Editing Interstate 805 (section)

===Construction===
According to Dekema, planning for I-805 began in 1956.<ref name="breaking">{{cite news | title=Ceremonies Open Work on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 26, 1967 | page=C1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The original routing for I-805 was approved as an Interstate Highway in July 1958.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tsip/hseb/products/state_highway_routes_selected_information_1995_revised.pdf |title= State Highway Routes: Selected Information |publisher= California Department of Transportation |year= 1995 |page= 350}}</ref> It was added to the state highway system and the Freeway and Expressway System in 1959 as Route&nbsp;241.<ref name="yr1959">{{cite CAstat|year=1959|ch=1062}}</ref> I-805 was expected to reduce traffic on what was then US&nbsp;101 between Los Angeles and San Diego, when the former was opened.<ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. 101 Ranked Among Deadliest | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 14, 1962 | page=A36|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Route&nbsp;241 was renumbered to Route&nbsp;805 in the [[1964 state highway renumbering (California)|1964 state highway renumbering]], and I-5 was designated along the route from Los Angeles to San Diego.<ref>{{cite CAstat|year=1963|ch=385|p=1177}}</ref> Further planning was underway in 1965, with the goal to have the route built by 1972, the federal highway funding deadline.<ref>{{cite news | title=150 Additional Freeway Miles Scheduled for San Diego Area | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 21, 1965 | author=Parry, Bill | page=A31|oclc=13155544}}</ref> This was to be the first freeway in the area with no prior road along its route that it would replace; the goal was to provide a bypass around San Diego for those traveling to Mexico, and improve access for local residents. By June, houses along the route in the [[North Park, San Diego|North Park]] area were being sold, as the land was needed for the first stretch of the freeway to be constructed.<ref>{{cite news | title=Route 805 Hailed as 'Totally New' | work=The San Diego Union | date=June 6, 1965 | author=Parry, Bill | page=A13|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The next year, Dekema confirmed that the first portion of what was known as the Inland Freeway to be built would be between Home and Adams avenues.<ref>{{cite news | title=Dekema Predicts Completion of Inland Freeway by 1972 | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 3, 1966 | author=James, Paul | page=B4|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

In May 1967, [[Construction bidding|bidding]] began, after construction had been delayed by that of the I-5 and I-8 freeways, both of which had been given higher priority. This first portion would run from Wabash Boulevard to around Madison Avenue (a distance of {{convert|3.5|mi|km|disp=or|abbr=on}}), and the next portion would include the I-8 interchange.<ref>{{cite news | title=State Asks Bids for Freeway In E. San Diego | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 23, 1967 | author=Ross, Charles | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The R.E. Hazard and W.F. Maxwell Companies won the low bid of $11.7&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|11700000|1967|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) in mid-1967.<ref>{{cite news | title=S.D. Firms' Bid OKd for Freeway Job | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 23, 1967 | page=C7|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The groundbreaking ceremony happened on September 25 at El Cajon Boulevard and Boundary Street.<ref name="breaking" /> In August 1968, the portion of I-805 from just south of I-8 to north of Friars Road, including the interchange with I-8, was put up for bidding; at a budgeted $27.5&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|27500000|1968|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), it was the most expensive job that the Division of Highways had ever put up for bid.<ref>{{cite news | title=$27.1 Million Freeway Job Set for Bids | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 27, 1968 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The winning bid was $20.9&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|29400000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), and was awarded to R.E. Hazard Contracting Company and W.F. Maxwell Company.<ref>{{cite news | title=2 Area Firms Win Interchange Job | work=The San Diego Union | date=November 8, 1968 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

[[File:Aerial - Interstate 805 in San Diego, CA 01.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of I-805 near the SR&nbsp;15 interchange]]
Construction had begun on the viaduct by May 1969;<ref>{{cite news | title=New Mission Valley Span Beauty Cited | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 27, 1969 | author=Stone, Joe | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> in the meantime, National City was making plans for developing the freeway corridor with motels and restaurants, as well as a shopping center.<ref>{{cite news | title=National City Flexes Muscles for Growth | work=The San Diego Union | date=June 14, 1969 | page=B7|oclc=13155544}}</ref> In mid-1969, bidding was to begin on {{convert|3.2|mi|km}} of I-805 from north of Friars Road to north of what was then [[U.S. Route 395 in California|US 395]],<ref>{{cite news | title=Bids Called for Section of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 5, 1969 | page=C8|oclc=13155544}}</ref> which would become SR&nbsp;163.<ref>{{cite CAstat|year=1969|ch=294}}</ref> Construction from J&nbsp;Street south to near San Ysidro was underway by September, when there were concerns that an order from President [[Richard Nixon]] to reduce federal construction projects by 75&nbsp;percent might affect funding for the portion north of Friars Road. However, Governor [[Ronald Reagan]] lifted the associated freeze in construction at the state level a few weeks later.<ref>{{cite news | title=San Diego Freeway Work Hit by Action | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 5, 1969 | page=A8|oclc=13155544}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Construction OKd on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 17, 1969 | author=Clance, Homer | page=A1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> A month later, the contract for the portion between Friars Road and US&nbsp;395 had been awarded for $15&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}); the portions between there and north of Miramar Road were in the planning phases, while construction continued south of I-8 to Wabash Boulevard.<ref>{{cite news | title=$15 Million Pact Let for Freeways | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 9, 1969 | author=Scott-Blair, Michael | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The {{convert|2.4|mi|km|adj=on}} portion from SR&nbsp;52 to Miramar Road had been contracted out to O.G. Sansome Company for $5.6&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|5600000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) by the end of 1969.<ref>{{cite news | title=Riverside Firm Wins Contract for Road Work | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 21, 1969 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Meanwhile, $4&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|4000000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) of state funding was spent in 1969 to find housing for those who were to be displaced by the freeway in San Ysidro.<ref>{{cite news | title=San Ysidro's Replacement Homes Studied | work=The San Diego Union | date=November 8, 1969 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

By March 1970, the original section between Home Avenue and near I-8 was almost finished. The Mission Valley portion extending north of US&nbsp;395, as well as from Otay Valley Road and J Street in Chula Vista, were still under construction.<ref>{{cite news | title=Highway Office Reports on Area Freeway Progress | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 15, 1970 | page=B4|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The portion immediately north of US&nbsp;395 was contracted to A.A. Baxter Corporation, E.C. Young, and Young and Sons, Inc. for $7.9&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news | title=Highway Pact Awarded | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 19, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7900000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). On July 6, the first section to begin construction was dedicated, and was to be opened from El Cajon Boulevard to Wabash Boulevard soon thereafter; the rest of the section would not open until the Mission Valley interchange with I-8 was finished.<ref>{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Link Dedicated | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 7, 1970 |  page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

A second border crossing in the San Ysidro area was proposed near the [[Playas de Tijuana]] area, that would be accessible from I-805, although another alternative was considered near [[Brown Field Municipal Airport|Brown Field]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Border Entry Urged Near [[Brown Field Municipal Airport|Brown Field]] | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 15, 1970 |  page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> A formal study on the matter was commissioned in August.<ref>{{cite news | title=City Council Airs New 805 Route | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 26, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> However, this would have added $10&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10000000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) to the cost of the freeway, and possibly delay it by up to 10&nbsp;years; furthermore, most traffic crossing the border was found to head to [[Tijuana]] and not [[Ensenada, Baja California|Ensenada]].<ref>{{cite news | title=$10 Million Loss Seen in 805 Rerouting | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 1, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Following this, the city of Chula Vista asked that the state proceed with the original plans to construct the freeway, even though it would pass through a San Ysidro neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news | title=Chula Vista Urges Early Road Work | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 10, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

In September 1970, bidding began for the final portion of the northern half of I-805 between Miramar Road and I-5;<ref>{{cite news | title=Bids Sought for 805 Link | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 24, 1970 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}}</ref> a month later, the segments between Home Avenue and SR&nbsp;94, and SR&nbsp;54 to 12th&nbsp;Street had funding allocated.<ref>{{cite news | title=State Highway Commission Adopts $905 Million Budget | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 23, 1970 | page=B9|oclc=13155544}}</ref> By the end of the year, Hazard, Maxwell, and Matich had submitted the low bid of around $7.2&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7200000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) for the northernmost portion.<ref>{{cite news | title=Bids Taken by State on 2 Highways | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 17, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The Chula Vista portion of the freeway from Main Street to L&nbsp;Street was completed in February 1971; by then, the estimated date for completing the entire freeway had slipped to 1975 from 1972.<ref>{{cite news | title=Dedication Set for Part of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 25, 1971 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> By March, the projected completion date for the Mission Valley bridge was revised to July 1972.<ref>{{cite news | title=Gap Closed on Mission Valley Bridge | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 16, 1971 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> A 102-home [[mobile home park]] was approved by the City Council a few weeks later to house those who were displaced by the freeway construction.<ref>{{cite news | title=Mobile Home Park Readied in San Ysidro | work=The San Diego Union | date=April 9, 1971 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref>

The portion of the freeway from Otay Valley Road to Telegraph Canyon Road opened during 1972.<ref name="band">{{cite news | title=Completion Date Fixed in August | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 19, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> On October 22, several unconstructed portions of I-805 were partially funded, including from Chula Vista south past [[California State Route 75|SR&nbsp;75]], north of the completed Chula Vista portion to SR&nbsp;54, from SR&nbsp;54 to Plaza Boulevard in National City, from there to SR&nbsp;94 (including the interchange with [[SR&nbsp;252 (CA)|SR&nbsp;252]]), and from there to Home Avenue.<ref>{{cite news | title=$60 Million Due County for Roads | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 23, 1971 | pages=B1, B2|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Before the end of the year, the portion from SR&nbsp;94 to Home Avenue entered the bidding phase;<ref>{{cite news | title=State Asks Bids on Section of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 15, 1971 | page=D4|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Guy F. Atkinson Company won the contract for roughly $9.96&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|9960000|1972|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) in early 1972.<ref>{{cite news | title=Long Beach Firm Awarded Contract | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 26, 1972 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}}</ref> Following a request from the El Cajon City Council,<ref>{{cite news | title=El Cajon Council to Ask Cycling on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 2, 1972 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> March 19 was set aside as a Community Cycle Day for bicyclists to travel the newly finished freeway from El Cajon Boulevard to SR&nbsp;52, just before the freeway was to be dedicated the next day;<ref>{{cite news | title=Route 805 Bicycle Day Set March 19 | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 8, 1972 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> during the event, around 30 people had injured themselves, and police estimated that some bicyclists had attained speeds of up to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} traveling down the hill leading to the Mission Valley Viaduct.<ref>{{cite news |last = Alice |first = Matthew |date = September 19, 2002 |title = Tell Me About the Day We Could bicycle Down the 805 freeway |work = San Diego Reader |url= https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2002/sep/19/tell-me-about-day-we-could-bicycle-down-805-freewa/ |access-date = November 18, 2021 }}</ref> The entire Mission Valley Viaduct was open to traffic that month.<ref name="band" />
[[File:I-805 San Diego Skyline.jpg|thumb|I-805 northbound in Chula Vista, with the San Diego skyline in the background]]
By the beginning of 1974, I-805 was open north of Home Avenue, and from Otay Valley Road to Telegraph Canyon Road in Chula Vista;<ref name="band" /> five segments remaining were under construction, and the last segment was funded.<ref>{{cite news | title=Public's Mood Shifts away from Freeways | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 8, 1974 | page=X16|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The Imperial Avenue section of I-805 remained in the budget, despite revisions in response to the [[1973 oil crisis]].<ref>{{cite news | title=County Road Share Set at $30 Million | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 12, 1974 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> In late January, I-805 between SR&nbsp;15 and SR&nbsp;94 was opened to traffic, though not all of the ramps at the SR&nbsp;94 interchange were operational.<ref>{{cite news | title=New Highway Link to Open | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 28, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The connectors to SR&nbsp;94 east were completed in March.<ref>{{cite news | title=805 Open to State 94 | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 7, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The entire portion between SR&nbsp;94 and Home Avenue cost $10.5&nbsp;million<ref name="band" /> (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10500000|1974|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). Construction between SR&nbsp;94 and Imperial Avenue was well under way by December, at a cost of $8.5&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Continues Southward Advance | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 13, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}</ref> (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|8500000|1974|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}).

As the scheduled completion of the freeway neared, Mayor Tom Hamilton of Chula Vista expressed concerns regarding the predicted development of the I-805 corridor, and the decisions that the City Council would need to make regarding such plans.<ref>{{cite news | title=Mayor Foresees Scramble for Sites as I-805 Develops | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 12, 1975 | author=Scaglione, Cecil | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> The portion south of Otay Valley Road cost $15&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), and the portion between Telegraph Canyon Road and Sweetwater Road cost&nbsp;$12 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|12000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). The portion from there to Imperial Avenue was projected to cost $10.2&nbsp;million<ref name="band" /> (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10200000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). The dedication of the freeway took place on July 23, 1975, even though the freeway was not entirely finished, due to the desire to hold the ceremony during the summer.<ref>{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Dedicated but Opening Date Delayed | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 24, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> I-805 from Plaza Boulevard to Telegraph Canyon Road opened to traffic on July 28, leaving the freeway complete except for the portion between Plaza Boulevard and SR&nbsp;94. While portions of the freeway were nearly ready for traffic, there were reports of motorists driving on the closed freeway, which the [[California Highway Patrol]] warned was illegal.<ref>{{cite news | title=Unopened 805 Usage Prohibited | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 29, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref> On September 3, Dekema announced that the entirety of the freeway would open the next day as he made a final inspection of the unopened portion; the total cost of the construction was $145&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|145000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). However, Dekema announced that there was no more state funding available to construct further roads for the short-term.<ref>{{cite news | title=Officials Say Interstate 805 Is End of Road for Funds | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 4, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}</ref>