Editing Interstate 8 (section)

===Cuyamaca Mountains===
{{see also|U.S. Route 80 in California}}

====Early road====
[[Image:Old US 80 West of Descanso Junction.JPG|thumb|left|A section of old US&nbsp;80 (Wildwood Glen Lane) now closed to vehicular traffic west of [[Descanso, California|Descanso Junction]]]]

A [[stagecoach road]] existed into the 19th&nbsp;century that passed through the mountains east of San Diego.<ref name="grade">{{cite news |title = I-8 grade challenges the motorist |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 9, 1985 |last = McVicar |first = Jim |page = II7 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Before the freeway was constructed, the automobile road through the mountains east of San Diego was narrow and wound through the mountains; it was officially dedicated in 1912.<ref name="fruition">{{cite news |title = San Diego-Yuma Freeway Dream Nearing Fruition |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 19, 1970 |last = McVicar |first = Jim |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref><ref name="newroadlink"/> This trip was known to take up to four hours, and frequently resulted in the [[Radiator#Engine cooling|radiator]] boiling over, flat tires, or broken [[fan belt]]s; inclement weather would result in cars becoming mired in the mud. The road was paved in 1926, and was open by 1927; remnants of this road were still present in the late 20th&nbsp;century. Another road was built in the early 1930s, to remove curves and widen the lanes.<ref name="grade"/> This was a two-lane road that still had many [[hairpin turn|switchbacks]], with one popularly known as "Dead Man's Curve".<ref>{{cite news |title = Out of Way-side Ellis Rest stop still remembered |work = The San Diego Union |date = March 7, 1985 |last = McVicar |first = Jim |page = B4 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Construction of I-8 took place atop much of the roadbed of the highway from the early 1930s.<ref name="grade"/> The delay in extending a road to San Diego caused increased development in Los Angeles and resulted in that city becoming the trade and population center of Southern California, according to the ''[[San Diego Union-Tribune|San Diego Union]]''.<ref name="finally">{{cite news |title = Last Section Of Interstate 8 To Yuma Opens Thursday |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 25, 1975 |last = Harrison |first = Donald |page = B10 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

====Planning and construction====
Completion of the freeway was the second highest priority according to the Highway Development Association in May 1963, after the I-5 freeway.<ref>{{cite news |title = Top Priority Urged On S.D, Oceanside Freeway Sections |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 28, 1963 |page = A18 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Bidding began on the portion from Broadway in El Cajon to Harritt Road in September 1963. This section of the freeway was to parallel [[U.S. Route 80 in California|US&nbsp;80]] to the south up to Lakeview Road, and then to the north.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Bids For US&nbsp;80 Extension Asked |date = September 24, 1963 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> This portion of the freeway was scheduled to be complete by May 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title = San Diego County Freeway System |work = The San Diego Union |date = February 22, 1965 |page = A3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> By January 1965, I-8 had been completed from I-5 east to an interchange with Lake Jennings Park Road,<ref>{{cite news |title = Freeway System Big, Growing |work = The San Diego Union |date = January 7, 1965 |last = Van Denburgh |first = Russell |page = C6 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> just south of the latter's intersection with the southern terminus of Harritt Road.<ref name="tgsd"/> At a cost of $3.44&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3446265|1965|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars),{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} the project reduced the grade and curves at what was known as "Tunnel Hill" that hindered the flow of traffic.<ref>{{cite journal |title = I-8 East of El Cajon |author = California Division of Highways |journal = California Highways and Public Works |date = September 1965 |volume = 44 |issue = 5 |pages = 40–41 |oclc = 7511628 }}</ref> The part of the freeway from west of Harritt Road to west of Alpine was up for bidding in October 1964,<ref>{{cite news |title = State To Ask Bids On Alpine Road Link |work = The San Diego Union |date = October 13, 1964 |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> and the Highway Commission set aside $2.1&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|2100000|1964|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} for this {{convert|1.6|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} stretch in February 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title = Money For Freeway West Of Alpine OKd |work = The San Diego Union |date = February 25, 1965 |author = Staff |page = A33 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> A contract for $1.42&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1420000|1965|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} was issued in August 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title = State Awards Freeway Job |work = The San Diego Union |date = August 7, 1965 |page = B20 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The entire {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch from Lake Jennings Road to Harbison Canyon Road was under construction by September 1965 and was scheduled to be complete by the next year.<ref>{{cite news |title = Work Set To Start On New Freeway Link |work = The San Diego Union |date = September 29, 1965 |page = A21 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

In the Mountain Springs pass between San Diego and Imperial counties, the eastbound lanes traverse the pass on the former roadbed of US&nbsp;80 through [[In-Ko-Pah Gorge]] near [[Myer Creek (Coyote Wash tributary)|Myers Creek]]. The westbound lanes were placed on a different routing through [[Devils Canyon (Jacumba Mountains)|Devil's Canyon]] that had been constructed by November 1963. A contract for paving the {{convert|9.7|mi|km}} from the San Diego–Imperial county line to SR&nbsp;98, including the eastbound lanes, was given to the Isbell Construction Company for $3.69&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3690000|1963|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} in May 1963. This portion was completed in May 1965 "through some of the most rugged, hottest sections of San Diego and Imperial counties," according to ''The San Diego Union''. Construction ran into difficulties following concerns regarding potential landslides. The westbound lanes were built first, and temporarily contained both directions of traffic while the old highway was converted into the eastbound lanes.<ref name="lowroadbid">{{Cite news |title = State Reviews Low Road Bid For US&nbsp;80 |date = November 13, 1963 |work = The San Diego Union |page = A17 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Jacumba Grade Opens Tomorrow |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 2, 1965 |page = A22 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described the stretch east of Mountain Springs as follows: "Through it the freeway engineers have hacked two separate roadways not even in sight of each other, but so overpowering in the sheer magnitude of the cuts through the mountains that it is almost impossible to believe human beings could have so overpowered hostile nature&nbsp;...."<ref name="jacumba">{{cite news |title = Jacumba Ready For Big Moment |work = Los Angeles Times |date = May 22, 1966 |last = Ainsworth |first = Ed |page = F6 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> Access to the site for construction workers was difficult, and many slopes had to be stabilized. Temperatures reached {{convert|120|F|C}} in the summer and {{convert|4|F|C}} in winter, with winds reaching up to {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal |title = Mountain Springs Grade |author = California Division of Highways |journal = California Highways and Public Works |date = January 1964 |volume = 43 |issue = 1 |pages = 43–44 |oclc = 7511628 }}</ref> While [[Project Plowshare|using nuclear explosions to conduct blasting operations]] in the Laguna Mountains was considered as a possibility, the proposal was not considered to be practical at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Atom Blasts Won't Build New US&nbsp;80 |last = Zimmerman, Robert |date = March 26, 1963 |work = The San Diego Union |page = A11 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Two cables and a hook were used to move girders into place; this was the first use of a cable in Southern California road construction.<ref>{{cite news |title = Steel Is Taming Devil's Canyon |work = The San Diego Union |date = March 9, 1963 |author = Kaye, Peter |page = A1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

The portion from Boulevard to near the Imperial County line was included in the California Highway Commission budget for 1965–1966.<ref>{{Cite news |title = $42&nbsp;Million County Road Fund OKd |date = October 30, 1964 |work = The San Diego Union |pages = A1–A2 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> A {{convert|6.7|mi|km|adj=on}} extension from Mountain Springs west to what was then known as Road J-35 was given $3.3&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3300000|1965|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} in funding by the Highway Commission in May 1965.<ref>{{Cite news |title = $12&nbsp;Million Allocated for Work on Freeways |date = May 27, 1965 |work = Los Angeles Times |page = A2 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> The {{convert|10|mi|km|adj=on}} section in between this one and the Mountain Springs pass section was in planning by that September, and was scheduled to begin the building phase shortly thereafter, with the section extending west of Boulevard to follow.<ref>{{cite news |title = Bids To Be Sought For Building Freeway In Laguna Mountains |work = The San Diego Union |date = September 14, 1965 |page = A15 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> That section, from Crestwood to Boulevard, was to begin construction soon after the $3&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3000000|1966|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} contract was given out in January 1966.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Contract Let For $3&nbsp;Million US&nbsp;80 Job |date = January 29, 1966 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The coming of the freeway from both west and east of Jacumba was projected to be a significant event in the history of the town.<ref name="jacumba"/> Cafes and gas stations went out of business once the freeway bypassed the town; however, many retirees relocated into the town since the high traffic levels were gone.<ref name="finally"/> The labeling of the town Boulevard as Manzanita on I-8 signs raised controversy and forced the Division of Highways to obscure the name on the signs until the issue was resolved.<ref>{{cite news |title = Community's Name Argument Resumes |work = Los Angeles Times |date = August 1, 1967 |author = Staff |page = A2 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref>

Construction continued with the issuing of a $6.55&nbsp;million contract (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|6550000|1967|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} to widen a {{convert|5.7|mi|km|adj=on}} section of I-8 through Alpine, from Harbison Canyon to east of West Victoria Drive, and to begin construction in April or May 1967, to be completed in 1969. This would leave only a {{convert|30|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of I-8 that was not at freeway standards.<ref>{{Cite news |title = $6.5&nbsp;Million Road Job Let |date = April 18, 1967 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Contract Let for Segment of Freeway |work = Los Angeles Times |date = May 1, 1967 |author = Staff |page = 28 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> As the process continued, concerns about increased smog from the additional traffic were raised in October 1967.<ref>{{cite news |title = Smog Problem Eyed By El Cajon Council |work = The San Diego Union |date = October 20, 1967 |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> A {{convert|3.7|mi|km|adj=on}} section to the east of Alpine was scheduled to have bidding opened in November of that year, and was to be finished in 1968; this would produce a continuous freeway from San Diego to the eastern terminus of this route.<ref>{{cite news |title = Bid Opening Set on Interstate 8 |work = Los Angeles Times |date = October 22, 1967 |author = Staff |page = 26 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> Both of these projects were underway by May 1968.<ref>{{cite news |title = Freeway Building Continues To Tie In County Cities |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 12, 1968 |page = B4 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> An additional contract was given out for $7.8&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7800000|1968|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} in August to continue the freeway east from Alpine Street to Japatul Valley Road; this would bring the freeway near Descanso Junction.<ref>{{cite news |title = 3-Mile Interstate 8 Freeway Job Let |work = The San Diego Union |date = August 23, 1968 |page = B8 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Roughly {{convert|5.5|e6cuyd|e6m3}} of dirt and rock were to be generated by all three of these construction projects, since half of a mountain would have to be removed with a million pounds of dynamite. The third project was built near the site of an abandoned attempt to build a tunnel for the old highway after World War II, which proved to be too expensive.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Million Points of Dynamite Slated to Clear Way for Interstate 8 Route |last = Hudson |first = Ken |date = September 8, 1968 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B2 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

[[File:I-8 Alpine.jpg|thumb|right|I-8 in Alpine]]

By mid-February 1969, one segment of the freeway running through Alpine was nearing completion and was scheduled to open on February&nbsp;21; another section was scheduled to open in April. However, although dirt and rocks were transported on a conveyor belt across US&nbsp;80 to become part of an embankment for the [[Sweetwater River Bridge]], the grading of the mountain near Viejas Grade and the Sweetwater River had not been completed on the final link. The historic Ellis Grade radiator stop was to be removed and replaced with one at Vista Point.<ref>{{cite news |title = Interstate 8 Alpine Section Opens April 21 |work = The San Diego Union |date = February 12, 1969 |last = Hudson |first = Ken |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> On April&nbsp;19, 1969, the part {{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of Alpine opened to traffic.<ref>{{cite news |title = Freeway Link Opens At Alpine |work = The San Diego Union |date = April 20, 1969 |page = B2 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> All of the Alpine part of I-8 opened on May&nbsp;22, 1969, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony; yet the Viejas Grade segment was now projected to be completed by 1972.<ref name="alpinee">{{cite news |title = Interstate 8 Section Opened Near Alpine |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 23, 1969 |last = Hudson |first = Ken |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The bridge over the Sweetwater River was under construction by 1970,<ref>{{cite news |title = Mountain Freeway Link Progresses |work = The San Diego Union |date = January 25, 1970 |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> and the entire segment cost $22.1&nbsp;million<ref name="bidformore">{{Cite news |title = County Freeways Dealt $47&nbsp;Million |date = April 24, 1970 |work = The San Diego Union |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|22100000|1970|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} By May, this segment was estimated to be completed in the later part of that year.<ref name="fruition"/> The leveling of the grade resulted in the second highest fill in the state at {{convert|360|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway Group Gets Scenic Tour |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 26, 1970 |last = Stone |first = Joe |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

====Finishing the freeway====
The final portion of I-8 in California, between Japatul Valley Road and west of Boulevard, was prioritized in the 1969–1970 state budget.<ref>{{cite news |title = 18 Highway Projects Get Top Priority |work = The San Diego Union |date = March 19, 1968 |last = Clance |first = Homer |page = C1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Due to financial concerns, it was announced in September 1968 that the target date for completing the [[Interstate Highway System]] would be extended until 1974, from 1972. The missing portion of I-8 was expected to cost $45&nbsp;million and be constructed in three parts, with one part being started each year.<ref>{{cite news |title = Area's Freeways Losing Race With The Population |work = The San Diego Union |date = September 22, 1968 |page = B4 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The segments between Japatul Valley Road and west of Laguna Junction, and from La Posta Road to west of Boulevard, were delayed for an entire year at the end of 1969 due to a nationwide effort to fight inflation by reducing spending.<ref>{{Cite news |title = $26.8&nbsp;Million Freeway Jobs OKd in County |date = October 22, 1969 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> A {{convert|6.6|mi|km|adj=on}} segment from Buckman Springs to Crestwood received funding in May 1970, which would leave only an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the freeway uncompleted when built.<ref name="bidformore"/> The drive time from San Diego to El Centro had been reduced to two hours, according to the California Division of Highways.<ref name="fruition"/> By August 1970, the remainder of the freeway had been funded, with the part from Japatul Valley Road to Laguna Junction costing $22&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|22000000|1970|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars),{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} and the Laguna Junction to Crestwood portion costing $15&nbsp;million<ref>{{Cite news |title = Area Freeway Work Costs $107.5&nbsp;Million |last = Clance |first = Homer |date = August 9, 1970 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1970|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}}

In May 1971, El Centro Mayor Alex Gay requested that passing lanes be added to the remaining two-lane part of I-8 in between El Centro and San Diego due to the frequent traffic jams in between Japatul Valley and Crestwood. At this time, this was the only missing link through the mountains.<ref>{{cite news |title = Improving of Highway Link Sought |work = The San Diego Union |date = May 10, 1971 |author = Staff |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> Bidding took place on the $16.5&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|16500000|1971|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} La Posta Road to Crestwood Road and the Japatul Valley Road to Sunrise Highway portions in November 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title = Interstate 8 Bids Called By State |work = The San Diego Union |date = November 26, 1971 |author = Staff |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> As part of this series of projects, the highest concrete bridge in the state at the time was to be built at {{convert|430|ft|m|abbr=on}} over Pine Valley Creek on the segment between Japatul Valley Road and Sunrise Highway. The contract came in at $22.6&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|22600000|1972|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars),{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} over $5&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|5000000|1972|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} beyond budget due to the difficulty of the bridge construction. All three of the projects to complete I-8 were projected to be complete by mid-1974.<ref>{{cite news |title = 430-Foot-High Bridge Planned For Route 8 |work = The San Diego Union |date = February 20, 1972 |last = Stewart |first = John |page = B3 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> However, in March 1972, it was announced that the La Posta Road portion of the project would be delayed due to budget troubles.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Money Problems Delay $150&nbsp;Million in Freeway Work |last = Kistler |first = Robert |date = March 29, 1972 |work = Los Angeles Times |page = A1 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref>

By the beginning of 1974, the new projected completion date for I-8 was mid-1975, with {{convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on}} of two-lane highway remaining.<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 Pine Valley Creek bridge and the segment extending from Japatul Valley Road to Pine Valley was dedicated on November&nbsp;24, 1974, and was scheduled to open on November&nbsp;26; this left {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on}} of freeway to be constructed.<ref>{{cite news |title = Pine Valley Creek Bridge Dedicated |work = The San Diego Union |date = November 24, 1974 |pages = B1, B4 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The final stretch of I-8 in California, from Sunrise Highway to La Posta Road, was completed in May 1975.<ref name="finally"/>

The Buckman Springs rest area opened in January 1979 in eastern San Diego County.<ref>{{cite news |title = San Diego |work = Los Angeles Times |date = January 18, 1979 |page = SD2 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> In 1987, the first {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} speed limit sign was posted east of El Cajon, the first one in the state; the speed limit on all I-8 east of El Cajon, except for the Mountain Springs Grade portion, was raised similarly.<ref>{{Cite news |title = 1st 65&nbsp;mph Sign Put Up East of El Cajon |last = Padilla, Steve |date = May 30, 1987 |work = The San Diego Union |page = B1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>