California State Route 149

While traveling through Sacramento Valley earlier this month I drove the entirety of California State Route 149.

CA 149 is a short 5 mile expressway completely located within Butte County. CA 149 starts at CA 99 near Chico and travels southeast towards CA 70 near Oroville. CA 149 was part of Legislative Route Number 87 which was created by the State Legislature in 1933 according to CAhighways.org.

CAhighways.org on CA 149

A state maintained LRN 87 appears on the 1934 State Highway Map between Chico and Oroville.

1934 State Highway Map

During the 1964 State Highway Renumbering LRN 87 between Chico and Oroville (technically Wicks Corner) was assigned CA 149. CA 149 does not appear to have been signed in 1964.

1963 State Highway Map

1964 State Highway Map

CA 149 first appears on the 1969 State Highway Map as a signed route.

1969 State Highway Map

CA 149 was part of what was known as the "East Valley Corridor." The East Valley Corridor consisted of CA 99, CA 70, CA 149 and CA 149 north of Sacramento which was meant to be a full corridor alternate of I-5 consisting of freeways/expressways. Much of the East Valley Corridor was built but some notable segments like a bypass of Marysville and a segments north of Chico were never constructed to CAhighways.org.

My path on CA 149 southward towards CA 70 from CA 99 near Chico. CA 149 maintains a flat grade with a left exit at the junction with CA 99 and begins to head southeast towards the Sierra Foothills. Despite appearances in the photos CA 149 isn't a full freeway and includes several at-grade intersections.

CA 149 is signed as the "Lt. Larry Estes Deputy Bill Hunter Memorial Highway."

Oroville is signed as being 10 miles to the south along CA 149.

CA 149 ends at CA 70. The ramp for CA 70 east is signed showing the highway connects to CA 191.

The junction of CA 149 and CA 70 is signed as "Wicks Corner Interchange."

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