Un-constructed California State Route 235

On my frequent travels through Stockton over the years on California State Route 99 and Interstate 5 I have noted the oddity of un-constructed California State Route 235. CA 235 was meant to connect CA 99 to I-5 via what is now Hammer Lane.

According to CAhighways.org the precursor route to un-built CA 235 was planned as LRN 260 which was adopted in 1959.

CAhighways.org on LRN 260

The planned route of LRN 260 first appears on the 1960 State Highway City Insert and is shown north of Stockton intersecting Lower Sacramento Street and Thorton Street heading west from US 99/US 50/LRN 4 to LRN 238 (future I-5).

1960 State Highway Map City Insert

When LRN 260 was initially designated it wasn't long before Signed County Route J8 had been applied over Hammer Lane west from US 99/US 50 to Thorton Street in 1960. J8 continued northward onto a terminus in south Sacramento.

CAhighways.org on Signed County Route J8

At the time LRN 260 and CR J8 had been created Hammer Lane only existed west from US 99 to Thorton Street. By the 1964 State Highway Renumbering LRN 260 had been re-designated as part of the future CA 235. This change can been seen by comparing the 1963 State Highway Map City Insert to the 1964 Edition.

1963 State Highway Map City Insert

1964 State Highway Map City Insert

For reference even the 1935 Division of Highways Map of San Joaquin County shows Hammer Lane extending west from US 99/US 50 to Thorton Street.

1935 San Joaquin County Highway Map

According to CAhighways.org before Hammer Lane was extended to I-5 the traversable route of un-built CA 235 was listed as Eight Mile Road. According to CAhighways.org San Joaquin County dropped interest in CA 235 November of 1993 when Eight Mile Road was adopted as a County Maintained arterial street. Interestingly the un-built CA 235 shows on the 1990 State Highway Map City Insert still being aligned over Hammer Lane.

1990 State Highway Map City Insert

For reference Hammer Lane appears to have been completed to I-5 was the route is shown extended west to the Interstate on Historicaerials.com by comparing the 1977 topographical map of Stockton to the 1980 edition.

Despite not being actively sought by San Joaquin County the planned route of CA 235 never has been legislatively dropped and appears on the 2005 State Highway Map City Insert.

2005 State Highway Map City Insert

For reference Hammer Lane is accessible from CA 99 Exit 258 and I-5 Exit 478. The photos below are from CA 99 northbound approaching Hammer Lane.

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