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Interstate 805

Recently while visiting the San Diego Area I drove a portion of Interstate 805 in northern San Diego to California State Route 163.


I-805 is a 28 mile spur route of I-5 which begins in northern San Diego and ends near the Mexican Border in the southern extent of the City in San Ysidro.  I-805 was approved as a chargeable Interstate in 1958 and was added to State Highway System as Legislative Route Number 241 in 1959 according to CAhighways.org.

CAhighways.org on I-805

The planned route of I-805 on LRN 241 first appears on the 1960 State Highway City Insert.

1960 State Highway Map City Insert

According to CAhighways.org construction of I-805 began in 1966 and was completed by 1975.  The 1970 State Highway Map City Insert shows I-805 under construction between CA 274 south to CA 15 (future CA 15) and in Chula Vista.

1970 State Highway Map City Insert

I-805 is shown as fully completed on the 1975 State Highway Map City Insert.

1975 State Highway Map City Insert

My approach to I-805 was on southbound I-5 in northern San Diego.  I-805 is known as the "Jacob Dekema Freeway" and was named after a long term Division of Highways/Caltrans engineer who served from 1938 to 1980.




Signage on I-805 south indicates I-8 is 10 miles away and the International Border on I-5 as 30 miles away.


Exit numbers on I-805 descend starting from Exit 27 at Mira Mesa Boulevard/Sorrento Valley Road.


Many freeways in San Diego including I-805 contain somewhat ornate modern bridge designs such as the Eastgate Mall overpass.



Exit 25B on I-805 south accesses Miramar Road and La Jolla Village Drive.


Exit 24 on I-805 south accesses Governor Road.


The first major junction on I-805 south is at Exit 23 which accesses CA 52/San Clemente Canyon Freeway.




Exit 22 on I-805 south accesses Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.


At Exit 21 I-805 south accesses Balboa Avenue which is former CA 274.  All of CA 274 was deleted in 1999 and relinquished by 2001.


At Exit 20 I-805 meets former US 395 on CA 163/Cabrillo Freeway.  I turned south on CA 163 and headed towards downtown San Diego.



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