The US Route 395 Business Route through Ridgecrest is approximately 16 miles long. The Business Route begins at the US Route 395/California State Route 178 interchange near Inyokern. The Business Route multiplexes eastbound California State Route 178 on Inyokern Road and China Lake Boulevard to the intersection Ridgecrest Boulevard. California State Route 178 continues east towards Trona on Ridgecrest Boulevard whereas US Route 395 Business continues south on locally maintained China Lake Boulevard to mainline US Route 395.
The US Route 395 Business Route was approved by AASHTO on June 7, 1989, which makes it the newest such designation in California. The highway is distinct in that it is aligned over a segment of road which never served as part of mainline US Route 395. The Business Route is in places mistakenly signed with California State Route 395 shields.
Part 1; the history of US Route 395 Business in Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest is a relatively young community having been founded as Crumville in 1912. The community's name was intended to honor local dairymen James and Robert Crum. Early Crumville would almost entirely be centered around farming. Crumville is largely omitted from almost every Kern County map from the 1910s through the 1930s.
Crumville was not initially served by any State Highway as nearby Legislative Route Number 23 served the nearby community of Inyokern along Brown Road. Brown Road would briefly become a segment of the original California State Route 7 when the initial run of Sign State Routes would be announced in the August 1934 California Highways & Public Works. This designation would be soon usurped by the extension of US Route 395 to San Diego before the end of the year.
Crumville would be renamed as "Ridgecrest" in 1941 when the community would obtain Post Office Service. During November 1943 the Naval Ordinance Test Station would be established near Ridgecrest at China Lake. The establishment of the Naval base led to Ridgecrest being formally plotted out. During 1947 the era of State Highway service in the community began when Legislative Route Number 212 was added by Legislative Chapter 13.
Legislative Route Number 212 would be defined as a State Highway between the "Nevada-California state line in the southern portion of Pahrump Valley to Legislative Route Number 23 (US Route 395) near Freeman." Within Ridgecrest the highway followed Inyokern Road, China Lake Boulevard and Ridgecrest Boulevard. The 1948 Division of Highways Map displays Legislative Route Number 212 continuing east of Ridgecrest to near Trona where an unconstructed portion can be seen planned to cross Searles Valley towards Wingate Pass.
Ridgecrest would incorporate as a city on November 29, 1963. Legislative Route Number 212 would be assigned as a segment of California State Route 178 as part of the wider 1964 State Highway Renumbering. California State Route 178 can be seen serving Ridgecrest for the first time on the 1964 Division of Highways Map.
Ridgecrest would see a population boom during the 1970s and reached 15,929 residents by the 1980 census. On January 4, 1989, the Ridgecrest city council formally requested Caltrans submit a request to the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the designation of US Route 395 Business. The Caltrans application dated February 24, 1989, was considered and approved by the AASHTO Executive Committee on June 7, 1989.
The US Route 395 Business Route through Ridgecrest is approximately 16 miles long. The Business Route begins at the US Route 395/California State Route 178 interchange near Inyokern. US Route 395 Business multiplexes eastbound California State Route 178 on Inyokern Road and China Lake Boulevard to the intersection Ridgecrest Boulevard. California State Route 178 continues east towards Trona on Ridgecrest Boulevard whereas US Route 395 Business continues south on locally maintained China Lake Boulevard to mainline US Route 395.
US Route 395 Business is the newest US Business Route in California approved by AASHTO. The corridor is also distinct in that it is aligned on roadway segments which were never part of the mainline US Route 395.
Part 2; exploring US Route 395 Business in Ridgecrest
Below westbound California State Route 178 along Ridgecrest Boulevard can be seen approaching China Lake Boulevard. California State Route 178 can be seen turning north via a right-hand turn. Traffic wishing to access US Route 395 is advised both directions on China Lake Boulevard can be used to reach it. There is no Business Route signage at this intersection.
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