Gribblenation

The early days of the Interstate Highway System were marked by significant changes and political maneuvering .  The short history of Interstate 82S (and 82N) is an overlooked example.  Born in 1957 during the original Interstate numbering plans, Interstates 82N and S, as well as their parent Interstate 82, were to run from Interstate 15 in Idaho (I-82N) and Utah (I-82S), respectively, to Interstate 5 in Portland, Oregon. The original (August 1957) approved Interstate system numbering.  These 'paper' designations would last less than a year as new corridors and some politicking would make changes, specifically to the Western I-82 and its two branches I-82N and I-82S.  There was an eastern I-82 proposed via a Scranton to New York City Corridor. Interstate 82 would split east of Heyburn, Idaho, with the north branch, I-82N, running to I-15 in Pocatello.  The southern branch (I-82S) would run southeast to I-15 near Tremonton, UT.  Yet, almost a year later, I-8...

Utah State Route 20 is a 20.492 mile State Highway which connects Interstate 15 in Iron County east to US Route 89 in Garfield County.  Utah State Route 20 ascends a gap between the Markagunt Plateau and Tushar Mountains which is aligned partially over the historic route of the Old Spanish Trail.  Utah State Route 20 is popular as a freight corridor and as a reliable means for traffic to approach Bryce Canyon National Park.    Part 1; the history of Utah State Route 20 As noted in the intro the corridor of Utah State Route 20 ("UT 20") is closely aligned with the Old Spanish Trail.  The Old Spanish Trail was a corridor established by Spanish explorers during the Las Californias period of the 18th Century between Santa Fe and Los Angeles.  The Old Spanish Trail progressing towards the American Period became well established and was largely incorporated into emigrant roads.  The Spanish Trail passed through the gap in the Markagunt Plateau and Tushar Mou...

Prior to the opening of Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge of Arizona traffic on US Route 91 had to contend with an elongated trip from Beaver Dam, Arizona to St. George, Utah over the Beaver Dam Mountains.  The trip was made even longer on the final jog from St. George to Washington by way of the Bigelow Tunnel.    Part 1; the history of US Route 91 between Beaver Dam, Arizona and Washington, Utah What ultimately became US Route 91 ("US 91") between Beaver Dam, Arizona and Washington, Utah was largely inherited from the Arrowhead Trail, Salt Lake-Los Angeles Road and the Mormon Road.   The Mormon Road was scouted by a party led by Jefferson Hunt which was searching for a supply route from Salt Lake City to Southern California through 1847-1848.  The Mormon Road ultimately utilized much of the established trade routes of the Old Spanish Trail through the Mojave Desert which took it over the Beaver Dam Mountains.  The Mormon Road was later reorgani...