Pescadero Memories

Hi June,

This article and photos appeared in the December, 1925, issue of “Highways and Public Works.”

NEW SECTION ADDS 12.3 MILES TO SKYLINE  BOULEVARD

Making accessible a district of distinct scenic attractiveness, 33 miles of the Skyline Boulevard have been graded and surfaced and are now open to travel. Acceptance by the California Highway Commission of the section built under the contract of J.P. Holland has made the La Honda Road, in San Mateo County, the present southern terminus of this new State Highway down the San Francisco Peninsula,

Opening of the La Honda connection has created much interest of residents of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties, for the reason that, though incomplete, the boulevard is now available as an alternate route into San Francisco. Congestion of the preent Peninsula highway has made additional highways highly desirable.

The completed section of the Skyline route now extends from the intersection of the Great Highway and Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco, along the low hills that border Merced Lake, southward into San Mateo County. It passes along the ridge forming the eastern watershed of the Spring Valley lakes, providing a magnificent panorama of ocean and bay, and of the city of San Francisco.

A feature of the location is the spectacular crossing of the massive concrete dam at the outlet of Crystal Lake, A reinforced concrete bridge was built across the crest of this dam, unique in design, because the approaches, in each direction, are the reverse of the arc of the bridge. Three sweeping curves were necessary in the bridge in a total of 608 feet. The width is thirty feet.

FORESTED AREA IS ATTRACTIVE

From the bridge the highway ascends the Half Moon Bay hill and from there to the La Honda Summit, passes through a section of unusual beauty. The natural forestation includes madrone, pine, oak, and magnificent redwood. At an elevation of 2,000 feet there is an inspiring view of the ocean to the westward, with beautiful rolling hills in the foreground, to the east may be seen lower San Francisco Bay and the cities of Upper Santa Clara Valley.

Farther south, the highway climbs to a maximum altitude of 2,342 feet, passing through a heavily timbered area where Redwood predominates. It is hard to believe this virgin wilderness, prior to the coming of the road, accessible only on foot or horseback, is but twenty-five miles from San Francisco. The boulevard continues through a region of interesting topography which recalls the higher mountains and the Humboldt coast, as one beautiful view follows another.

A wider road bed with extra parking space has been provided at points of particular interest.

The Skyline Boulevard, designated as Route 55, was added to the state highway system by the bond issue of 1919. Its importance as a possible future traffic outlet for San Francisco was recognized and, in 1922, it was included as a secondary road in the Federal aid system. The time will undoubtedly come when it will carry a considerable part of the Peninsula traffic.

FOUR CONTRACTS COMPLETED

To date, four Skyline contracts, the last of which was extended to provide a connection with a paved cross county road to better serve traffic, have been completed and accepted by the commission, as follows:

P. L. Burr, of San Francisco, grading and surfacing 7.42 miles, forty and thirty feet in width; awarded in January 1922; accepted in October, 1923; 185,000 yards of excavation; cost $252,000.

P.L. Burr, of San Francisco, grading and surfacing 13.42 miles; width of roadway thirty feet; awarded November, 1922; completed January, 1924; 316,000 yards of excavation; cost $426,000

J. H. Shepherd, of Stockton, construction of the Crystal Springs Dam bridge; awarded July, 1923; accepted January 1924; cost $52,000.

J. P. Holland, of San Francisco, grading and surfacing 6.4 miles; (original contract) awarded March, 1924; contract accepted January, 1925; total yardage moved 600,000; total cost $541,000.

The total expended on the route to date is approximately $1,300,000. One contract for placing guard rail is under way.

MODERN MACHINERY USED

The Holland contract, recently accepted, had many interesting features, not the least of which were the dispatch and efficiency with which the work was conducted. Automotive and steam equipment was used throughout, as high as five power shovels operating at one time. During one period of two weeks, 42,202 cubic yards of material were moved and placed in embankment. The maximum number of men employed was 106, and the thorough organization of men was evident at all times.

JOINT DISTRICT AIDS PROJECT

Progress in building the Skyline has been materially aided by Joint Highway District No. 1, composed of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. This district has procured and deeded to the states right of way and also has borne the expense of necessary fencing.

High standards have been adhered to on all completed sections. Between Sloat Boulevard and the La Honda road, there are only four curves with a radius of less then 200 feet, and in most instances much wider curves have been used to permit the longest possible vision of the road ahead. The maximum grade is slightly in excess of 6 percent; most of it is much less. Near San Francisco the grade has a width of forty feet. The minimum is thirty feet.

The crushed rock surfacing is kept smooth by constant maintenance. A heavy guard rail is being erected at various points along the route for protection of motorists in foggy weather. The route has been surveyed for its entire length to Woodwardia, a distance of 28.8 miles beyond the La Honda road. Plans have been completed for the section from the La Honda road to the Saratoga Gap, 13.9 miles, and are partially completed for the remaining 14.9 miles.

MAINTENANCE PLANNED

At Woodwardia, the Skyline connects with the Los Gatos-Santa Cruz state highway and also with the  county road to Santa Cruz via Soquel. Traversable sections between La Honda road and Woodwardia will be taken over for maintenance on January 1.

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