Business Loop I-80 Sacramento - California Travel Information
EASTBOUND Business Loop I-80 Sacramento
Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 50/Capital City Freeway east (Interstate 305)
We begin our journey on Business Loop I-80/U.S. 50 east after Interstate 80 splits to the northeast to bypass Sacramento. The business loop freeway begins in West Sacramento (as of the 2000 Census, 31,615 call West Sacramento home). The first guide sign along eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 is an upcoming exits mileage sign and an upcoming cities mileage sign. The upcoming cities mileage sign indicates the distance to foothill city Placerville (the first traffic light along eastbound U.S. 50, in fact), South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada state line, and the eastern terminus of U.S. 50 in Ocean City, Maryland! It's only 3,073 miles away from this point, on the other side of the country. The sign reads that the distance is 3,037 miles (see 2003 photo), but that is an error on the part of the manufacturer. U.S. 50 takes 3,073 miles to cross the country (see 2007 photo). This sign has since been corrected. A similar mileage sign conveying the distance from there to Sacramento is in place at the eastern terminus in Ocean City, Maryland. Photos taken 11/23/07 and 01/19/03.
The nascent business loop and its erstwhile companion, U.S. 50, pass under the main lanes of Interstate 80 east first, followed by the transition ramp from Interstate 80 west to Business Loop I-80/U.S. 50 east. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Use Exit 1, Harbor Boulevard, south to the Port of Sacramento. The deep water port is located just south of the freeway along Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Industrial Boulevard. Photo taken 11/23/07.
The next three exits along Business Loop I-80 are: Exit 1, Harbor Boulevard; Exit 3, Junction California 84/Jefferson Boulevard and Tower Bridge Gateway east to California 275/Tower Bridge and the Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento; and Exit 4A, Junction Interstate 5 north to Portland and south to Los Angeles (and California 99 north to Marysville/Yuba City). Photo taken 11/23/07.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 reaches Exit 1, Harbor Boulevard. The next exit is Exit 3, Junction California 84/Jefferson Boulevard and Tower Bridge Gateway east to California 275/Capitol Mall (downtown Sacramento). Photo taken 11/23/07.
Use Exit 3 to Raley Field, home of the baseball's AAA Pacific Coast League Sacramento Rivercats. Follow the sign for downtown Sacramento and exit at Riske Lane (note that the overpass at Riske Lane was removed in April 2007, so traffic patterns have changed on Tower Bridge Gateway at Riske Lane). Raley Field is located on the south side of the Capital Gateway. Photo taken 11/23/07.
The next exit along eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 is Exit 3, Tower Bridge Gateway east to California 275 and Junction California 84 (Jefferson Boulevard). The Tower Bridge Gateway, even with its new traffic signal at Riske Lane, is still the best route into downtown Sacramento. The Tower Bridge itself, along with Capitol Mall, is the only remaining part of California 275 and is postmiled as such. Meanwhile, California 84 travels north-south along the west bank of the Sacramento River. Use California 84 south to California 12 at Rio Vista and north to Interstate 80 at Exit 83/Reed Avenue. Plans call for the state to turn over maintenance of Jefferson Avenue to the city of West Sacramento, which would result in the decommissioning of California 84 within city limits. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 reaches Exit 3. The ramp immediately splits after exiting from the business loop: the left lane of the ramp connects to Tower Bridge Gateway (former California 275) east, while the right lane exits onto California 84/Jefferson Boulevard. Tower Bridge Gateway east is a parkway with traffic signals, then crosses the Sacramento River via Tower Bridge. California 275 was decommissioned in 1999, and the City of West Sacramento converted the former freeway into a parkway in 2007. Former California 275 was renamed as "Tower Bridge Gateway," and the freeway overpass at Riske Lane near Raley Field was removed in 2007. As a result, this road is no longer a freeway. However, it is still a straight shot into downtown via the Tower Bridge. Photo taken 11/23/07.
To Old Sacramento State Historic Park, use Exit 4A, Junction Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 11/23/07.
The next exit along eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 is Exit 4A, Junction Interstate 5, one mile. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway gains elevation after passing under the Tower Bridge Gateway transition ramp. The freeway will cross over the Sacramento River, then interchange with Interstate 5 and California 99 at Exit 4A. U.S. 50 and Interstate 305 continue to be silently merged with the business loop freeway. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 approaching Exit 4A, Junction Interstate 5, one-quarter mile. Interstate 5 is the backbone of the state, connecting the northern towns with the cities of the south. Northbound Interstate 5 is also northbound California 99; southbound California 99 merges onto eastbound Interstate 305/Business Loop I-80/U.S. 50. Photo taken 04/03/05.
Passing over the Sacramento River, Business Loop I-80 leaves Yolo County and enters Sacramento County near the centerline of the river. The Capital City Freeway leaves West Sacramento/Yolo County and enters the state capital city of Sacramento. The skyline for this major California city can be seen along eastbound Interstate 80 and Business Loop I-80 from as far west as the Yolo Bypass. The city was founded in 1849 and was incorporated in 1849 (one year before statehood), which makes Sacramento the oldest incorporated city in California. It has served as the state capital since 1854, even it sits at a low 25 feet above sea level. The city has seen tremendous growth through the years, and as of the 2000 Census, the population was 407,018 people. Sacramento is the primary city for the surrounding counties of Yolo, Sacramento, Placer (Interstate 80 east corridor), and El Dorado (U.S. 50 corridor). Photo taken 04/03/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305/U.S. 50 reaches Exit 4A, Junction Interstate 5 and California 99 (the latter of which is curiously absent from these overhead signs). The right two lanes depart onto Interstate 5 north to Redding/Portland and south to Stockton/Los Angeles, while the left four lanes continue east toward downtown Sacramento. The next exit is Exit 4B, 5th Street, which leads north into downtown Sacramento. Photo taken 11/23/07.
This picture shows the transition from eastbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 50 to Interstate 5 (Exit 4A). The ramp splits to serve both directions of Interstate 5. Photo taken 04/03/05.
This centerline view of Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway is afforded from the left lane on eastbound. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/U.S. 50 (Capital City Freeway) reaches Exit 4B, Fifth Street north into downtown Sacramento. To reach the California state capitol, take Fifth Street north to Capitol Mall then turn east. The next exit is Exit 5, Junction Former California 160, 15th/16th Streets. Photo taken 11/23/07.
California 160, which used to follow the 15th and 16th Street couplet through downtown Sacramento, was decommissioned between Freeport (at its junction with Interstate 5) and Richards Boulevard just south of the American River bridge. As a result, California 160 has a gap in the routing, with the freeway segment north of Richards Boulevard and the section in the Delta still intact. The remainder of the route is now maintained by the city of Sacramento. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Mileage sign along eastbound for the next three exits: Exit 5, Junction Former California 160/15th-16th Streets; Exit 6A, Business Loop I-80 east (if you're continuing east on U.S. 50 east - for traffic continuing east on the business loop, this exit is for U.S. 50 east); and Exit 6B, Junction California 99 south. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/U.S. 50/Interstate 305 and southbound California 99 reaches Exit 5, Junction Former California 160/15th-16th Streets. Signs for California 160 remain in place along Business Loop I-80, but many of the shields on the route itself have been removed. As for the 15th/16th Street couplet, the highway skirts the eastern edge of the Capitol Park. The next exits, Exits 6A-B, represent the split of the four routes that share this stretch of freeway. Photo taken 11/23/07.
Traffic for California 99 south (Exit 6B), which is silently merged onto Business Loop I-80 here, should remain in the right lane. Through traffic on Business Loop I-80 should take the next two lanes to the left, U.S. 50 follows a four-lane left exit (Exit 6A). Photos taken 11/23/07 and 04/05/05.
This sign reminds through traffic to Interstate 80 destinations such as Reno and North Lake Tahoe (Tahoe City and Incline Village) should remain right and follow Business Loop I-80 through the upcoming interchange. Photos taken 11/23/07 and 04/05/05.
At this point, Business Loop I-80 east and California 99 south (Exit 6A) exit to the right, while the left four lanes carry U.S. 50 east into eastern Sacramento (Exit 6B). Business Loop I-80/Interstate 305 transition from U.S. 50 onto hidden California 51 north. Photos taken 11/23/07 and 04/05/05.
Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway east and California 51 north
Now through the WX Freeway/29-30 Freeway interchange, Business Loop I-80 heads northeast on its way back to Interstate 80. Mileage sign for the next three exits along eastbound Exit 6C/T Street, Exit 7A/N Street, and Exit 7B/H Street. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Downtown Sacramento has a grid pattern, with numbered streets running north-south and lettered streets running east-west. T Street is the first of three lettered street exits along eastbound. Photo taken 08/22/03.
A look at the transition ramp from U.S. 50 westbound onto Business Loop Interstate 80 eastbound. The right-hand lane defaults onto the Exit 7A off-ramp to N Street after the ramp merge. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 7A, N Street. As noted on this collection of signs the next exit leads to the best route from the east side of town to downtown, the state capitol, and related attractions. This route is L Street (not N Street!), a one-way street leading westbound toward downtown. Photo taken 09/10/05.
This mileage sign for eastbound provides the distance to Exit 7A/N Street, Exit 7B/H Street, and Exit 9A, Exposition Boulevard/Cal Expo. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/California 51 reaches Exit 7A, N Street. N Street is a one-way street leading eastbound west of the business loop. East of the business loop, it connects to Folsom Boulevard, which was former U.S. 50 before it was routed onto its freeway, and Stockton Boulevard, which was former U.S. 99 (and former Business U.S. 50-99 after that). Photo taken 09/10/05.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 7B, H Street. This far east of downtown, H Street carries two-way traffic, but it changes one-way eastbound west of 15th and 16th Streets (old California 160). G Street to the north is the best alternative route. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Business Loop Interstate 80 (Capital City Freeway) eastbound at the Exit 7B ramp departure to the intersection of H and 30th Streets. 29th and 30th Streets parallel the freeway between X and B Streets. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Mileage sign for eastbound approaching Exit 9A, Exposition Boulevard/Cal Expo, Exit 9B/Arden Way, and Exit 10/El Camino Avenue. Photo taken 09/10/05.
As the business loop passes through the undeveloped American River Parkway area, there are no exits until Exit 9A, Exposition Boulevard/Cal Expo. The signage for this exit is somewhat inconsistently signed between Exposition Boulevard and Cal Expo. Photo taken 09/10/05.
To mitigate the upcoming Marconi Curve, short or non-existent acceleration/deceleration ramps and shoulders, and other sub-standard sections of the business loop freeway between Exits 9A and 12C, this sign advises through traffic to remain in the left two lanes. Photo taken 09/10/05.
After the American River bridge, an auxiliary lane forms to carry traffic off of eastbound Business Loop I-80 to Cal Expo. A few of the Capital City Freeway reassurance markers that were placed in 1996 remain, including one in the American River Parkway just after Exit 7B. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80 at Exit 9A, Exposition Boulevard/Cal Expo. The next exit is Exit 9B, Junction Southbound California 160 to Arden Way, next right. Many of the overpasses along the freeway prevent expansion by another lane and some bridge heights do not meet current minimum height standards for Interstate highways. Photo taken 09/10/05.
California 160 is a short freeway spur from the business loop southwest toward downtown. The state route used to provide a consistent route through the city and then continue into the Delta; now it has a route break through the city limits of Sacramento. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Mileage sign for Exit 10/El Camino Avenue, Exit 11/Marconi Avenue, and Exit 12C/Fulton Avenue. Exits 12A and 12B are omitted, but that is because they are not major exits (see below). Photo taken 09/10/05.
As Business Loop I-80 approaches Exit 10/El Camino Avenue, enjoy the four lanes. They will constrict to three lanes of through traffic on the approach to the substandard Marconi Curve. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Mileage sign along eastbound for Exit 10, El Camino Avenue (next right - the exit is visible in the distance); Exit 11, Marconi Avenue (one mile); and Exits 12A-B-C, Howe Avenue/Bell Street/Fulton Avenue (2.25 miles). Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/California 51/Capital City Freeway at Exit 10, El Camino Avenue, which leads east into unincorporated Carmichael. Photo taken 09/10/05.
This photo presents a neat juxtaposition of the mileage sign hanging from the El Camino Avenue overpass along with the freeway entrance side for eastbound El Camino Avenue motorists. The next exit is Exit 11, Marconi Avenue. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Marconi Avenue, the next exit after El Camino Avenue, is infamously known as one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the region: the Marconi Curve. Marconi Avenue, which parallels El Camino Avenue and also leads into Carmichael, is a semi-major street but is widely known because of the curve the business loop takes near the interchange. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The infamous Marconi Curve, shown in this photo, is one reason often cited as to why Business Loop I-80 is no longer an Interstate highway. This section was to have been bypassed had Interstate 80 been constructed, but since that new alignment was not built, the business loop still carries a capacity (and perhaps over-sold) crowd through this narrow and relatively sharp turn. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Coming out of the turn, it is clear why the business loop freeway was not retained as part of the Interstate Highway System when Interstate 80 was rerouted over the top of Sacramento. Narrow and non-existent shoulders, along with a narrow bridge overpass ahead, cause the business loop to suffer back-ups during commuting hours here at the Marconi Curve. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Continuing the non-standard construction, a stealthy exit exits immediately after the Marconi Avenue overpass from the prior photobox: Exit 12A, which connects to Howe Avenue (the signage is very spotty for this exit). This photo shows the very tight interchange in place here (it's nearly a 90-degree right hand turn off the freeway), with a freeway entrance with a minimal acceleration lane present right after it. During the winter of 2003-2004, a reflective sign complete with exit number was placed at this interchange. Photo taken 01/22/04 by Joel Windmiller.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway/Hidden California 51 at Exit 12B, Bell Street. Again, there is not much advance warning for this exit. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The next exit is Exit 12C for Fulton Avenue, which only has this tiny roadside sign as an advance warning of the impending exit. Photo taken 09/10/05.
In case you were wondering, the call boxes along the stretch of Business Loop I-80 between U.S. 50 and Interstate 80 refer to the underlying route number, which is California 51. This call box is located along the approach to Exit 12C/Fulton Avenue. Eastbound Business Loop I-80/California 51/Capital City Freeway at Exit 12C, Fulton Avenue. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Mileage sign along eastbound for Exits 14A-B, Watt Avenue; Exit 14C, Junction California 244/To Auburn Boulevard; and Exit 14D, Junction Eastbound Interstate 80 to the foothills, Truckee, and Reno. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/California 51/Capital City Freeway approaching Exit 14A, southbound Watt Avenue. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The exit for southbound Watt Avenue (Exit 14A) is located in advance of northbound Watt Avenue (Exit 14B). Southbound Watt Avenue leads south past the Del Paso Country Club, Arden Oaks, and Arden before reaching U.S. 50 near the American River. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Last eastbound Business Loop I-80 reassurance shield along the mainline. Exits 14A-C are approaching ahead. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Northbound Watt Avenue (Exit 14B) leads to North Highlands. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Since the main lanes merge directly onto eastbound Interstate 80, travelers looking to reach westbound Interstate 80 must exit northbound Watt Avenue and reconnect with Interstate 80 a mile or so north of here. There is no direct freeway-to-freeway connection from eastbound Business Loop I-80 to westbound Interstate 80. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway/California 51 at Exit 14B, Watt Avenue northbound. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The exit from Business Loop I-80 onto Auburn Boulevard was originally intended to be much more than it is today. Exit 14C actually leads to unsigned California 244, which acts as a connector ramp from the business loop freeway to Auburn Boulevard. However, California 244 was to be part of a much larger freeway system that was proposed for eastern Sacramento County. Continuing east past Auburn Boulevard, California 244 was to provide an east-west freeway link, culminating at a junction with U.S. 50 after passing unconstructed California 65. The extension was eliminated in stages during the mid-1970s and mid-1990s due to local opposition. All that remains of this route is the stub section here. For more on California 244, see California State Route 244 (Daniel Faigin). Photo taken 09/10/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway/California 51 after Exit 14C, California 244 east to Historic U.S. 40/Auburn Boulevard. This mileage sign along eastbound features the next two exits along eastbound Interstate 80, as Business Loop I-80 and California 51 merge onto Interstate 80. Someday the short California 244 freeway spur may connect to another freeway. There are still long-range plans to construct California 143, a north-south freeway that would bypass the downtown area to the east and end at California 99 south of Elk Grove. That freeway also has opposition, and no current plans are underway to construct it. For more on California 143, State Route 143 (Daniel Faigin). Photo taken 09/10/05.
Finally reaching the end of the road, Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway are wholly subsumed into Interstate 80. The right three lanes are the business loop, which are forced to merge into Interstate 80 (the three left lanes). The right two lanes will end up exiting onto Exit 96, Madison Avenue, if motorists can't merge onto the mainline. Traffic delays due to all of this merging are common during afternoon commute hours; today was a case in point. Photo taken 08/22/03.
