California 20 east and California 49 north (Golden Center Freeway)
Eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 approach Exit 182A, Junction Southbound California 174. The exit numbers here are based on the mileage of California 20 starting at the coast. California 174 leads southbound to meet Interstate 80 at Colfax. Photo taken 01/19/03.
This sign, located along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 on the approach to Exit 182A (Junction Southbound California 174) designates this short section of freeway as the Golden Center Freeway. This freeway, like California 29 in Lake County, is completed isolated and orphaned from the rest of the state's freeway system. The highway is generally constructed to Interstate standards. There are no current plans to construct a connecting freeway from the Golden Center Freeway to Interstate 80. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and Northbound California 49 reaches Exit 182A, Junction California 174 south to Colfax. Photo taken 01/19/03.
These reassurance shields for eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 are posted just after Exit 182A, Junction California 174 south. The next exit is Exit 182B, Idaho Maryland Road. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 approach Exit 182B, Idaho Maryland Road, three-quarters of a mile. Ironically, this section of the Golden Center Freeway is very similar in feel to Interstate 90 near Kellogg, Idaho, or Interstate 68 near Cumberland, Maryland. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 182B, Idaho Maryland Road, next right. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and Northbound California 49 reach Exit 182B, Idaho Maryland Road. This local street leads into Grass Valley. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 183, Brunswick Road, one-half mile. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 reach Exit 183, Brunswick Road. This particular section of the Golden Center Freeway is reminiscent of Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Photo taken 01/19/03.
These reassurance markers for eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 are posted after Exit 183 (Brunswick Road). The next exit is Exit 185A, Gold Flat Road/Ridge Road. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 185A, Gold Flat Road/Ridge Road, one-half mile. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Due to the terrain around Grass Valley and Nevada City, high bridges such as this one are necessary to span the foothills. This picture was taken along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 prior to Exit 185B. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 reach Exit 185A, Gold Flat Road/Ridge Road. This is the last exit into Grass Valley. As seen by these photos, most of the areas around the freeway are undeveloped; most amenities are located in town (via Business California 20-49). Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 185B, Sacramento Street/Nevada City, one-half mile. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 reach Exit 185B, Sacramento Street/Nevada City. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 186, Broad Street, in Nevada City. Nevada City is the seat of Nevada County. Photo taken 01/19/03.
View of the exit ramp from eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 onto Broad Street, which leads directly into downtown Nevada City. The routes divide at the next interchange. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 187, Junction Northbound California 49. The fact that California 49 is listed as an exit reinforces the fact that this freeway is primarily California 20 and secondarily California 49. Photo taken 01/19/03.
Tall retaining walls and plant material dominate the freeway as it passes through this viaduct near the eastern terminus of the Golden Center Freeway along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49. Photo taken 01/19/03.
The next exit along eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 is Exit 187A, Uren Street. This is the last real exit along the Golden Center Freeway; the right lane becomes "exit only." Photo taken 01/19/03.
Shortly thereafter, the routes divide: Northbound California 49 "exits" eastbound California 20 through a left exit, which is actually a left turn. The freeway quickly returns to a rural two-lane highway for both California 20 and California 49. Photo taken 01/19/03.
This is a final view of eastbound California 20 and northbound California 49 as the routes divide at Exit 187B, Junction Northbound California 49, with a view of the right exit for Exit 187A, Uren Street. Photo taken 01/19/03.
