California 86 follows Historic U.S. 99 from Calexico north to Indio. It passes through El Centro and Brawley, skims the western edge of the Salton Sea, and becomes an expressway as it passes through Westmorland and then travels north into the Coachella Valley. California 86 and California 86S split southeast of Indio. The expressway connects with Interstate 10, while California 86 follows Old U.S. 99 and serves downtown Indio. The expressway near Indio is still signed as California 86S (as of April 2006). In theory, California 86S was supposed to become part of mainline California 86 once the expressway was complete and open to traffic. However, that has not happened. Currently, California 86 ends a rather odd location in downtown Indio at point where the business loop splits from California 111; it does not connect to Interstate 10, but the end is signed.
The California 86 corridor between the Mexican border and Interstate 10 near Indio is described in the current Caltrans Surface Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as a North American Free Trade Agreement or "NAFTA" routing; this specific route, as described in the document, follows this path:
Starts at the border along new California 7 to California 98
Extend north along proposed California 7 to Interstate 8
Follow Interstate 8 west to California 111
Continue north on California 111 to California 78
Follow California 78 west for a mile or two to California 86
Bypass Brawley along a new alignment for California 78-86
Continue north along California 86
Once in Riverside County, follow along the California 86S expressway/freeway alignment north to I-10.
The parts of this route that have been upgraded are constructed to Interstate-type geometry, along with adequate shoulders -- but, of course, with at-grade crossings. At these crossings, there appears to be enough reserved land adjacent to the intersections to eventually accommodate interchange facilities. The parts of California 111 north of Interstate 8, the California 78/86 bypass of Brawley, and the long-anticipated California 78/86 bypass of Westmorland, northwest of Brawley are listed in the STIP as four-lane expressway, with a few interchanges. These interchanges are planned where California 86 diverges from the California 78/86 multiplex south of Brawley.
The gist of these improvements is that the "NAFTA" highway will be a continuous facility along the previously described routing and designed to upgradable expressway status. Also, the commercial truck traffic along this corridor has increased significantly since mid-1980s. The recent emergence of the Mexicali area as a principal location of assembly/production facilities on the south side of the border (largely to avoid the congested Tijuana/San Diego border area) has likely enhanced the traffic flow on California 86/111 and its tributaries.
California 7 was planned largely to relieve the Calexico crossing on 111 which, while not quite to the "backup" level of Interstate 5, is still subject to delay during most daytime hours. Being relatively free of adjacent commercial development, California 7 is planned as the primary commercial border crossing in the Imperial Valley, with 111 retaining most of the cross-border tourist and "civilian" traffic because of its proximity to central Mexicali -- at least for the immediate future. Besides, California 7 is intended to tie in to the Baja network of toll roads, particularly the one paralleling Mexico Federal Route 2, which means that it will likely see increased traffic levels as the new facility gains ridership and becomes familiar to commercial drivers.
The upshot of all this is that the "NAFTA" reference in the STIP, the development of the facility as an upgradable expressway, and the likelihood of increased traffic loads, particularly large trucks, points to an ultimate freeway corridor. Also significant is the fact that along California 86, those resort communities on the west side of the Salton Sea get frontage roads along the expressway -- and these frontage roads veer away from the expressway at major cross streets, where diamond interchanges could be constructed with no additional easement. In fact, given its status as a major connector to Mexico, it could be nominated for inclusion in the Interstate Highway System.
Many thanks to Scott Parker for writing much of this assessment of the NAFTA Corridor and lending insight on the state's STIP.
Northbound California 86
After the ramp to eastbound Interstate 8, northbound California 86 next approaches the left turn to westbound Interstate 8 to San Diego. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Northbound California 86 and westbound Business Loop I-8 are cosigned along northbound 4th Street and a portion of Adams Avenue through El Centro. Photos taken 04/01/06 and 06/12/99.
With its designation as Business Loop I-8, motorist amenities abound along California 86, including fast food and motels. Photo taken 04/01/06.
The next traffic signal along northbound California 86 and westbound Business Loop I-8 is for Aurora Drive. Photo taken 04/01/06.
The Bureau of Land Management Office for El Centro is located on California 86 and Business Loop I-8. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Ross Avenue is the next intersection along northbound California 86 and Business Loop I-8. Photo taken 04/01/06.
The El Centro Chamber of Commerce and Stark Field Park are located at the intersection of California 86 (4th Street) and Lenrey Avenue. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Billboards create a skyline above the commercial strip along northbound California 86 and Business Loop I-8. Photo taken 04/01/06.
This reassurance shield for California 86 is posted prior to the Orange Avenue intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Orange Avenue is another east-west city street. Use Orange Avenue west to Central Union High School. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Another reassurance shield for California 86 is posted after the Orange Avenue. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Continuing north along 4th Street, northbound California 86 and westbound Business Loop I-8 meet Imperial County Route S-80 (Main Street) east to Holtville. Imperial County Route S-80 west merges with California 86 and Business Loop I-8 en route to downtown El Centro. Main Street is the original alignment of Historic U.S. 80. Follow Main Street west for an earlier alignment of U.S. 80; the realigned U.S. 80 follows California 86 and Imperial County Route S-80 on 4th Street and Adams Avenue joins California 86 and Business Loop I-8. Photo taken 04/01/06.
After the Main Street traffic signal, a reassurance shield is posted for Business Loop I-8 and California 86, but not for Imperial County Route S-80. Photo taken 04/01/06.
Wrapping around 4th Street and shifting onto Adams Avenue, California 86, Business Loop I-8, and Imperial County Route S-80 turn from north to west. After seven blocks, the routes divide. The business loop turns left at the traffic signal shown in the photo, which serves Imperial Avenue. Imperial Avenue travels south back to Interstate 8. Unlike many other business routes, most trucks are not allowed to use Imperial Avenue. Photo taken 06/99.
Meanwhile, Imperial County Route S-80 continues west from here along Adams Avenue, which changes back into the Evan Hewes Highway west of the city limits of El Centro. The route continues to follow Historic U.S. 80. At this same intersection, California 86 turns north along Imperial Avenue toward the cities of Imperial and Brawley. Photo taken 06/99.
North of El Centro, California 86 meets Imperial County Route S-28, Barioni Boulevard, in the city of Imperial. Photo taken 06/99.
Northbound California 86 expressway just south of Brawley. Much of California 86 is an expressway between El Centro and Indio, with the exception of the route through Brawley. A bypass route has been proposed to carry California 78 and 86 through traffic around Brawley, but the route remains unconstructed as of November 2003. NOTE: This bypass was originally proposed as California 228; now the bypass is proposed to carry California 78/86 out of Brawley, which means the current route through town would likely become a locally maintained business route. The bypass will be routed to the north of the city and will be completed in 2008. Photo taken 06/99.
End Northbound California 86 along Northbound California 111 at the Westbound Business Loop I-10 split in Indio. California 86 used to continue north all the way to Interstate 10 via Business Loop I-10, but the section of the business route north of this point was decommissioned by the state. This is an unusual ending point for California 86 since California rarely signs cosigned routes for routes that do not split apart (in other words, California 86 merges with California 111, but it does not become a solo route again). Photo taken 06/99.
Southbound California 86
Southbound California 86, Southbound California 111, and Eastbound Business Loop I-10 divide in southeastern Indio. Business Loop I-10 turns left at the upcoming intersection, crosses railroad tracks, and rejoins Interstate 10 to the east. The theory was that once the California 86S Expressway was completed, the California 86 designation would be moved to the expressway, but that changeover has not happened as of April 2006 (even though the expressway is complete). Photo taken 06/99.
California 86 and California 111 split in Indio. California 86 serves the western shore of the Salton Sea, while California 111 serves the eastern shore. The routes rejoin between El Centro and Calexico south of Interstate 8 near Heber. Photo taken 06/99.
California 86S - Northbound
This is the first Northbound California 86S shield on the new expressway just north of California 195. This is likely the only instance of a number-letter combination on a California state shield. Some other states, such as New York, routinely utilize letters in their state route designations. Photo taken 09/99.
California 86S - Southbound
California 86S was designated separately from mainline California 86 because the new expressway did not connect with California 86. As such, the California 86-S designation was created as a temporary routing until the two discontinuous segments were joined. Once joined, old California 86 would be decommissioned (thus changing the signage in Indio, such as those above). This photo was taken on Southbound California 86-S at Junction California 195. At the time, this was the end of the expressway, but it has since been extended south toward mainline California 86. Photo taken 09/99.
Scenes Pertaining to California 86S
This a sample of California 86S expressway signage that is found along the highway south of Indio. Photo taken 09/99.
California 86S is a designated safety corridor. Photo taken 09/99.
This expressway entrance sign is found along southbound California 86S near Indio. Photo taken 09/99.
