| Use Imperial County Route S-80 east to downtown El Centro and west to Holtville and Interstate 8 (via California 115). The entire route between El Centro and Holtville is an expressway that was originally contemplated for the route of Interstate 8 until the new alignment was decided. Photo taken 03/26/06.
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| Historic U.S. 80 is signed as Imperial County Route S-80 from Imperial County Route S-2 in Ocotillo east to California 115 near Holtville. While this section is expressway, the route is only two lanes through Seeley and Plaster City. Photo taken 08/27/04.
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| The California 111 expressway continues north toward Brawley (13 miles), while downtown El Centro is three miles east of here, and Holtville is seven miles west of here. At no point does California 111 enter the city of El Centro. Photo taken 08/27/04.
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| Northbound California 111 meets Old U.S. 80/Imperial County Route S-80 (Evan Hewes Highway) at this intersection. Photo taken 03/26/06.
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| This mileage sign (after the intersection with Imperial County Route S-80) provides the distance to Brawley (13 miles), Calipatria (23 miles), and Indio (87 miles). Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| This reassurance shield is posted along northbound California 111 after the Imperial County Route S-80 intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Between El Centro and Brawley, California 111 is a four-lane expressway, with access limited to specific intersections usually spaced about a mile apart. Like California 7, California 111 features concrete shoulders. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next traffic signal along northbound is with Aten Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Use Aten Road west to Imperial Valley College, the Imperial County Airport, and the city of Imperial. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Northbound California 111 meets Aten Road at this intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Another reassurance shield for California 111 is posted after Aten Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| California 111, sitting below sea level, actually loses elevation between El Centro (45 feet below sea level) and Brawley (113 feet below sea level). Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next traffic signal along northbound is the junction with Imperial County Route S-28/Worthington Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The city of Imperial lies three miles west of here on Imperial County Route S-28. The county highway travels west through Imperial, turns south at Hurff Road, and ends at Imperial County Route S-80 (Old U.S. 80) west of Seeley. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Like Aten Road, the intersection with Worthington Road is signalized. To the east, follow Imperial County Route S-28 east to California 115, Imperial County Route S-32 (Holt Road), and Imperial County Route S-33 (Highline Road). Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Northbound California 111 continues north, passing by more farms and irrigated areas in the Colorado Desert. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The concrete expressway spreads out on incredibly flat, fertile land. Trucks carrying hay, oranges, and produce are common along California 111. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next intersection along northbound is with Harris Road. There is no traffic signal for this intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| California 111 continues due north toward Brawley, Calipatria, and Indio. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Industry is common in the Imperial Valley, including geothermal power plants and other related improvements. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next intersection along northbound California 111 is Junction Imperial County Route S-27, Keystone Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Imperial County Route S-27 travels east as a farm-to-market road, connecting with California 115, Imperial County Route S-32/Holt Road, and Imperial County Route S-33/Highline Road. To the west, Imperial County Route S-27 connects with California 86 about midway between Imperial and Brawley. The county route ends at Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Northbound California 111 meets Imperial County Route S-27/Keystone Road at this intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Another reassurance shield is posted on California 111 northbound after Keystone Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next intersection along northbound is with Schartz Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Typically, the non-signalized intersections look like this one, with a dedicated lane for left turns and another lane for right turns. The two main lanes continue straight ahead. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Farmland continues to dominate both sides of California 111 as the expressway continues north. Old Highway 111 parallels California 111 between Imperial County Route S-80 and California 78 in Brawley. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| A few drainage ditches and irrigation canals criss-cross the valley, including this one along northbound California 111 after Schartz Road. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The next intersection along northbound is with Wildcat Road. The expressway begins to turn a bit to the northeast. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Another reassurance shield is posted after the Wildcat Road intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| The temporary northern end to California 111 expressway is at California 78. For now, California 111 turns west onto California 78 to enter downtown Brawley. However, the state highway will be realigned onto the Brawley bypass once that highway is complete. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Use California 78 east to Alamorio, Imperial (Algodones) Sand Dunes, and Glamis. California 78 emerges in the Colorado River Valley in Riverside County, then turns north to meet Interstate 10 near Blythe. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| West California 78 and north California 111 prepare to turn left at the upcoming traffic signal. As noted earlier, this is a temporary condition until the expressway bypass is completed. The bypass will extend eight miles from here west to join California 78 and California 86 near Westmorland. A copy of the environmental document is available at the Caltrans District 11 Brawley Bypass page. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| To the west, California 78 passes through Brawley and Westmorland, then crosses the Cuyamaca Mountains en route to Julian, Ramona, Escondido, and Oceanside. The section of California 78 between Interstate 15 and Interstate 5 is a freeway. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| A set of shields shows the directions for California 78 and California 111. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Construction barriers block the continuation of the bypass straight ahead. Turn left to continue north on California 111. The new eight-mile bypass, which is to be constructed in stages between 2006 and 2008, will include an interchange at the northern California 111 junction. It will join California 78 and California 86 between Brawley and Westmorland. A bypass of Westmorland is not part of this project. Photo taken 04/01/06.
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| Old California 111 North
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| This photo shows the view formerly seen on northbound California 111 at the Imperial County Route S-80/Evan Hewes Highway intersection. Today, this intersection is found on the frontage road, while California 111 has been relocated to the new expressway alignment. Photo taken 05/01.
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| On what is now the northbound Old Highway 111, the two-lane road approaches California 78-111. California 111 north turns left at the upcoming intersection. Photo taken 08/27/04.
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| To Brawley, turn left on California 78-111 (Main Street). Photo taken 08/27/04.
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| Turn right to follow California 78 east to Glamis and Blythe. Continue straight ahead to follow Best Road. Photo taken 08/27/04.
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Page Updated April 29, 2006.
