Crossing Altamont Pass, wind turbines generate electricity constantly. At sunset, they provide the foreground for a beautiful sunset. Photo taken 06/28/06.
Routing
Interstate 580 connects U.S. 101/Redwood Highway in San Rafael with Interstate 5 south of Tracy via San Quentin, Richmond, Oakland, Hayward, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Tracy. The section between Oakland and Tracy generally follows old U.S. 50/Lincoln Highway. Originally conceived as part of Interstate 5W in 1964, Interstate 580 is a fast route from northbound Interstate 5 in the Central Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area. It is also a heavily used commuter route, with several sections featuring eight or more lanes, including the section passing through the thinly populated Altamont Pass.
Eastbound Patterson Pass Road approaches Interstate 580 southwest of Tracy in the Central Valley. Photo taken 07/06/04.
Traveling west along Interstate 580, this sunset view of the wind turbines and the vast sky is found near Altamont Pass. Photo taken 06/28/06.
Between Interstate 205 and Altamont Pass, Interstate 580 passes under several sets of major power transmission lines. This tall structure carries 500kV lines in a double circuit north toward Tracy. Photos taken 06/28/06.
This Interstate 580 freeway entrance assembly and a trailblazer shield assembly west of Tracy. Photos taken by Joel Windmiller, 06/19/01.
Interstate 580 freeway entrance shield assembly, shield close-up, and junction signage along Eden Canyon Road (Exit 39). Photos taken 12/27/01.
This view of San Quentin State Penitentiary can be seen from westbound Interstate 580 (upper deck of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge) looking southwest. The infamous prison is bounded by Interstate 580, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and San Francisco Bay. Photo taken 06/28/06.
