Historical Tour of old US 99

- Union Avenue / California Avenue : Business CA 99 - Bakersfield

Finally reaching Bakersfield, US 99 gains a city street feel to it. The highway was widened to six lanes in 1947 to decrease the traffic and number of accidents.

Union Avenue Underpass just north of California Avenue. Built in 1934 as a part of the Bakersfield Bypass.

The original alignment through Bakersfield turned left here down California Avenue. At Chester Avenue, it turned right. From there, it followed Chester Avenue over the Kern River to Roberts Lane. Following Roberts, it then merged with the current alignment at the Oildale Overhead. In 1934, a bypass was constructed around Bakersfield. It was three lanes wide. Only a few bridges and alignments remain of the original bypass.

Go North on US 99

Go South on US 99 to Los Angeles

Return to the US 99 Introduction