| Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) north |
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At the off-ramp to California 269/Lassen Avenue, Interstate 5 leaves Kings County and enters Fresno County, which had a population of 930,450 as of the 2010 Census. The seat of Fresno County is namesake Fresno, which is located on the California 99 corridor. Upon crossing from Kings County into Fresno County, we also leave the city limits of Avenal and enter unincorporated Fresno County. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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The off-ramp to California 269/Lassen Avenue is almost entirely within Fresno County. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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An Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from California 269. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Immediately thereafter, Interstate 5 north reaches Exit 320, Coalinga-Avenal Rest Area. This rest area was renovated and reopened for use starting in December 2011. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to California 198 (Exit 334), San Francisco, and Sacramento. The sign was replaced between 2004 and 2009. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/02/04. |
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Pacific Gas & Electric 500kV and 230kV power lines cross over Interstate 5 between California 269 and Jayne Avenue. These lines connect the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station to the southwest with a large substation northeast of here (and visible from the freeway). The substation allows the Diablo Canyon power to join the Path 15 north-south power lines. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/15/09. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 325, Jayne Avenue west to Coalinga. Westbound Jayne Avenue leads due west to meet California 33, and California 33 takes Jayne Avenue west into the city of Coalinga, "The Sunny Side of the Valley." Coalinga (population 13,380 people as of the 2010 Census) is so named due to its history as a rail stop, when it was originally known as "Coaling Station A." The name was later shortened to "Coalinga." A Compass map from the 1990s shows east-west Jayne Avenue and California 33 as part of a Business Loop I-5, but we have not observed any signage in the field to indicate that they were ever part of a designated business route. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/28/02. |
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It is faster to take Exit 325 (Jayne Avenue west) from Interstate 5 north to connect to California 198 west en route to San Lucas, King City, and Greenfield (via U.S. 101) in Monterey County. Northern California is suddenly within reach for northbound travelers. Photos taken 04/06/12 and 07/02/04. |
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Use Jayne Avenue west to the city of Coalinga, state hospital, and West Hills College. Photos taken 04/06/12 and 11/25/10. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) meets Exit 325, Jayne Avenue. This exit sign was replaced between 2004 and 2009. Photos taken 04/06/12 and 07/02/04. |
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Jayne Avenue was one of the first interchanges along this segment of Interstate 5 to receive exit numbers. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Interstate 5 passes under Jayne Avenue east of Coalinga. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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This mileage sign along Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) north provides the distance to California 198 (nine miles), Sacramento (191 miles), and San Francisco (192 miles). Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Another 500kV power line passes over Interstate 5. Constructed by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), this line opened for use on December 21, 2004, to alleviate load issues on Path 15. The WAPA 500kV line features a monopole tower structure rather than the Pacific Gas & Electric standard "H-frame," steel lattice structure. The two PG&E 500kV Path 15 lines stay to the east of Interstate 5 for now. This line and the two PG&E lines will rendezvous at a large substation near Los Banos (close to the Interstate 5 and California 152 interchange). Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/15/09. |
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Interstate 5 continues north between Jayne Avenue and California 198. The Arroyo Pasajero River crossing is notable for major flood damage on March 10, 1995, that resulted in the collapse and destruction of both the northbound and southbound bridges. Seven motorists were killed in this tragic accident. The bridges have since been rebuilt. For a good deal more information on the 1995 bridge failure, please visit California's Temporary Freeway Bridge (Public Roads magazine). Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/15/09. |
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Farming again becomes dominant on both sides of Interstate 5 as we bypass Coalinga to the east. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/15/09. |
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A dynamic message sign is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 334, California 198 west to Coalinga and east to Lemoore, Hanford, Visalia, and Sequoia National Park. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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Use Exit 334 to Coalinga and Harris Ranch. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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California 198 is a major east-west state route that connects U.S. 101, Interstate 5, and California 99. Certain segments of California 198 are built to freeway standards, especially near Lemoore, Hanford, and Visalia. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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The next services along northbound Interstate 5 is 35 miles ahead, at Exit 368, Panoche Road. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) meets Exit 334, California 198. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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An Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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This mileage sign along Interstate 5 north (after Exit 334, California 198) provides the distance to Exit 349, California 33 north (14 miles), Sacramento (181 miles), and San Francisco (182 miles). Omitted from this sign is Exit 337, California 33 south and California 145 north (but you can see the standalone sign for Exit 337 just behind the mileage sign). Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 337, California 33 south and California 145 north. Photo taken 11/24/11. |
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A U.S. Bureau of Reclamation aqueduct brings needed water into Coalinga and its thirsty farms. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Exit 337, California 33 south and California 145 north. If the business route shown in the Compass map of Coalinga were accurate, it would have begun at the Jayne Avenue interchange and returned to Interstate 5 at this interchange, Exit 337 (California 33 and California 145). Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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| Coming into view behind the Exit 337 advance sign are the Path 15 Pacific Gas & Electric 500kV power lines, which can also be seen in the next photo series (see below). These lines have closely paralleled Interstate 5 from Gorman and will continue to follow the freeway to Tracy (then stay west of Interstate 5 to pass through the California Delta while the freeway goes to Sacramento). The power lines provide some artificial scenery as they parallel the freeway, usually on the foothills west of the freeway. Only occasionally do these lines cross over the freeway as they do here. Photos taken 07/15/09 and 11/25/10. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 337, California 33 south and California 145 north. This exit marks the southern terminus of California 145, and northbound California 33 merges onto northbound Interstate 5. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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A California 33 shield assembly is located along the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 as the freeway passes under the overpass that carries California 33 and California 145 over the freeway (at Exit 337). Photo taken 11/24/11. |
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This view of the cattle stockyards looks east from the on-ramp from California 33-145 onto Interstate 5. This particular facility extends for several miles, and its scent can portend the use of this facility for miles before it is visible. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Now looking north down the same on-ramp, this view shows the Path 15 500kV power lines as they continue their long journey north through the Central Valley. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
| Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) and California 33 north |
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This reassurance marker for northbound Interstate 5 and California 33 after the Exit 337 interchange. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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North of the stockyards, Interstate 5 and California 33 again enter undeveloped, rural ranchland. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Another Interstate 5 and California 33 reassurance shield assembly is posted midway between Exits 337 and 349. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5/California 33 is Exit 349, northbound California 33 to Mendota, Firebaugh, and Dos Palos via Derrick Avenue. Fresno County is rather creative with its rural highway names, unlike Tulare County (which uses numbers such as "Avenue 384"). This guide sign was replaced between 2007 and 2009 to include the exit number. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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The next gas on the freeway is at Exit 368/Panoche Road, still 20 miles ahead. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5/California 33 approaches Exit 349, California 33 north. After sharing pavement for about 12 miles, the routes divide, but they will remain close to each other. Interstate 5 and California 33 will next intersect each other at the California 152 interchange near Los Banos, and again at Santa Nella. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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Interstate 5 and California 33 split at Exit 337, Derrick Avenue. California 33 interplays with and parallels Interstate 5 between Coalinga and Tracy, providing an alternate route to the freeway (except for the merged section between Exits 337 and 349). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
| Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) north |
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A reassurance shield for Interstate 5 is posted after the California 33 north interchange (Exit 349). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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This mileage sign on Interstate 5 north provides the distance to California 152 (first time it is mentioned) as well as the control cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Another reassurance shield is posted between Exits 349 and 357. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) is Exit 357, Kamm Avenue. Use Kamm Avenue east to California 33. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 meets Exit 357, Kamm Avenue. The guide sign here was replaced between 2007 and 2009 to include the exit number and retroreflective sheeting. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/22/07. |
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The gore point signage for Exit 357 shows the exit number. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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A reassurance shield for Interstate 5 is posted after the Kamm Avenue interchange (Exit 357). Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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This view looks north on Interstate 5 after the Kamm Avenue interchange. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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This mileage sign is located next to the Kamm Avenue overpass. It has the same destinations and control cities as the previous sign after Exit 357. From here, California 152 is 43 miles ahead, while San Francisco is 158 miles and Sacramento is 157 miles. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Another Interstate 5 north route marker is posted between Kamm Avenue and Manning Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) is Exit 365, Manning Avenue (one mile). This sign was replaced with a new reflective sign with exit number by 2009. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 07/02/04. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 365, Manning Avenue. This interchange provides local access to nearby farms and ranches. As part of the grid of rural highways in the Central Valley, Manning Avenue travels east to San Joaquin, Raisin City, Bowles, Parlier, Reedley, and ends near Orange Cove. The county highway connects Interstate 5, California 33, California 145, California 41, California 99, and California 63. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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An Exit 365 gore point sign is posted at the off-ramp to Manning Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Like many bridges along Interstate 5 through the Central Valley, the Manning Avenue steel girder overpass is painted green. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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A reassurance shield for Interstate 5 is posted after the Manning Avenue interchange (Exit 365). Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 5 (Westside Highway) north: Exit 368, Panoche Road; Exit 372, Russell Avenue; and Exit 379, Shields Avenue and Little Panoche Road. The Diablo Range, including Ortigalita Peak at an elevation of 3,305 feet, loom in the distance. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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A large dynamic message sign for Interstate 5 north is posted after the interchange sequence sign. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 368, Panoche Road (one mile). Panoche Road leads east to Mendota (California 33-180) and west to the town of Panoche in San Benito County. This sign was replaced between 2007 and 2009. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/22/07. |
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All motorist services (food, gas, and lodging) are available at Exit 368. In 2007, this blue services guide sign was the only sign toinclude the exit number for Panoche Road. When the other approach signs were changed in 2008-2009, this sign became one of several to contain the exit number. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) meets Exit 368, Panoche Road. Use Panoche Road east to Mendota or west to Paicines. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/22/07. |
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An exit number is posted at the gore point. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Departing from Interstate 5, these photos show the off-ramp to Exit 368. Panoche Road travels east and then northeast toward Mendota, joining California 180 near the Mendota Wildlife Management Area (Fresno Slough). To the west, Panoche Road enters the foothills of the Coast Range, joining County Route J-1 near Panoche and eventually meeting California 25 in Paicines. This road is fairly winding and is not a very fast route into San Benito County. Photos taken 07/15/09. |
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Back on the mainline, this view follows Interstate 5 as it passes under Panoche Road. Photo taken 11/24/11. |
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And this view looks northwest along Interstate 5 as seen from the Panoche Road overpass. Photo taken 07/15/09. |
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This Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted after the Panoche Road on-ramp. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/22/07. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the California 152 interchange (34 miles), San Francisco (148 miles), and Sacramento (147 miles). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 372, Russell Avenue. Russell Avenue leads north to meet Fresno County J-1 and Dos Palos (California 33). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Use Exit 372, Russell Avenue north to Dos Palos. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 372, Russell Avenue. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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View of the overcrossing for Russell Avenue as seen along northbound Interstate 5. The green steel superstructure is a common feature of the bridges along Interstate 5 between Wheeler Ridge (California 99) and Tracy (Interstate 205). Constructed in large segments during the late 1960s and early 1970s, many bridges along Interstate 5 (both overpasses and undercrossings) feature the green metallic superstructure. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Shortly after the on-ramp from Russell Avenue is this reassurance shield for Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 11/25/10. |
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Another steel girder bridge crosses Interstate 5 in remote Fresno County. This overpass carries east-west California Avenue. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Farms, orchards, and ranches line both sides of Interstate 5. This region has limited rainfall yet fertile soil. The plants in the center median shows the limited rainfall here. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 379, Fresno County J-1 (Shields Avenue). Use Shields Avenue west to Little Panoche Road west to Mercey Hot Springs, Panoche, New Idria, and Paicines (California 25). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Exit 379, Fresno County J-1 (Shields Avenue). Use Shields Avenue east to Mendota, Kerman, and Fresno. Photos taken 07/15/09 and 11/22/07. |
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Fresno County J-1 begins as San Benito County J-1 in Paicines (California 25) and travels east and northeast to meet Interstate 5 at Exit 379. The signed county route continues east from Interstate 5 on Shields Avenue, then transitions onto Fairfax Avenue south and Belmont Avenue east, ending at California 180 in Mendota. Photos taken 07/15/09 and 04/06/12. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) meets Exit 379, Fresno County J-1 (Shields Avenue). This segment of Shields Avenue is on the same trajectory as the Shields Avenue in the city of Fresno, but the roads are discontinuous. This is the approximate location where a future California 180 freeway is proposed to connect Interstate 5 to Fresno, funding permitted. County Route J-1 continues west of here, culminating its journey at California 25 in Paicines via Panoche Road in San Benito County. Photos taken 04/06/12 and 11/22/07. |
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An exit number for Exit 379 is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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This Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Shields Avenue. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 5 provides the distance to the California 165 interchange at Exit 391 as well as the control cities of Sacramento (136 miles) and San Francisco (137 miles). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 385, Nees Avenue. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Use Nees Avenue east to Firebaugh (at California 33). Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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With the advent of exit numbers in California, blue motorist services signs have also started to use the exit numbers. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 (West Side Freeway) meets Exit 385, Nees Avenue. Nees Avenue leads due east to meet California 33 in Firebaugh. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 386, John "Chuck" Erreca Rest Area (one mile). The Nees Avenue overpass is visible in the background. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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An Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Nees Avenue. Photo taken 11/22/07. |
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Northbound Interstate 5 leaves Fresno County and enters Merced County near Milepost 386. Photo taken 11/28/02. |
Page Updated September 16, 2012.
