California State Route 83

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State Route 83

(CS&HC Section 383)

Length:

14 mi^[1] (23 km)

Major
junctions:

CA-71

SBD 0.00

CA-60

SBD 7.19

I-10

SBD 11.11

CA-66

SBD 12.49

CA-210

SBD 14.19

Major cities:

Chino
Ontario
Upland

California State Routes
< SR 82		SR 84 >
Unconstructed - Deleted - Freeway - Scenic

State Route 83 is a city street running from the Foothill Freeway (State Route 210) in Upland to the Chino Valley Freeway (State Route 71)near the Prado Dam flood control basin.

[edit] Route Description

Route 83 is a major north-south arterial serving the cities and communities of Western San Bernardino County, California. Known as Euclid Avenue for its entire 14-mile (23 km) length, the route begins at its southern terminus at the Chino Valley Freeway (State Route 71 and traverses the communities of Chino, Ontario, and Upland before reaching its northern terminus at the Foothill Freeway (State Route 210). As there is no direct acccess between Routes 83 and 210, the northern terminus functions as a legislative terminus only - Euclid Avenue continues north into the unincorporated community of San Antonio Heights and provides direct access to Mount Baldy.

North of the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60)), Route 83 follows an expanded right of way with six lanes of traffic and a 30-foot wide landscaped median. Through the communities of Ontario, and Upland, the route traverses several designated historic districts, with craftsman homes and civic buildings dating from the late 19th century lining either side of the street. South of the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60)), Route 83 assumes the characteristics of a rural highway, narrowing to two lanes while passing through what was traditionally agricultural land.

An interesting and unusual feature of the street occurs at the 'intersection' with the Foothill Freeway (State Route 210) in Upland. During the planning stages for the construction of the Foothill Freeway through the area, Upland residents (in conjunction with the residents of other communities along the route) successfully petitioned the State and local governments to require CalTrans to construct the new freeway 'below grade', i.e. build the road surface of the freeway below the elevation of the surrounding terrain. Furthermore, due to concerns of existing traffic volume, noise, etc. along major thoroughfares, such as Euclid Avenue, many Upland residents who lived along or near Euclid Avenue did not want a fully functional interchange at the junction between the new freeway and the street as it was anticipated that doing so would increase traffic and noise, thereby undermining the aesthetic qualities of the street and negatively affecting the residents' "quality of life". Thus, at the intersection of CA/SR-83 and CA/SR-210, there are no on/offramps or associated improvements like traffic lights - direct access between the highways is not possible. Instead, on both sides of the Euclid Avenue overpass there are two wide landscaped areas that provide a visual (and to a lesser extent, acoustic) buffer between the street and the freeway passing below . The landscaped area also serves to provide continuity with the landscaped segments of the street to the north and south of the intersection.

[edit] Star house

Beginning in 1960, a private residence directly north of Euclid Avenue in San Antonio Heights displayed an enormous five-point star of lights each holiday season. Traditionally the 35-foot star was lit each night between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day and was visible for miles throughout the Pomona Valley.

The star and the two-story home to which it was attached were destroyed October 25, 2003 in the Grand Prix Fire that swept through the area. More than $20,000 was raised to assist the property owner in rebuilding the star, so a temporary replacement measuring 65 feet tall was erected with a crane during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 holiday seasons. The star was not lit in 2006 after the copper wiring used to illuminate it was stolen from the site.

Ken Petschow, a commercial airline pilot who owns the property, said he hopes to light the star again in 2007.