California State Route 87

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State Route 87
(CS&HC Section 387)
Length:	9 mi[1] (14.48 km)
Formed:	1964 renumbering[2]
South end:	SR 85 in San Jose
Major junctions:	I-280 in San Jose
North end:	US 101 in San Jose
California State Routes < SR 86S SR 88 > Unconstructed - Deleted - Freeway - Scenic

State Route 87, locally called Highway 87 or the Guadalupe Freeway, is a north-south state highway entirely within San Jose, California, United States. Its name was changed from Guadalupe Parkway in 2004 after its entire length was upgraded to a freeway. Its southern terminus is at State Route 85 (West Valley Freeway); its northern terminus is at U.S. Route 101 (Bayshore Freeway), just north of San José International Airport. The highway intersects with Interstate 280 (Junipero Serra Freeway) in downtown San José. Unusually, it crosses above Interstate 880 without an interchange. For most of its length, especially in downtown, the highway follows the course of the Guadalupe River.

[edit] Overview

A Guadalupe Parkway connection between Downtown San Jose and the present day US-101 had existed since the early 1960s; the road channeled traffic between the Bayshore Freeway and ramps that connected directly to Market Street. However, construction on a freeway over the same path and southward beyond Downtown began a decade later and stretched across 30 years.

The first stage of the Highway 87 freeway, its 4-level interchange with I-280, replaced an old downtown neighborhood in the early 1970s. A ramp to Julian Street, north of the interchange with I-280, was completed in the mid-1970s. The freeway extension north to Taylor Street was completed in the 1980s. The southern part, from I-280 to Highway 85, was opened to Almaden Expressway in 1992 and to Highway 85 in 1993. At Highway 87's northern terminus, its 3-level interchange with Highway 101 and North First Street was completed in 1992. Finally, with all grade-level intersections replaced by grade separations, construction of the 87 freeway between Taylor Street and the Highway 101/North First interchange was completed in 2004, with the final ramps at the Skyport interchange opening in 2005.

Highway 87 looking north towards downtown San Jose from Communications Hill. The light rail (lower left) runs between the northbound and southbound lanes; the freeway is under construction to add an additional lane in both directions.

The right-of-way for Highway 87 south of Interstate 280 includes two tracks for the Guadalupe line of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's light rail system. Stations are accessible from the streets via staircases and elevators. Beyond 87's terminus, the line continues southeastward in the median of Route 85.

Highway 87 is now in the process of being widened to 6 lanes between Taylor Street and Highway 85, with completion expected by 2007. The new lanes are to be dedicated for carpool use during rush hour, and the expansion of the highway's northern section to 6 lanes has been completed.

Route 87 is part of the Freeway and Expressway System, as stated by section 253.1 of the California State Highway Code.

[edit] Exit list

Mileposts derived from^[1] and exit numbers derived from.^[3]

Mile	#	Destinations	Notes
SCL 0.01	1A	SR 85 south - Gilroy	Southbound exit and northbound exit
	1B	SR 85 north - Mountain View	Southbound exit and northbound exit
	1C	Santa Teresa Blvd	Southbound exit and northbound exit
SCL 1.34	1	Capitol Expressway; Capitol Automall	Exit 1D southbound; Northbound exit and entrance accessible via Narvaez Ave
SCL 2.84	3	Curtner Avenue	Exit 3A southbound
SCL 3.38	3B	Almaden Expressway	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
SCL 4.07	4	Alma Avenue	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
SCL 5.16	5	I-280 - San Francisco; To US 101
SCL 5.21	6	SR 82 - San Carlos Street; Auzerais Avenue; Santa Clara Street; Julian Street	Northbound exit and southbound entrance
SCL 5.56	6A	Park Avenue; SR 82 - San Carlos Street	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
SCL 6.10	6B	Julian Street	Southbound exit and northbound entrance
SCL 6.86	7	Taylor Street
SCL 7.51		I-880	Crossing, no access
SCL 8.25	8	Skyport Drive
SCL 9.08	9A	North First Street	Northbound exit and southbound entrance (at-grade intersection)
	9B	US 101 north - San Francisco	Northbound exit and southbound entrance

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} January 1, 2006 California Log of Bridges on State Highways
2. ^ California Highways: State Route 87
3. ^ Cal-NExUS Interchange Exit Numbering

[edit] External links

• Caltrans: Route 87 road conditions
• Caltrans Highway 87 Project
• Eric Buchanan's Highway Photo Page: 87 Guadalupe Parkway (project history and historical images)
• Western Exit Guide - California 87