180 East in Fresno County

180 has one of the highest vista points of the major highways in the Sierras. Interstate 80 has an overlook near Penryn but it is not all that high up. The same can be said for US50 east of Sacramento. In both cases, their main overlooks are under 2000' high. On the other hand, 180 has a 6897' Summit and overlook. 180 does not run through the Sierras to the other side, though it has been proposed at times to connect to US395. The highway runs through the Sequoia National Forest, a small part of King's Canyon National Park, then the Sequoia National Forest, then King's Canyon National Park again.

Between 99 and 41. The 180 freeway temporarily ends near Chestnut and is detoured onto the existing 180 highway in East Fresno. 180 was open from 99 to 41 in August 1995, and the eastern section of that project was under construction since 6/1992.

[180 East]

Getting ready to leave the Valley. This set is from August 1995, August 1997, and November 2003. Around 2020 a four lane expressway project is being built from Smith Road to Frankwood. Minkler and Centerville will be bypassed and preserved. There is access from those two points to the new expressway.

[180 East]

This is just past the Friant-Kern Canal.
You get the sense you are really going somewhere exotic at this point.
The hills get closer to the road and there isn't any major climbing at first. There is the site of an old house to the north of the highway in this area.

[180 East]

At Cove Rd on 180 heading east.

[180 East]

180 East
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