California State Route 146

Infobox road
state=CA
type=SR
route=146
section=446
maint=Caltrans

---

length_mi=13
length_round=0
length_ref= [ [http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/structur/strmaint/brlog2.htm January 1, 2006 California Log of Bridges on State Highways] ]
direction_a=West
terminus_a=jct|state=CA|US|101 near Soledad
junction=Pinnacles (break in route)
direction_b=East
terminus_b=jct|state=CA|SR|25 near Paicines
previous_type=SR
previous_route=145
next_type=SR
next_route=147

State Route 146 is a state highway in Monterey and San Benito Counties in Central California. The route serves as an entryway to the Pinnacles National Monument, located in the Gabilan Mountains, from both the Salinas Valley on the west and State Route 25 on the east.

This route is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=shc&group=00001-01000&file=260-284 CA Codes (shc:260-284)] ] .

Route description

Route 146 is divided into two sections and does not provide a continuous vehicular route through the monument. The western part of Route 146 passes from U.S. Route 101 near Soledad along "Metz Road" and "Shirttail Canyon Road" to the west area of Pinnacles. The eastern portion runs into the east area of Pinnacles from Route 25 along "Pinnacles Road".

Highway 146 has the distinction of following the San Andreas Fault line for much of its length. As it does, it straddles two separate land masses: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate.

According to the National Park Service, Pinnacles has been administered as a wilderness area as long as that unit has been under their jurisdiction, and NPS sources contacted during research cannot recall any time when Route 146 proceeded through the park unbroken.

External links

* [http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr146 Caltrans: Route 146 highway conditions]
* [http://www.cahighways.org/145-152.html#146 California Highways: Route 146]

References