Laguna Summit facts for kids

Laguna Summit is a mountain pass located in the Cuyamaca Mountains of southeastern San Diego County, California. It's a high point on Interstate 8, reaching an elevation of about 4,055 feet (1,236 meters). This pass is one of the highest points along the highway as it crosses the mountains.

Laguna Summit is the second highest of four main highway summits east of San Diego. The first is called Carpenter Summit. After Laguna Summit, you'll find Crestwood Summit and then the Tecate Divide. These summits are all important spots along the highway.

You can find Laguna Summit just east of a town called Pine Valley. It's also right near where the Sunrise Highway meets Interstate 8. The Sunrise Highway goes north towards the Laguna Mountains. An older road, Old Highway 80, also crosses the pass. It follows the Sunrise Highway for a bit, then becomes a smaller road next to Interstate 8.

Building the Highway

How Interstate 8 Was Made

Building Interstate 8 through this area was a big project. The road's path was changed in some places. For example, it moved from Arnold Way to Alpine Boulevard as it went through Alpine. It also passed through the Viejas Indian Reservation.

Then, the highway entered the Laguna Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest. For most of this part, the new Interstate 8 followed a path very similar to the old US 80 highway.

Cost of Construction

By August 1970, all the money needed for the freeway was ready. The section from Japatul Valley Road to Laguna Junction cost about $22 million. This would be like spending about $120 million in today's money. Another part cost around $15 million in 1970, which is about $82 million today.

Changes to Old Roads

During construction, a part of old US 80 had to be closed. This section went from Pine Valley up to the Sunrise Highway. Before the freeway was built, a new cutoff road was made. This road, now called old US 80, goes directly from Pine Valley to the Sunrise Highway.

Near the "Laguna Junction" was a famous roadside cafe. It was there from 1916 until it was removed to make space for the Interstate 8 interchange. The United States Geological Survey now calls "Laguna Junction" a historical name. It has been replaced by "Laguna Summit."

A part of old US 80 still exists today. The first few miles are even signed as SR 79. This old road helps people get to towns like Descanso, Guatay, and Pine Valley.

Interstate 8 reaches its highest point, about 4,000 feet, at what used to be Laguna Junction. This spot is now known as Laguna Summit. After the summit, the highway goes downhill towards Buckman Springs Road.

See Laguna Summit on Google Street View.