California State Route 186

For the earlier highway signed as Route 186, see California State Route 186 (1964-1969).

x70px State Route 186
Algodones Road
SR 186 highlighted in red
Route information
Defined by Streets and Highways Code § 486
Maintained by Caltrans
Length:	2.070 mi (3.331 km)
Existed:	1972 – present
Major junctions
South end:	Mexican border near Algodones
North end:	I-8 near Winterhaven
Location
Counties:	Imperial
Highway system
State highways in California Interstate U.S. State Pre-1964 History Unconstructed Deleted Freeway Scenic ← SR 185 SR 187 →

State Route 186 (SR 186) is a route that connects Interstate 8 (I-8) with the U.S.–Mexico border near the Colorado River. Its southern terminus is near Los Algodones, Baja California, and its northern terminus is near Winterhaven, California in the location of Araz Junction. The route is only 2.070 miles (3.331 km) long, heading along the length of the Alamo Canal and the All-American Canal within the boundaries of the Fort Yuma-Quechan Reservation. The route was assigned in 1972 in Imperial County, and the interchange with I-8 was constructed a year later.

Route description

Border crossing into Los Algodones from Andrade, California at the southern end of SR 186

SR 186 begins at the United States–Mexico border (near Avenue International) in the community of Los Algodones. The route heads to the northeast along the Alamo Canal and crosses the center of the Fort Yuma-Quechan Reservation. Most of the surroundings of SR 186 are desolate, compared to the developed region across the border in Mexico. The highway continues northward, crossing the All-American Canal, where it turns to the north. SR 186 continues northward to an interchange with I-8 in Araz Junction, where the route terminates at the northbound ramps. The route continues northward as locally maintained Araz Road. Near the interchange is a casino operated by the Quechan Native American tribe that opened in 2009.

SR 186 is not part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility. In 2013, SR 186 had an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 3,700 at the southern end, and 8,100 at the junction with I-8, the latter of which was the highest AADT for the highway.

History

A road south from the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway to the Mexican border just west of the Colorado River existed by 1917, and was paved between 1956 and 1965. The Andrade Port of Entry at the southern end of the highway was built in 1970. The current alignment of SR 186 was assigned in 1972 by the California State Legislature.

There are two bridges along the alignment of SR 186. The first one to be constructed was a concrete slab bridge over the All-American Canal, with the structure opening in 1938. The bridge is 140.09 feet (42.70 m) long, and is considered unable to sustain the traffic it was designed to handle. The second bridge is located at the interchange with I-8 in Araz Junction. This bridge, constructed in 1973 (a year after the route was assigned), is a 227.03-foot-long (69.20 m) concrete box beam structure. This structure, unlike the other, is recorded to be in usable shape.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Imperial County.

Location	mi	km	Destinations	Notes
​	0.00	0.00	Mexico–United States border	South end of SR 186
Araz Junction	2.07	3.33	I-8 – El Centro, Yuma	Interchange; north end of SR 186
	2.07	3.33	Araz Road	Continuation beyond I-8; former US 80 east
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

• California Roads portal

External links

• California Highways – Route 186