The notation on the back of the photo reads "New 4 lane super highway under construction just west of Donner Summit." The Tribune clipping, dated July 15, 1959, attached to the back of the photo reads "FREEWAY TO SKYWAYS -- Travelers to Olympic Valley, Donner Summit and eastern points on Highway 40 will soon begin using this six-mile leg of freeway above Soda Springs by late this fall. It is one of 10 freeway projects on Highway 40 east from the Solano County line to Nevada. South Fork of the Yuba River courses at right of picture, near two-lane highway. Freeway will cost just under $1,000,000 a mile." Highway 40 would be designated Interstate 80 later on. [Note: Something appears to be wrong with the assigned location of this photo. If this were ABOVE Soda Springs, the land at right center would be flat, behind the dam at Lake Van Norden, not shown. Also, the railroad tracks shown at the left edge would be to the right of the river if it were above Soda Springs. It is possible that the area is farther west, say around Yuba Gap. JM 10/24/2000]