The intersection of State Route 46 and State Route 41 in California is the location of one of the most high-profile U.S. auto accidents—the wreck that claimed the life of actor James Dean in 1955. Even today the relatively high volume of traffic in the predominately rural area and unusual configuration of the interchange continues to contribute to a higher than average collision rate, officials say.
The California Transportation Commission approved a $171-million project on Dec. 9 that will widen four miles and completely reconfigure the notorious interchange. The section is referred to as "the wye" due to the triangular shape of the intersection, but it was officially named “James Dean Memorial Junction” on the 50th anniversary of the actor's death. Caltrans says the reconfiguration would not impact a memorial to Dean approximately a half-mile from the interchange.