California Highways: 
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Routing
Post 1964 Signage HistoryThis routing is unchanged from its 1963 definition.
Pre 1964 Signage HistoryThis was LRN 100, defined in 1933.
StatusThere is confirmation of signs at the junction with Route 160, both on Route 220 itself and on Route 160. The route includes the J-Mack Ferry at Steamboat Slough (which is unsigned, unlike the Route 84 Ferry). The J-Mack is a cable ferry; i.e. it runs along a cable just under the water's surface.
J-Mack Ferry (SOL 3.2)
In February 2009, the J-Mack was taken out of service briefly for repair and reconstruction. The
J-Mack, built in 1969, runs on an inch-thick steel cable draped through
Steamboat Slough between Ryer Island in Solano County and Grand Island in
Sacramento County. Powered by two diesel engines, the ferry uses a
mechanical system that grabs the cable and pulls the ferry back and forth.
The J-Mack doesn't need replacing, but it needs some mechanical work and
is in desperate need of a new paint job. Normally the ferries run round
the clock, stopping only for twice-daily 20-minute lunch breaks, when
river conditions make it unsafe to operate, or when something breaks down
and needs fixing, which has been happening often. It appears that it was
taken out of service again in in late January 2010.
At the end of September 2019, it was reported that the
Route 220 J-Mack Ferry is out of service due to federally mandated Coast
Guard inspections. It will be back in service near the end of November
2019.
(Source: CBS Sacramento, 9/30/2019)
In December 2019, it was reported that the J-Mack Ferry
has returned to service, and its sister ferry, the Real McCoy on Route 84,
could return to service as early as the end of January 2020. The J-Mack
Ferry on Highway 220 was taken out of service in September for repairs and
Coast Guard inspections. But as soon as it came back into service, the
J-Mack went out again. The ferry has developed mechanical problems which
are currently being diagnosed.
(Source: Daily Republic, 12/13/2019, Patch 12/17/2019))
In October 2024, it was reported that Caltrans has scheduled a long-term closure of the Route 220 J-Mack Ferry. The closure starts Sunday Night, September 29, 2024, and will continue for approximately 2-3 months. The closure is needed to perform repairs and federally mandated Coast Guard inspections. Per Coast Guard regulations, the J-Mack ferry cannot operate until the boat is dry-docked, the hull has been inspected at its 5-year interval, and the inspection is completed. The Delta’s companion ferry, the Real McCoy Ferry (Route 84) can be used for crossings, while the J-Mack Ferry is out of service. Note that this is a sizable detour: Down to Rio Visa, across at Route 12, and then back up Route 160 (or if you are going the other direction, you would take Route 160 and across at Courtlan Road and back down). However, due to ongoing mechanical repairs please be advised that both ferries could be out of service at any give time.
In June 2025, the CTC amended the following long-lead
project INTO the 2024 SHOPP: 04-Sol-220 3.2; 04-Sol-084 2.49. PPNO
04-2927B; ProjID 0424000242; EA 1X070. Route 220 Near Howard Landing, at
Steamboat Slough Ferry (J-Mack) Bridge № 23-0037; also on Route 84
at Real McCoy II Ferry Bridge № 23-0245 (PM 2.49). Replace
ferries. (Long Lead Project). Allocation ($ × $1000) [“⊘”
indicates phase not programmed]: PA&ED $4,000; ⊘PS&E
$7,956 ; ⊘R/W Sup $25; ⊘Con Sup $9,588; ⊘R/W
Cap $136; ⊘Const Cap $47,803;
TOTAL $69,508. Concurrent COS allocation under Resolution FP-24-96; June
2025.
(Source: June 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1c) #1)
In June 2025, the CTC approved the following SHOPP
Pre-Construction Phase Allocation: $4,000,000. 04-Sol-220 3.2; 04-Sol-84
2.49. PPNO 04-2927B; ProjID 0424000242; 1X070. Route 220 Near Howard
Landing, at Steamboat Slough Ferry (J-Mack) Bridge № 23-0037; also
on Route 84 at Real McCoy II Ferry Bridge № 23-0245 (PM2.49).
Replace ferries. (Long Lead Project). Concurrent Amendment under SHOPP
Amendment 24H-012; June 2025. Pre-Construction Phase Alllocation: Budgeted
(Actual, if different): PA&ED $4,000,000.
(Source: June 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #9)
March 2026 review of the DRAFT 2026 SHOPP noted the
following updated instance of this project (updates in bold, if
possible): 04-Sol-220 3.2; 04-Sol-084 2.49. PPNO 04-2927B;
ProjID 0424000242; EA 1X070. Route 220 Near Howard Landing, at Steamboat
Slough Ferry (J-Mack) Bridge № 23-0037; also on Route 84 at Real
McCoy II Ferry Bridge № 23-0245 (PM 2.49). Replace ferries.
(Long Lead Project). Note: Complex and lengthy environmental
consultation and permitting is anticipated for fish passage barrier
mitigation, construction of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities and
quantity of culverts being repaired and replaced. Due to inclusion of
fish passage and bicycle and pedestrian facilities, longer design and
public outreach time is anticipated. Allocation ($ ×
$1000): PA&ED $4,000; ⊘PS&E
$7,956 ; ⊘R/W Sup $25; ⊘Con Sup $9,588; ⊘R/W
Cap $136; ⊘Const Cap $47,803;
TOTAL $69,508. “⊘”
indicates phase not authorized.
(Source: Caltrans SHOPP Page: DRAFT 2026 SHOPP PROPOSED, State Highway Operation and Protection Program, Fiscal Years 2026-27 through 2029-30
(PDF), January 31, 2026; March 2026 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 4.7)
Other WWW Links
StatisticsOverall statistics for Route 220:
Pre-1964 Legislative RouteThis route number appears not to have been assigned by the California Legislature before the 1963 renumbering.
© 1996-2024 Daniel P. Faigin.
Maintained by: Daniel P. Faigin
<webmaster@cahighways.org>.
From Route 
Route 219
Route 221