California has long sought federal funds for an extension of Interstate 40 west of Barstow; any such extension would use the general path of SR 58, if not existing highway, at least as far west as Bakersfield, whose rapid growth has made it a significant generator of traffic in its own right. The desired highway is being built piecemeal as Caltrans has funds available, at least between Mojave and Barstow. Two at-grade intersections within of each other around mile 76, roughly halfway between Bakersfield and Mojave (Bealeville Road and California State Route 223), would have to be either closed or upgraded to interchanges for the whole of SR 58 to be up to Interstate standards. Caltrans has built bypasses of Mojave and Barstow up to Interstate standards.