Freeways of Los Angeles@FreewaysLA

Everything you always wanted to know about Los Angeles freeway history and engineering but were afraid to ask. We cover local state highways too.

 LA, Orange & Ventura Counties
facebook.com/groups/Freeways…
Joined April 2018
3,830 Photos and videos
1935 - Looking west over Ramona Blvd (US-60-70-99) from Lord St OC in Boyle Heights. Ramona Blvd was Los Angeles's first proto-freeway, opening five years before the Arroyo Seco Pkwy. Ramona Blvd was upgraded to Ramona Pkwy/Fwy in 1945, including adding a median . . . 1/2
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barrier and a concrete lane in each direction. Renamed San Bernardino Fwy in 1954 and re-signed as I-10 in 1964. Realigned and widened to full interstate standards in 1972. Construction of Golden State Fwy (I-5) interchange at this location turned Ramona Blvd into a ghost. 2/2
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We've finally reached 10,000 "X" followers! Thank you all for your support. May all of your travels be pleasant and safe.
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1956-June-04 - Newly opened Harbor Fwy (then US-6/CA-11, now I-110) in Wilmington, approaching Anaheim St near Pacific Coast Hwy (then US-101 Alt, now CA-1). New ice plant seedlings in median (DOH D7 Archives photo).
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1957-March-14 - Looking northerly over San Diego Fwy (initially CA-7, now I-405) construction at Wilshire Blvd interchange (LA Examiner). Southern terminus of freeway spills onto Sepulveda Blvd (then CA-7) at lower right. Northern terminus of this segment is at Sunset Blvd. 1/2
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VA facilities at left; Los Angeles National Cemetery at upper right. Federal building would later be built in empty lot at right. Today, Getty Center is located in background Santa Monica Mountains. 2/2
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1953 - Newly constructed Newport Blvd (CA-55); looking north towards Costa Mesa near E. 15th St (DOH D7 Archives).
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Freeway Engineering 401 - A Study in Contrast of Interchange Types. See photo captions for details. 1/3
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Long Beach Fwy (I-710) at Willow St four quadrant cloverleaf interchange - All movements to/from local street are provided without left turns. Small loop radii limits on-ramp speed. To improve freeway operation, collector roads are typically added to separate weaving traffic.
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San Bernardino Fwy (I-10)/Orange Fwy (CA-57) fully directional four level interchange providing high speed movements. Ideally, connector radii are designed for 50 mph. Higher construction costs due to multiple structures and right of way required for interchange footprint.
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1962-July-31 - Orange/Foothill Fwy Study Lines map through Diamond Bar and San Dimas, as presented in a public hearing that day. Identified here with legislative route numbers 240-272 (DOH D7 Archives). Originally Orange Fwy (CA-57) from planned Pomona Fwy (CA-60) to . . . 1/2
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San Bernardino Fwy (then US-60-70-99, now I-10), and Foothill Fwy (CA-210) north of I-10; now the Orange Fwy (CA-57) in its entirety. The "Orange" alignment, with the "Lt Green" option in the north, was ultimately selected & built. Note that the north arrow is to the right. 2/2
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1962 - Freeway planning and approval flow chart. At that time there were no environmental approval requirements. This flow chart was used in a 1962 public hearing for the Orange Fwy.
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1962 - Looking SE over Ventura Fwy (US-101) construction near Emma Wood State Beach. Pacific Coast Hwy (then US-101 Alt, now CA-1) crosses over railroad tracks at Ventura OH (CH&PW photo).
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1953-Nov-10 - SB Santa Ana Fwy (then US-101 Alt, now I-5) at Lakewood Blvd (CA-19) exit in Downey (BPR photo). Santa Ana Fwy, south of Lakewood Blvd, was then under construction. US-101 was rerouted south to Firestone Blvd as US-101 Bypass. Note use of bear shield on exit sign.
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Freeways of Los Angeles retweeted
Martin Turnbull, author@TurnbullMartin
Sep 25
Night view looking west over Santa Ana Fwy (the 101) from the “Chinese Wall” at Union Station, #DTLA, 1962. Apparently “the Chinese Wall” was a nickname for the retaining wall along Aliso St. I assume a nod to how Union Station was built where LA’s original Chinatown had been.
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1967-May-11 - Facing SW on South Ford Blvd in East LA, under newly constructed four level Pomona Fwy (CA-60)/Long Beach Fwy (then CA-7, now I-710) interchange (DOH D7 Archives photo). 1/2
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This was Los Angeles's second four level interchange, built 17 years after the first in downtown LA. WB-60 to SB-7 connector structure at right. Today this location looks virtually the same as nearly 60 years ago. 2/2
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1968 - Looking SW over Ventura Fwy (US-101) construction in Ventura. Note temporary bypass road around construction. Victoria Ave interchange at lower center; Montalvo railroad OH at center. Santa Clara River in background; Ivy Lawn Memorial Park at bottom (DOH photo).
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Correction: "looking southeast" not SW. My bad!
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