The construction of the Hollywood Freeway (aka the 101) took from 1924, when plans were first drawn up to 1968, when the final section was completed. This photo was taken in 1954, not long after the section connecting the San Fernando Valley to downtown Los Angeles opened. We can see the sign for the upcoming Melrose Ave exit, which these days is a very densely trafficked part. I think it’s funny that there are more palm trees in this photo than there are cars.
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I have always felt that if, way back then, they had worked mainly on public transportation; more subway lines, kept the above ground lines like trollies, added overhead trains, etc. we would not have had to go through all the years of smog, torn up neighbourhoods and rush hour congestion. Remember, there was a time when the Los angeles area had more trolley track than any city in the world. We have paid dearly for our “Love affair with cars”. I don’t know who to blame but I suspect that the big auto makers, along with oil and tire companies had a lot to do with it. Imagin a Los angeles with trolley dars, a vast subway system and overhead rail. A much more beautiful Los angeles it would have been. Just sayin’
Oh yes, Richard, it was absolutely a manipulation of the automobile manufacturers. They have A LOT to answer for.