1950

1960

1965

## Growth of a System

The freeway system began as a few short segments that upgraded existing highways: the Arroyo Seco Parkway replaced a portion of North Figueroa (to the extent of usurping its tunnels); a new Aliso Street bridge built to freeway standards crossed the Los Angeles River; a mile of parkway straightened Cahuenga Pass. When large-scale construction began in the 1950s, priority was assigned to the radial routes feeding downtown. During the 1960s, as these main arterials were completed, construction was refocused on the circumvential routes lacing the suburban periphery. The 1970s were a time for closing the gaps in the system, and few new freeways were begun, although nearly as much freeway mileage was opened in that decade as was in existence in 1960.

1970

Second Street Cable Railway, Looking West

As in all American cities, transportation became the key to selling real estate. A number of small railway companies were launched to make private landholdings accessible from the small downtown area. By 1888 more than 44 miles of cable and electric railways were in operation. Most of the companies were short-lived, and after a series of mergers they became part of the Los Angeles Railway system. (Courtesy UCLA Special Collections.)

1950

1960

1965

## Growth of a System

1970

Right-of-Way Clearance

More than a quarter of a million people have been displaced by freeway construction in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. Right-of-way clearance, like any form of urban renewal, places an undue burden on displaced households, ranging from the disruption of established neighborhood relationships to uncompensated monetary costs incurred in relocating. Although California has long been a leader in the development of increasingly just compensation policies, the majority of the relocated households would not receive the full benefit of this liberal trend, since reimbursement was not retroactive. It is ironic, but not at all coincidental, that the most disruptive civic venture should produce the most profoundly permanent impact on Los Angeles' urban geography. The photo shows the site of the San Gabriel River freeway through Norwalk in 1962. (Courtesy of CALTRANS.)