Image by bigmikelakers via Flickr
Prodded by Caltrans, the Cultural Heritage Commission will tomorrow take up the issue of whether to support a push for the 110 Pasadena freeway, aka the Arroyo Seco Parkway, to be named a national historic monument, reports The Eastsider LA. The Arroyo Seco, built in 1940, was the first modern freeway built in the West and passes parks, embankments, bridges, and tunnels as it snakes its way between downtown and Pasadena.
While few could argue with its grandeur (other than the tagging and numerous accidents), some are saying the parkway's historic status has been tarnished by the recent Caltrans-conducted safety upgrades that included new lights and concrete barriers. The Highland Park Heritage Trust, which fought to stop the upgrades because they believe it ruined the historic character of the freeway, says they support the nomination but are concerned with an application for monument status, calling it unclear. “Not enough was written in the nomination to easily understand all the elements that are part of the road, how much is still intact and can/should be preserved going forward,” the Highland Park Heritage Trust said, according to The Eastsider. The HPHT believes monument status for the freeway would help the development of an Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District.
· Caltrans Seeks to Make LA's First Freeway Historic [The Eastsider LA]
· Caltrans Tinkers With 110 Freeway [Curbed LA]
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