Why are LA freeways so ugly? (Los Angeles, Brea: university, airport, suburbs)

[Stoney.]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Who said anything about trash?



I like em both, but the SA-LA drive has an edge to it. Scary almost.

Barb wire, graffiti, signs that haven't been replaced in my lifetime, overgrown brush, gray pavement, what's not to like?

Yeah, nothing like barb wire on the soot-covered freeway signs (some of which date back to the 1960's) and graffiti to give your drive that post-apocolyptic feel. That stretch of I-5 through Santa Ana to LA is rather dodgy- nothing but a low slung gaurd rail separating the north-south lanes and no center median to speak of. Truly the quintessential L.A. driving experience.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by Stoney.

Yeah, nothing like barb wire on the soot-covered freeway signs (some of which date back to the 1960's) and graffiti to give your drive that post-apocolyptic feel. That stretch of I-5 through Santa Ana to LA is rather dodgy- nothing but a low slung gaurd rail separating the north-south lanes and no center median to speak of. Truly the quintessential L.A. driving experience.

Since I don't drive from Hollywood to Monterey Park anymore like I used to, can anybody tell me if that fine mural of Tony Curtis still there? I used to admire that mural cause he looked so tough.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Stoney.

Yeah, nothing like barb wire on the soot-covered freeway signs (some of which date back to the 1960's) and graffiti to give your drive that post-apocolyptic feel. That stretch of I-5 through Santa Ana to LA is rather dodgy- nothing but a low slung gaurd rail separating the north-south lanes and no center median to speak of. Truly the quintessential L.A. driving experience.

Ahhhhhhh, now your talkin'!

[buzzkillb]

Originally Posted by yamota

you know why they're called highways in the east coast and freeways in california? Because in California, you're free to do anything you want! Miss your exit? No problem! Just back up the car, it's a FREE WAY!

I wish people would stop doing that. Also trucks and other cars stopping in the middle of the offramps for no reason is truly dangerous. Not to mention all of the people who drive over the median when going from the 5 North to the 110 North.

[Nightscape]

Originally Posted by Stoney.

Yeah, nothing like barb wire on the soot-covered freeway signs (some of which date back to the 1960's) and graffiti to give your drive that post-apocolyptic feel. That stretch of I-5 through Santa Ana to LA is rather dodgy- nothing but a low slung gaurd rail separating the north-south lanes and no center median to speak of. Truly the quintessential L.A. driving experience.

I used to commute from fullerton to dtla everyday on that stretch and you've described it perfectly. But concrete walls in the median are now up from 605 and on. The stretch between the 605 and 91 is going through a widening project currently and those dodgy guard rails will most likely be replaced I'm assuming.

[Marv101]

Most of them are very old, anywhere from 40-75+ years.

[john3232]

The freeways are indicative of LA as a whole.

[Chicano3000X]

I love the old grittyness of it. Graffiti on the sides of the walls, etc.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Chicano3000X

I love the old grittyness of it. Graffiti on the sides of the walls, etc.

Do those train overpasses on the 5 just past downtown going north still have that crazy graffiti on them?

[Stoney.]

Originally Posted by Nightscape

I used to commute from fullerton to dtla everyday on that stretch and you've described it perfectly. But concrete walls in the median are now up from 605 and on. The stretch between the 605 and 91 is going through a widening project currently and those dodgy guard rails will most likely be replaced I'm assuming.

Good to hear that Caltrans is finally improving that section of I-5...its been years since I've driven it.

I did, however, have the distinct pleasure of traversing the 405 north last Friday in afternoon rush hour from the South Bay through the Sepulveda pass and carpool lane construction into the Valley, which included an appointment that required exiting at Wishire Blvd and then getting back on the 405- an exercise that I equated to inserting oneself in drying cement. Good Lord, I don't know how you Angelenos deal with that kind of traffic on a daily basis. The traffic in San Diego is nothing compared to LA. I have to say though that my experience with LA drivers was quite positive- letting me merge when I needed to or yielding, etc. Kudos!