dena Freeway. The Pasadena Freeway follows the path of a stream that flows down from the San Gabriel Mountains into the Los Angeles River. In 1895, it was surveyed for a highway. But it was not until 1931 that a highway project was actually authorized. The rationale at the time being that the highway project would create employment at a time of high un-employment during the great depression of the 1930s. There was initial opposition from business interests fearing an unfavorable diversion of traffic. But in 1934, the plan was expanded to in-clude a 40 foot roadway separated by a 6-foot planted divider in the arroyo. Opposition continued, with some residents fearing that a transportation route would divide the city up into separate sec-tions and destroy potential property values. However, by 1939, a section of the Six-lane divided highway was opened and it was editorialized as a highway that provided both speed and safety. Subsequent studies have shown that the lowered roadbed of this freeway built in a big gulch (arroyo) resulted in better property values, less noise and less visual pollution than a raised roadbed (Goodwin, p. 346-351).
This policy of building freeways is continuing in Los Angeles, though more use is being made of the elevated roadway.
The freeways are still considered the important corridors necessary for the economic growth of the region. Freeways are compared to arteries and have been called the life-blood of the city. Historically, business has prospered in the heart of the major transportation corridors. Nationwide, business has also flourished along the major interstate highways. Thus, in building the new Century Freeway, state transportation planners are working in conjunction with real estate developers, who see a limitless potential for economic development along the major transportation corridors. Indeed, part of this new freeway even includes a bridge crossing over to a new $20 million Hilton Hotel tha...