This is one of the more interesting of the 'over-under' urban freeway interchanges. All of the eastbound Santa Monica ramps go over the Harbor, and all but one of the westbound ramps go under in a fairly efficient arrangement of local and through lanes. There are also several local street access ramps located *inside* of this interchange (ie. There is a NB on ramp one block NW of the Figueroa St/Washington Bd intersection and a NB off from the Harbor and a WB off from the Santa Monica that both end one block south of Pico Bd). This interchange also has a few weaknesses, though, such as a crossover weave on the eastbound Santa Monica (traffic from the EB Santa Monica through lanes to the SB Harbor crosses over traffic from the 'local' lanes from Vermont Av westward that continues east on the Santa Monica). Overall, this is one of the most beautifully designed freeway junctions in the USA. Most of this interchange is elevated above its near downtown neighborhood, and was threaded around several of the local blocks of buildings.
Oh yea...
***ADMIT IT!!!!!!***
You've seen this one on TV. The California Highway Patrol post featured in the TV series 'CHiPs' is located inside the south cloverleaf loop of this interchange. :-)
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Just follow this sign to make your OWN great signs!!!! |
|
|
This page © Michael G. Koerner |
 |
|---|
