LA Observed on KCRW: Preparing for Carmageddon

The Automobile Club of Southern California Archives have some stunning photos from the decades in which the L.A. area was discovering its relationship with the car. They provide a rare historical record of streets and roads going way back. This one isn't so old — it's listed as May, 1962 — but it's very timely given the Carmageddon weekend coming up. It looks north toward the Valley through Sepulveda Pass, with the Skirball Drive bridge (today's name) in the foreground and the longer Mulholland Drive overpass in the center of the canyon. The 405 freeway bed is still under construction, and Sepulveda Boulevard follows a temporary course that takes it off screen to the west. Click the photo to enlarge it.

It's the Mulholland Drive bridge, of course, where the start of demolition is forcing the 405 to close this weekend for the first time. The closure and the unprecedented steps being taken by officials to cope with gridlock on city streets are the subject of my KCRW column that aired Monday night. Sure, the freeway shutdown is being hyped — but it's not necessarily over-hype. Listen or read.

Photo: Automobile Club of Southern California Archives