Monday 30th December 1940

California opened its first freeway, the 8 mile Arroyo Seco Parkway (now called the Pasadena Freeway), connecting Pasadena with Los Angeles. It is notable not only for being the first, but also for representing the transitional phase between early parkways and modern freeways. It conformed to modern standards when it was built, but is now regarded as a narrow, out-dated roadway. A 1953 extension brought the south end to the Four Level Interchange in downtown Los Angeles and a connection with the rest of the freeway system.