PICTORIAL GUIDE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGHWAYS

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SR-110

Arroyo Seco Parkway / Harbor Freeway / Gaffey Street

Runs from the 10 to Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena and from the 47 south along Gaffey Street to 9th Street in San Pedro

Historical Information

Former US 66 between US 101 and Pasadena. Former US 99 from I-5 to US 101. State Route 11 until 1984.

About SR-110

The Arroyo Seco Parkway was officially opened on December 30, 1940 and ran as freeway from the Los Angeles River to Glenarm Street in Pasadena. Other segments between Los Angeles and Pasadena opened earlier in 1940. In 1944, it was extended south into downtown Los Angeles, ending just north of Sunset Blvd. In 1952, it was further extended through the Four Level Interchange, connecting with the Harbor Freeway. Between 1954 and 2010, the section from the Four Level Interchange to Pasadena was known as the Pasadena Freeway.

Pictorial Guide

Signage at Gaffey St on 7th St. This has since been removed.
Signage at Gaffey St on 7th St. This has since been removed and is now kept at Caltrans D7 Headquarters.
Harbor Freeway through Downtown Los Angeles, looking south from 4th St.
Harbor Freeway through Downtown Los Angeles, looking south from 4th St.
Connector to the 101 NB from the 110 NB. This ramp has had traffic like this since 1952. Also note the new concrete railing on the top of the Four Level Structure.
Connector to the 101 NB from the 110 NB. This ramp has had traffic like this since 1952. Also note the new concrete railing on the top of the Four Level Structure.
College Ave bridge sign showing SR-11.
College St bridge sign showing SR-11.
Exit number on the southbound Sunset Blvd exit. Adjacent sign is for US 101.
Exit number from 1972 on the southbound Sunset Blvd exit. Adjacent sign is for US 101.
Northernmost tunnel on the northbound side of the freeway. Left exit is for I-5.
Northernmost tunnel on the northbound side of the freeway. Left exit is for I-5.
View of two of the NB tunnels from Park Row.
View of two of the NB tunnels from Park Row.

The segment of the Arroyo Seco Parkway from the Los Angeles River Bridge south to the Hill Street SB offramp was widened to five lanes. These photos were taken of the old four-lane configuration from the Park Row bridge.

SB lanes from the Park Row bridge. Exit on right is for Solano Avenue.
SB lanes from the Park Row bridge. Exit on right is for Solano Avenue.
One of the bridges to be widened. This is the Solano Avenue bridge dating to 1942.
Solano Avenue bridge dating to 1942.
View of the 110s and 5s merge. The 110 SB is on the right side. The heavy traffic is from the I-5 connector.
View of the 110s and 5s merge. The 110 SB is on the right side. The heavy traffic is from the I-5 connector.
1957 ACSC map showing a segment of the Arroyo Seco Parkway between I-5 and Ave 43.
1938 view of the Los Angeles River bridge.
1938 view of the Los Angeles River bridge. Courtesy – Caltrans
Arroyo Seco Parkway with the crossing of I-5 under construction in 1960.
Arroyo Seco Parkway with the crossing of I-5 under construction in 1960. Courtesy – Caltrans

Typical exits and exit signs on the Arroyo Seco Parkway: Order is South to North

Figueroa Street - Large space above exit name used to hold US 99 and US 6 shields. It is also the last original exit number heading northbound.
Figueroa Street – Large space above exit name used to hold US 99 and US 6 shields. It is also the last original exit number heading northbound.
Ave 43
Ave 43
Ave 52
Ave 52
Via Marisol
Via Marisol
Marmion Way / Ave 64
Marmion Way / Ave 64
Bridewell Ave - Actual exit is in the background to the right.
Bridewell Ave – Actual exit is in the background to the right.
One of the imfamous STOP signs on the Via Marisol onramp NB.
One of the infamous STOP signs on the Via Marisol onramp NB.
View northbound from the Ave Marisol Overcrossing. The pavement on the freeway is original from 1939-1940.
View northbound from the Ave Marisol Overcrossing. The pavement on the freeway is original from 1939-1940.

The Arroyo Seco Parkway has been designated as historic :

Heading NB just south of Pasadena Avenue
Heading NB just south of Pasadena Avenue
York Avenue bridge - built in 1912.
York Avenue bridge – built in 1912.
1949 photograph of the Arroyo Seco Parkway between Bridewell Avenue and Pasadena Avenue. Photo Courtesy - Caltrans.
1949 photograph of the Arroyo Seco Parkway between Bridewell Avenue and Pasadena Avenue. Photo Courtesy – Caltrans.
One of the few signs still on Arroyo Parkway for SR-110. It was relinquished a few years ago.
One of the few signs still on Arroyo Parkway for SR-110. It was relinquished a few years ago.
Former north end of SR-110 at the junction with Arroyo Parkway (former Broadway) and Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.
Former north end of SR-110 at the junction with Arroyo Parkway (former Broadway) and Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.

Related Highway Resources

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2 thoughts on “SR-110: Arroyo Seco Parkway / Harbor Freeway”

  1. Great photos! Wish you had one of Ave 72! It has speciall significance for my family 🙂
    IF you have one, please let me know!

    Thank you!!!!!!!!

    Reply

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