July 19: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

Written by Kenn Bicknell

1954: Construction begins on the Fourth Street open cut and elevated extensions of the Harbor Freeway adjacent to downtown Los Angeles.

The project provides a sorely needed traffic artery through the Bunker Hill neighborhood of the city. Planning for the Fourth Street extensions began in November, 1952.

The full story of planning, constructing, and opening the project can be found in the May-June, 1956 issue of California Highways and Public Works.

1989: The California Assembly Transportation Committee passes SB1. The bill, authored by State Senator Alan Robbins of Van Nuys, seeks to reorganize local transit agencies within Los Angeles County by creating a new Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) through the abolishment of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the subsequent “merging” with the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission.