Skip to content
Metro Transportation Research Library and Archive: Click to return to homepage
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog

April 14: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

1883:  The Spring & Sixth Street Railroad Company is deeded to the Sixth & San Fernando Street Railroad Company.

 

 

1964:  Consulting engineer Wilbur Smith and Associates presents the Beverly Hills Freeway Traffic Study to the Beverly Hills Director of Public Works.

 

The study assesses two alignments and their impact to the city.

The northerly route is generally parallel to Sunest Boulevard, while the southerly route is generally along Santa Monica Boulevard.

The traffic volume in 1964 for the affected area was assessed to be 30% overloaded, while there is no capacity available to serve future growing demand for east-west movement, with all north-south arteries fully utilized by 1990.

In regards to the proposed “Backbone Route” of 1961 running from El Monte through downtown to the newly-planned “Century City,” the study states:

The question might be asked: Won’t the planned rapid transit system absorb enough of the 73% increase by 1990 to make a freeway unnecessary?

This can be answered simply in the negative, in view of the fact that this proposed system will subtract only 12,000 vehicles per day from the traffic stream in Beverly Hills, out of an anticipated east-west movement of 325,000 motor vehicles.

More information can be found in the 1964 Beverly Hills Freeway Traffic Study full-text report.

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

Metro's Primary Resources

Part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Facebook-f Flickr Threads Youtube Envelope

Quick Links

  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net
  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net

Contact Us

1 Gateway Plaza, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Email: library@metro.net
  • Employee Hours: 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Thursday
  • General Public: Open by Appointment
Vintage transit poster that reads Rail Rapid Transit now! Contains image of speeding red rail car to convey urgency.

Copyright © 2025 Metro

 

Loading Comments...