Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today:
Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans’ plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks pretty much like it did when it opened – a full-sized Autopia.
I say if you really want preservation, get Caltrans to reduce the speed limit to its original 45 mph and give back its “Route 66” birth name.
If Girardot was trying to be sarcastic, it’s not working very well.
I’ve been on that historic freeway numerous times. It’s signed at 55 mph on the straightaways, and drops to 50 mph along many stretches. The highway contains a lot of curves, tunnels and extremely short entrance ramps. Reducing the speed limit to 45 wouldn’t affect commute times much and would improve safety.
And re-signing it as Route 66? Well, I obviously would be in favor of that.
It’s hard to see a bad side to this proposal — if it indeed is one.
There’s actually been a study done that indicates that reducing the speed limit to 45 – and actually enforcing it – could be beneficial. The study, however, also looked at removing the outer (third) lane and using the additional space for a shoulder and longer on- and off-ramps. This, too, would be fitting the initial design of the Arroyo Seco Parkway (although it apparently opened with three lanes of traffic each way on December 30, 1940). The study indicated that the reduced speed and fewer travel lanes would reduce weaving and accidents and therefore reduce delays caused by those accidents during non-peak times, while not significantly adversely affecting peak-time traffic.
https://www.arroyoseco.org/ARROYOSECOCMPfeb132004.pdf
Here’s the 2004 Draft Plan that had a national team of experts look at safety and preservation for the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway.
In 1993 the California Legislature re-classified this roadway as a historic parkway, NOT a freeway. Based on this designation, engineering and design solutions were offered that comprehensively dealt with improving safety while maintaining the historic attributes. This included speed reduction to its original design speed (45mph), based on the geometrics.