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Interstate 105: The Century Freeway Chronicle

An in-depth exploration of Southern California's vital east-west artery, from its complex origins to its modern role.

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Route Description

Geographic Span

Interstate 105 (I-105), commonly known as the Century Freeway and officially the Glenn Anderson Freeway, is a significant east-west auxiliary Interstate Highway in the Greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. It extends from State Route 1 (SR 1) near El Segundo and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) eastward to Studebaker Road in the City of Norwalk.

Parallel Pathways

The freeway largely parallels Imperial Highway and is situated one mile south of Century Boulevard, from which it derives its original name. Century Boulevard itself is named for its position corresponding to 100th Street in the Los Angeles grid system.

Termini and Connections

Its western terminus is at Sepulveda Boulevard (SR 1) near LAX. While the state legal definition ends at I-605 in Norwalk, the freeway's HOV lanes extend slightly further east to an at-grade intersection with Studebaker Road. Notably, I-105 does not directly intersect its parent route, I-5, but connects to auxiliary routes of I-5 that do intersect I-5, namely I-405 and I-605.

History & Development

Early Planning and Delays

I-105 was conceived as part of a 1960s Caltrans master plan for Southern California's freeway system but faced significant delays. Its right-of-way appeared on plans as early as 1947, but it wasn't officially named the "Century Freeway" until 1956 and was initially designated Route 42. The current route was added to the Interstate system in 1968.

Community Opposition and Legal Battles

Community opposition, particularly from predominantly African-American neighborhoods impacted by planned demolitions, led to route modifications and legal challenges. The landmark lawsuit Keith v. Volpe (1972) cited civil rights and environmental law violations. Judge Harry Pregerson's involvement was pivotal, leading to a consent decree that mandated design changes, including a transitway (now the Metro C Line), below-grade construction in some areas, and housing replacement programs.

Construction Challenges

Construction, which began in the 1980s, encountered issues such as groundwater deposits and below-grade trenching, leading to structural problems like buckling and cracking. An elaborate pumping system was installed to manage water issues along the eastern sections.

Century Freeway Housing Program

A unique outcome of the Keith v. Volpe decree was the Century Freeway Housing Program. This initiative, managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, aimed to replace housing that was demolished for the freeway's construction, addressing community displacement.

Cultural Landmarks

The freeway's path led to the demolition of homes significant to musical history, including the childhood residences of the Wilson brothers of The Beach Boys and the Carpenter siblings. The site of the Wilson home is now marked by the Beach Boys Historic Landmark.

Key Features & Integration

Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange

This complex, multi-level interchange connects I-105 with the Harbor Freeway (I-110). It is named in honor of Judge Harry Pregerson, who played a crucial role in overseeing the freeway's legal challenges and ensuring community benefits were included in its development.

Metro C Line Integration

A defining characteristic of I-105 is the Los Angeles Metro Rail C Line (formerly the Green Line), which runs in the median of nearly the entire freeway's length. The C Line's eastern terminus is at Norwalk station, adjacent to the I-105/I-605 interchange. This integration highlights a forward-thinking approach to urban transit planning.

Filming Location

Prior to its opening, the undeveloped freeway corridor served as a unique filming location for the 1994 action film Speed, showcasing the scale and potential of the new infrastructure.

Exit List

The following table details the major exits and connections along Interstate 105. Mileage is approximate and based on Caltrans data.

Location mi km Exit Destinations Notes
El Segundo / Los Angeles 0.00 0.00 1A Imperial Highway west Continuation beyond western terminus; posted at SR 1 interchange
0.05 0.080 California Street At-grade intersection
West end of freeway
0.50 0.80 1 Imperial Highway east Signed western terminus
El Segundo / Los Angeles 0.50 0.80 1B SR 1 south (Sepulveda Blvd) Westbound signage
0.50 0.80 1C SR 1 north (Sepulveda Blvd) – LAX Airport Westbound signage
0.99 1.59 1D Nash St / LAX Airport Alt. Exit Westbound exit & eastbound entrance
2.01 3.23 2A La Cienega Blvd / Aviation Blvd Westbound exit & eastbound entrance
Hawthorne / Lennox / Inglewood 2.01–2.11 3.23–3.40 2B I-405 (San Diego Fwy) – Santa Monica, Long Beach Pregerson Interchange; I-405 north exit 45A, south exit 45
3.32 5.34 3 Hawthorne Blvd / Prairie Ave Hawthorne Blvd not signed eastbound
Hawthorne 4.71 7.58 5 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles / West Athens 6.77 10.90 7A Vermont Ave
7.39 11.89 7B I-110 (Harbor Fwy) – Los Angeles, San Pedro Pregerson Interchange; I-110 north exits 14A-B, south exit 14A
7.39 11.89 I-110 Express Lanes north Two-lane left exit; left tolled, right HOV free
Los Angeles / Willowbrook 8.90 14.32 9 Central Ave
Willowbrook 9.78 15.74 10 Wilmington Ave
Lynwood 11.51 18.52 12 I-710 (Long Beach Fwy) – Pasadena, Long Beach I-710 north exits 11A-B, south exit 11A
Paramount 13.47 21.68 13 I-605 (San Gabriel River Fwy) – Pasadena, Long Beach Eastern terminus for non-HOV traffic; I-605 exit 9B
14.13 22.74 14 Garfield Ave Eastbound exit & westbound entrance
Paramount 14.65 23.58 15 Paramount Blvd Westbound exit & eastbound entrance
15.67 25.22 16 SR 19 (Lakewood Blvd)
Norwalk 17.82 28.68 18A I-605 south (San Gabriel River Fwy) Includes direct exit to Rosecrans Ave
17.82 28.68 18B I-605 north (San Gabriel River Fwy)
Norwalk 17.91 29.21 Hoxie Ave – Norwalk Metro Station HOV exits only; eastbound entrance from Hoxie Ave
Norwalk 18.15 29.21 Studebaker Rd Eastern terminus of I-105 HOV lanes; at-grade intersection
  • Electronic toll collection
  • HOV only
  • Incomplete access
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Future Developments

Express Lanes Conversion

Plans are underway to convert the existing High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-105 into High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. This initiative aims to provide more flexible transportation options and manage traffic flow more effectively. The project is being implemented in segments, with ongoing design and engineering phases for various sections.

See Also

Related Topics

Explore related topics for a broader understanding of California's transportation network and infrastructure:

  • California Roads Portal
  • Greater Los Angeles Portal
  • Auxiliary Interstate Highways
  • California Freeway and Expressway System
  • Metro C Line

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Interstate 105 (California) Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional engineering, urban planning, or transportation consultation. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific project needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.