Interstate 110 and California 110 provide a continuous freeway link from the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro with downtown Pasadena. The portion of freeway between San Pedro and Interstate 10 is Interstate-standard as the Harbor Freeway. This section of freeway has benefited by the construction of separated high occupancy vehicle lanes and multimodal transportation facilities. Interstate 110 transitions into California 110 at the Interstate 10 interchange; the Harbor Freeway becomes the Pasadena Freeway at the "Four Level Interchange" at Junction U.S. 101 (Hollywood Freeway). This section of California 110, between Interstate 10 and Interstate 5, passes through downtown Los Angeles, and it is always full of traffic at all hours of day and night.
California 110 then turns northeast, headed toward Pasadena with an entirely different look and feel. Gone are all of the innovative transit and high occupancy vehicle lanes that were featured on Interstate 110. In fact, much of this freeway has seen little change, with very short deceleration lanes for exits, stop signs on the onramps, narrow or nonexistent shoulders, and limited sight distance. Originally known as the Arroyo Seco Parkway, the Pasadena Freeway is an original freeway from the 1940s, and much of the highway is in its original condition. It is nowhere near Interstate standards. By the time it reaches Pasadena, California 110 changes into Arroyo Parkway, a wide surface street. The state route ends at Colorado Boulevard (Historic U.S. 66), just shy of Interstate 210. At this time, the state is considering decommissioning portions of this city street and returning it to the city of Pasadena, but it has not yet occurred.
California/Interstate 110 was originally U.S. 6 along the Harbor/Pasadena Freeway south of Interstate 5 and U.S. 66 along the Pasadena Freeway north of Interstate 5. After the U.S. routes were decommissioned, the freeways were known as California 11 between 1964 and 1985. In that year, the Harbor Freeway south of Interstate 10 was added to the Interstate Highway System, so the entire route was recommissioned as Interstate 110.
Northbound Interstate 110
Rare button copy standalone, neutered Interstate 110 shield along northbound just after the merge with traffic from southbound California 47. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Northbound Interstate 110 approaching Exit 1B, Channel Street/John S. Gibson Boulevard. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Northbound Interstate 110 approaching Exit 3A, C Street, one and a quarter miles. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Northbound Interstate 110 approaching Exit 3A, C Street, one-half mile. The next exits are Anaheim Street and Junction California 1/Pacific Coast Highway (which travels east-west through here). Photo taken 03/31/03.
Northbound Interstate 110 at Exit 3A, C Street. Exit 3B is Anaheim Street in one-half mile. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Southbound California 110 along Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena. This segment of city street may be decommissioned from the state highway system. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Begin Southbound Pasadena Freeway (California 110) as it leaves the city of Pasadena. This was designated as U.S. 66 until 1964, when that route was eliminated. Photo taken 07/21/01.
This is a typical section of the Pasadena Freeway (California 110) as it follows the original alignment of the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Note the overall narrowness of the road and right of way and the limited sight distance. This highway is listed in the National Historic Registry, and it is not likely to be reconstructed into a modern freeway. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Southbound Pasadena Freeway (California 110) at Exit 29, Avenue 60. This exit is basically a sharp right turn from the freeway onto Avenue 60. Also note the bridge, which is lower than Interstate standards. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Southbound California 110 approaching Junction Interstate 5, Exit 26B, one-quarter mile. Upon passing this interchange, California 110 widens out substantially from the four to six lane freeway seen along the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway segment. The signage here is a bit confusing; no, U.S. 101 does not suddenly appear merged along California 110, but the signage should say "To U.S. 101" to make the situation clearer. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Transition ramp from southbound California 110 (Pasadena Freeway) onto southbound U.S. 101 (Hollywood Freeway) is signed as Interstate 5 and Interstate 10, even though this ramp really goes onto U.S. 101. Signage in and around downtown Los Angeles' freeways can be a bit tricky. An auxiliary offramp from the transition ramp is part of Exit 24A from southbound California 110. The next picture shows the Four Level Interchange from this transition ramp. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Transition ramp from southbound California 110 (Pasadena Freeway) onto southbound U.S. 101 (Hollywood Freeway) at the historic Four Level Interchange. This vantage point shows the other levels in this symmetrical stack interchange: California 110 (Pasadena/Harbor Freeways) on the second level, the transitions from southbound U.S. 101 to northbound California 110 and from northbound U.S. 101 to southbound California 110 on the third level, and U.S. 101 on top. Photo taken 07/21/01.
Exit numbers have even found their way to southbound Interstate 110. This photo shows a one and a quarter mile advance sign along southbound approaching Exit 1B, Channel Street and Pacific Avenue and Exit 1A, Junction Northbound California 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge to Terminal Island. The control city on this sign says "Long Beach," but subsequent signs say "Terminal Island" or "Vincent Thomas Bridge." It is even more confusing when you consider that Long Beach is actually east of here, not north, but California 47 is a north-south route. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Southbound Interstate 110 approaching Exit 1B, Channel Street and Pacific Avenue, three-quarters of a mile. The following exit, Junction California 47, is listed on this mileage sign as "Terminal Island" rather than "Junction California 47." Photo taken 03/31/03.
Southbound Interstate 110 approaching Exit 1B, Channel Street and Pacific Avenue, next right. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Southbound Interstate 110 at Exit 1B, Channel Street/Pacific Avenue. The next exit is Exit 1A, Junction Northbound California 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge to Terminal Island. Through traffic is defaulted from southbound Interstate 110 onto Gaffey Street, which leads into San Pedro. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Southbound Interstate 110 at Exit 1A, Junction Northbound California 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge to Terminal Island. Photo taken 03/31/03.
Other Pictures of Interstate 110
Interstate 110 and California 47 trailblazer shields located near the southern terminus of Interstate 110 at its junction with California 47 (which leads to the Port of Los Angeles and Terminal Island via the Vincent Thomas Bridge). At one time, Pacific Avenue into San Pedro south of the California 47 junction was known as California 110, but that section of state route was decommissioned. For more, see the Interstate 110 Guide. Photo taken 07/21/01.
California 110 trailblazer along Historic U.S. 66, Colorado Boulevard. Photo taken 07/21/01.
