ON-RAMP

Something there is that doesn’t love a freeway. Most Angelenos criticize, curse and complain about those giant concrete slabs that challenge their sanity with bottlenecks, potholes and crackpots. However, as with any troubled relationship, understanding is crucial. You spend hours alone with them, but how much do you really know about L.A.’s highways? (Answers at right.)

1) What was the first freeway in Los Angeles and when did it open?

2) How much does it cost per mile to build a new eight-lane freeway?

3) How many freeways dissect L.A. County?

4) How many miles of freeway are in the county?

5) What is the county’s shortest freeway?

6) What is the busiest freeway interchange?

7) What is an HOV lane?

8) How many freeway on-ramps are there?

9) What is the fine for driving in a car-pool lane without the required number of people?

10) How many registered vehicles are in the county?

ANSWERS (from Caltrans): 1) The Arroyo Seco Parkway, now known as the Pasadena Freeway (Interstate 110), which opened in December, 1940. 2) $110 million a mile. 3) 26. 4) Los Angeles contains 511 miles of freeway. 5) Route 90, the Marina Freeway--1.62 miles long. 6) The Santa Monica Freeway (I 10) and San Diego Freeway (I 405) junction, which handles an average of 509,000 vehicles daily. 7) High-Occupancy Vehicle lane (lay people know it as a car-pool lane). 8) 950 on-ramps. 9) $271 and up. 10) 5,933,287 (as of 1988).