SR-170: Hollywood Freeway Extension / Highland Avenue

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Hollywood Freeway Extension and Highland Avenue
Runs from State 2 at the junction of Highland Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard to I-5 in Sun Valley with a break between US 101/Highland Avenue to US 101/SR-134/SR-170 interchange.

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Route 170 is a fairly short route. A portion of it ran along Highland Avenue in the Hollywood area. That segment was unsigned for many years, though signage was installed in 2001. It was finally relinquished a few years ago to the City of Los Angeles. The northern segment, the Hollywood Freeway Extension, is a fairly well developed freeway. HOV lanes run along its entire length with direct HOV connections under construction at the northern junction with I-5. The former left entrance to I-5 north has also been replaced with a right onramp. Much of the freeway runs along a series of parks that were in place long before the freeway was completed in 1965.

State 170 is also something of a “new” sign route. There was no surface routing of 170 through the San Fernando Valley. Lankershim Blvd, its predecessor, was designated as LRN 159 but had no sign route assigned to it. When the Hollywood Freeway Extension was being planned, it was to be designated as US 6. This plan was short lived, as US 6 was cut back to Bishop, California in August 1963. It was then that SR-170 came into being as a sign route. The US 6 designation did last long enough to be posted on the signs at the south end of the freeway at the 170/134/101 interchange and was in the original sign plans for the 5/170 interchange. Very little evidence of this designation exists today.

1963 map showing US 6 heading down Lankershim Blvd (former LR-159). It was never signed.
1963 map showing US 6 heading down Lankershim Blvd (former LR-159). It was never signed.
Closeup of the 170 shield on Highland Ave
SR-170 signage on southbound Highland Ave, just north of Franklin Ave.
SR-170 signage on southbound Highland Ave, just north of Franklin Ave.
US 6 was originally going to be moved onto the Hollywood Freeway, but was cut short before it was opened. The WEST banner was for US 6.
US 6 was originally going to be moved onto the Hollywood Freeway, but was cut short before it was opened. The WEST banner was for US 6.
Opening celebration in 1962. Signage in the background shows US 6 and US 101.
Opening celebration in 1962. Signage in the background shows US 6 and US 101.
White State 134 shield, still in place as of late 2020. It is the same sign as pictured above.
Northbound near Sherman Way. Bridge in background is the Whitsett UP (53-1674).
Northbound near Sherman Way. Bridge in background is the Whitsett UP (53-1674).
North end of the 170. This interchange is being rebuilt.
North end of the 170. This interchange is being rebuilt.
Junction sign, something of a rarity these days.
Junction sign, something of a rarity these days.
1962 Sign plans for the 170 / 5 Interchange showing US 6 and no SR-170.
1962 Sign plans for the 170 / 5 Interchange showing US 6 and no SR-170.

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