In the Beginning

Notes and Links

Davius' first commandment, shown at right, reminds us that long ago, before most of us were even born, the Caesars of Rome felt the need to build roads. Lucky for Rome, they had Davius then; lucky for us, we have him now.
Now that we've got that straight, let's fast-forward to the Pasadena freeway. "The Arroyo Seco Parkway, also known as the Pasadena Freeway, is the first freeway in the United States. It connects Los Angeles with Pasadena alongside the Arroyo Seco seasonal river. It is notable not only for being the first, mostly opened in 1940, but for representing the transitional phase between early parkways and modern freeways. It conformed to modern standards when it was built, but is now regarded as a narrow, outdated roadway." [Quote from Wikipedia] The Pasadena Freeway signaled an important turn in California transportation, not only for the reasons explained at the above Wikipedia site (well worth reading), but for being a freeway.
As every cultured person knows, a freeway is so named for being "free" of slow-moving traffic such as horses and donkeys, and of cross traffic and traffic signals.
To realize the full impact of freeways on California transportation, please check out the two links at right.

Davius' First Commandment
Build roads from where travelers (Roman armies) are to where they need to go (unconquered villages and farms).

California Transportation Links
  Mass Transit in California
  Freeway Challenges