In Depth: A look at LA's iconic infrastructure
LOS ANGELES - This week on In Depth we take a look at LA’s historic infrastructure... from the Metro to the freeways.
Segment One- Metro
Hal interviews Dave Sotero from Metro on what’s new with the transportation company. Sotero discusses the situation post-COVID lockdowns. He says passengers will be expected to pay transit fares again, but there will be discounts. They are also running a pilot program allowing students to ride for free.
He talks about the conversion of buses on the G line in the valley to all electric. Sotero also discusses the progress of the transit line going to LAX. A Metro –airport connector is being built right now that will allow them to transfer to the People Mover at LAX.
Segment Two- LAX
Hal is joined by Justin Erbacci, the CEO of Los Angeles World Airports to talk about all the new projects at LAX. Erbacci discusses the progress of the construction on the People Mover, and what is it expected to do. He talks about the new parking structure that just opened at the airport and the website that will allow people to reserve a spot before the leave for the airport, which is parking.flylax.com. There is also a rental car terminal under construction which will be the largest concrete structure in the U.S –second only to the Pentagon. Urbacci also tells us about the online food ordering service through laxordernow.com where meals and drinks can be ordered and then picked up in the terminal.
Segment Three- History
Paul Haddad joins Hal. He is the author of a new book about the history of our freeways called "Freewaytopia: How Freeways Shaped Los Angeles." Haddad discusses the days of the Diamond Lane, and explains why it was such a failure. He also talks about the Pasadena freeway, which was the first freeway in LA, and the way that when freeways were new there were beauty queens and celebrities involved in the grand ribbon cutting to initiate the openings. Haddad discusses the way LA became known for its freeways- to the point that many of them appeared on postcards commemorating the city.
Segment Four- Wrap up
Hal promotes his podcast and we watch a video of three humpback whales playing with a boat off the coast of Oxnard.
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