Dragnet on MeTV with some many freeway footage

Started by roadman65, November 18, 2014, 11:55:19 AM

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roadman65

Today I was watching Dragnet on MeTV that opened with a scene of the classic 4 level interchange on the Hollywood Freeway/ Santa Ana Freeway and the present 110 freeway which I believe had a different number then in 1967.

As actor Jack Webb gave his opening voice over monologue telling the viewing audience about The City: Los Angeles, California and a brief summary about it before going in to how the episode they were to see was to fit in, an old classic speed limit sign was shown that was on the city freeway system.   It not only was inverted with white letters on a black face, but included the word" Maxiumu Speed Limit" followed by "65" and not 55 as I believe all the freeways within the LA City Limits are presently.

All through the series you would often see some footage of old cars and trucks of the era of the Vietnam War, of when that show was first run, the classic double guy signals that most of California gave up for the modern bent mast arms, and even the original concrete freeway surfaces  including the street lights on them which also were double guy mast arms instead of the now popular truss style mast arms, straight mast, or even the head only on top of the pole that many state and municipal agencies are now using.

I thought that I would bring this up in its own thread being California is broken up into many threads being that that particular show has so much road geek nostalgia being its over 40 years ago when the roads were very much different then.  I, myself, find it interesting that inverted speed limit signs were used then, and it was worded so differently as the MUTCD back then, I imagine was much different.  Plus 65 in the LA City Limits was like 60 was all along the Garden State Parkway north of Toms River even through Irvington that is now 50 mph that I witnessed growing up as a child before Nixon or Ford lowered the national speed limit to 55 to save gas.

A great show I must say that many road geeks would enjoy all the stuff in the many episode's footage.  Including Jack Webb stating that at the time of production of the one episode that LA had over 132 miles of freeway which is far less than what is is now with all the expansions like the 105 freeway and other such additions since Dragnet got cancelled on NBC in 1971.  Also in 1967 the population was only 3 million then and it was the nation's third largest city then as it was Chicago the was number two up until the mid 80's census was taken.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe


roadfro

Quote from: roadman65 on November 18, 2014, 11:55:19 AM
...an old classic speed limit sign was shown that was on the city freeway system.   It not only was inverted with white letters on a black face, but included the word" Maxiumu Speed Limit" followed by "65" and not 55 as I believe all the freeways within the LA City Limits are presently. ...I, myself, find it interesting that inverted speed limit signs were used then, and it was worded so differently as the MUTCD back then, I imagine was much different.

I haven't been down to the LA area for a while, but I have to imagine that very few, if any, of the area freeways are signed for a 55 mph speed limit...

"Maximum Speed XX" was an older Caltrans standard, although in more recent years this was standard coloring (white on black). ISTR, although could be wrong, that the wording was used to reflect some peculiar aspect of California's highway law (a similar reason exists for the odd white/double yellow striping pattern formerly used along SoCal HOV lanes). From my casual observation in the last several years, the custom speed limit wording is being gradually phased out in favor the standard message (perhaps more so when Caltrans combined their traffic manuals within the 2003(?) MUTCD to create the first California MUTCD?).
Roadfro - AARoads Pacific Southwest moderator since 2010, Nevada roadgeek since 1983.

myosh_tino

Quote from: roadfro on November 19, 2014, 02:46:22 AM
"Maximum Speed XX" was an older Caltrans standard, although in more recent years this was standard coloring (white on black). ISTR, although could be wrong, that the wording was used to reflect some peculiar aspect of California's highway law (a similar reason exists for the odd white/double yellow striping pattern formerly used along SoCal HOV lanes). From my casual observation in the last several years, the custom speed limit wording is being gradually phased out in favor the standard message (perhaps more so when Caltrans combined their traffic manuals within the 2003(?) MUTCD to create the first California MUTCD?).

The ending of the NMSL is what ultimately killed the "MAXIMUM SPEED" signs in California although existing signs were allowed to remain until they were replaced due to age or being damaged.

FWIW, the MAXIMUM SPEED sign had already been deleted from the last Caltrans Traffic Manual (1996) before being integrated into the 2003 MUTCD.
Quote from: golden eagle
If I owned a dam and decided to donate it to charity, would I be giving a dam? I'm sure that might be a first because no one really gives a dam.

mrsman

Quote from: roadfro on November 19, 2014, 02:46:22 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on November 18, 2014, 11:55:19 AM
...an old classic speed limit sign was shown that was on the city freeway system.   It not only was inverted with white letters on a black face, but included the word" Maxiumu Speed Limit" followed by "65" and not 55 as I believe all the freeways within the LA City Limits are presently. ...I, myself, find it interesting that inverted speed limit signs were used then, and it was worded so differently as the MUTCD back then, I imagine was much different.

I haven't been down to the LA area for a while, but I have to imagine that very few, if any, of the area freeways are signed for a 55 mph speed limit...

"Maximum Speed XX" was an older Caltrans standard, although in more recent years this was standard coloring (white on black). ISTR, although could be wrong, that the wording was used to reflect some peculiar aspect of California's highway law (a similar reason exists for the odd white/double yellow striping pattern formerly used along SoCal HOV lanes). From my casual observation in the last several years, the custom speed limit wording is being gradually phased out in favor the standard message (perhaps more so when Caltrans combined their traffic manuals within the 2003(?) MUTCD to create the first California MUTCD?).

Most of the freeways in the LA area are 65 today, but some of the oldest sections are 55.  The 110 from I-10 north to Pasadena is 55.  The 101 from Hollywood to the East LA interchange is 55.  I believe that some portions of the 10 and the 5 that pass near Downtown LA are also 55.  But in the Dragnet era they all were 65.



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