LA's Forgotten Pedestrian Tunnels: A Remnant of a Revolutionary Era

TLDRIn the early days of automobiles, Los Angeles built pedestrian tunnels to separate cars and pedestrians. This marked the shift of public space from pedestrians to cars. However, over time, these tunnels fell into disrepair and many were closed. Some have been repurposed, but most remain forgotten remnants of a bygone era.

Key insights

🚶‍♂️Pedestrian tunnels in LA were built in the early 20th century to separate cars and pedestrians and provide safe passage for children.

🚗The rise of automobiles led to the prioritization of car travel over pedestrian safety, resulting in the construction of pedestrian tunnels to alleviate traffic accidents.

🚧Despite once being popular and effective, many pedestrian tunnels in LA fell into disrepair and were closed due to lack of maintenance and safety concerns.

🌉Some pedestrian tunnels have been repurposed for community use, while others remain forgotten and serve as reminders of a time when cars took precedence over pedestrians.

🚸The legacy of pedestrian tunnels in LA highlights the ongoing tension between cars and pedestrians and the need for safe and accessible public spaces for all.

Q&A

Why were pedestrian tunnels built in LA?

—Pedestrian tunnels were built in LA to separate cars and pedestrians, providing safe passage for children and reducing the number of traffic accidents.

Why did pedestrian tunnels fall into disrepair?

—Pedestrian tunnels fell into disrepair due to lack of maintenance and resources. With the focus on expanding highways and prioritizing cars, funding for tunnel maintenance declined.

Are there any open pedestrian tunnels in LA?

—Some pedestrian tunnels have been repurposed for community use, but most of them have been closed due to safety concerns and maintenance issues.

What is the significance of pedestrian tunnels in LA?

—Pedestrian tunnels in LA represent a time when cars took precedence over pedestrians and public space shifted from pedestrians to cars. They also highlight the ongoing tension and need for safe and accessible public spaces for all.

What can be done to revive pedestrian tunnels in LA?

—Reviving pedestrian tunnels in LA would require significant investment in maintenance and safety measures. It would also require a shift in priorities towards prioritizing pedestrian safety and creating inclusive and accessible public spaces.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Los Angeles built pedestrian tunnels in the early 20th century to separate cars and pedestrians.

09:00Pedestrian tunnels in LA fell into disrepair and were closed due to lack of maintenance and safety concerns.

12:00Some pedestrian tunnels have been repurposed for community use, while others remain forgotten remnants of a bygone era.

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