Hollywood Freeway - Route Description

Route Description

The freeway runs from the Four Level Interchange in downtown Los Angeles to the Golden State Freeway in the Sun Valley district of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. From the Four Level Interchange to its intersection with the Ventura Freeway in the southeastern San Fernando Valley (also known as the Hollywood Split), the freeway is signed as part of U.S. Route 101; thereafter, it is signed as State Route 170.

The intersection of the Hollywood and Pasadena Freeways, known as the Four Level Interchange, is one of the major landmarks in Los Angeles and a symbol of the city's post-World War II development.

The entire route is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System.

Although Highland Avenue starts from south of Wilshire Boulevard, it does not pick up its State Route designation until it meets Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. This portion is unsigned and the only indications that it is a state highway are several reassurance shields on Highland Avenue. Before the freeway, Highland Avenue passes the Hollywood and Highland shopping center as well as the Hollywood Bowl, whereupon it goes directly onto northbound US 101.

SR 170 resumes its northbound route at the junction with the Ventura Freeway. SR 134 heads to the east and US 101 continues to the west. On the southbound side, a sign wrongly indicates "END Route 170," although this may be referring to the end of the freeway portion. Curiously, there is no interchange from SR 134 West to US 101 South. This connector route was put on hold pending the construction of the Laurel Canyon Freeway, which never came to fruition. Motorists intending to go in that direction must exit SR 134 at Cahuenga Blvd., make a left, continue on Lankershim Blvd. and follow the signs near Universal Studios to re-enter on US 101. Likewise, there is no interchange from US 101 North to SR 134 East. Motorists intending to go in that direction must exit US 101 at Vineland Ave., make a right, make another right on Riverside Dr. and enter SR 134 on the left. This interchange is also known as the "Hollywood Split."

SR 170 then continues through the northeastern portion of the San Fernando Valley, finally merging onto northbound I-5. There is no connector route to I-5 South because the angle between the two freeways is too acute.

There are HOV lanes in operation 24 hours a day in each direction of SR-170 between I-5 and the Hollywood Split interchange. As part of the I-5 improvements, construction has begun on the interchange of SR 170 and I-5 to make the current SR 170 carpool lanes connect with the proposed I-5 carpool lanes. This as well as improve traffic flow in and out of the interchange. When the I-5 improvements are completed, SR 170 carpoolers will be able to connect with the I-5 carpool lanes as well as the SR-14 carpool lanes (from the I-5) without merging into regular lanes.