The Fast and the Famous

In a new video produced by Motortrend, Jay Leno drives the Mercedes SLS AMG around the Mulholland Drive–Laurel Canyon–Sunset Boulevard–Coldwater Canyon loop. The video showcases not so much this gorgeous automobile but the pathetic condition of L.A.'s streets.



As Leno says as he turns down Laurel Canyon, "I don't think these roads have been resurfaced since, well, probably at least the '80." (My guess would be much earlier, since Laurel Canyon at that point is concrete, which L.A. no longer seems to use.)






Leno's comparison of his backyard loop to Germany's famed Nürburgring is wishful thinking, at best. But in fact, Los Angeles County does have an unofficial race circuit of sorts hidden within its borders: the Angeles Crest Highway—recently reopened after closure due to the 2009 Station Fire. And the surface is in much better condition.

ADDENDUM: According to this recent post from Curbed L.A., which I discovered after logging this entry. The Sunset Strip's concrete (from the 1930s!) will soon be getting a much needed re-surfacing. Leno will be thrilled.

Paving news, good and bad

The war-zone-like stretch of Sunset Boulevard asphalt between Highland and La Brea was finally paved last month. Stretches on either side of this mystery strip had been resurfaced for miles in either direction just a few years ago, but this quarter-mile limbo segment was somehow forgotten in the process.

I wrote both Council member Eric Garcetti and Council member Tom LaBonge about this needy stretch in front of Hollywood High two years back, since the Council district map was unclear as to which pol was in charge of this borderline street.

To their credit, I got personal phone calls from both of them. I distinctly remember Tom LaBonge telling me, "We'll get it done." And they did. Two years later. I suppose I should be grateful. Neither Rome nor Los Angeles was built—or repaired—in a day.


Now the bad news. Today's L.A. Times reports that "drastic new budget cuts" will most likely include slashing funds for street resurfacing when approved. The front-end alignment shops are rejoicing.