The Los Angeles Times is reporting about an unknown artist who has been adding bogus freeway signs. In this case, it is an unauthorized sign at the SB Sunset Blvd onramp to I-405 directing people to the “Trump National Golf Course” in Palos Verdes. Although to me it clearly isn’t real (Caltrans is now using reflectorized signs that are brighter green, for one thing), it was realistic enough to fool Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents several nearby Westside neighborhoods and for years has crusaded against illegal signs and billboard blight. He called Caltrans thinking they put it up, and demanded it be removed.
To me, this evokes memories of August 2001, when artist Rick Ankrom modified one of the signs leading up to the NB I-5 offramp to add a “NORTH” placard and I-5 shield. Construction was based on MUCTD standards and the signs were riveted onto the sign structure, even fooling Caltrans who allowed the modification to remain. As of 2005, these signs were still there and looked to be standing up better to the elements than the standard Caltrans issue signs!
Another attempt was noted by the Times: The installation in August 2000 by “Heavy Trash” of 8 signs along the 15-mile route in an attempt to promote civic dialogue about the need for better transportation in Los Angeles. These signs indicates a future route of an “Aqua Line” of MetroRail. Ironically, the upcoming “Expo Line” of MetroRail was going to be called the Aqua Line.
Truth? Reality? It all depends on the signs.
