East Los Angeles Interchange, interchange in California
The East Los Angeles Interchange is a major highway junction that connects Interstate 5, Interstate 10, U.S. Route 101, and State Route 60 with multiple connector ramps and bridges. The facility spans about 135 acres and includes thirty-two bridges and twenty support walls built from concrete and steel to handle the flow of over 430,000 vehicles passing through daily.
The first roads in the area appeared around 1943 with what is now Interstate 10, followed by the initial extension of the Santa Ana Freeway in 1948. Modern interchange construction took place during the 1950s and 1960s, with bridges over the Los Angeles River built in the late 1950s and the Pomona Freeway completed in 1965.
The interchange is named after Eugene A. Obregon, a U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient whose service is remembered in the area. Local people often call it "Malfunction Junction," a nickname that reflects how well-known and central this highway hub has become to daily life in Los Angeles.
The interchange is difficult to navigate because many highways do not connect directly, and drivers must take detours to reach certain exits. Plan your route in advance and be especially cautious during rush hours when congestion is common and quick lane changes may be necessary.
One unusual feature is that the Santa Ana Freeway (U.S. 101) passes straight through the interchange without needing ramps, while other highways require numerous curves and direction changes. Additionally, a ramp built in 1955 was removed forty years later in 1995 to adapt the facility to changing traffic patterns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
