Question:
When was the original Road Department established? Thanks.
Answer:
In 1898, the County of Los Angeles took a big step forward to improve its roads by contracting for 383 miles of oiled roads. Before the destructive effects of the automobile, oiled roads were believed to be the among the highest achievements in road building.
The State Legislature passed the "Good Roads Law of 1907," which supplied counties with authority to hold bond elections to improve roads countywide in accordance with definite plans prepared by a “Highway Commission." The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors immediately appointed a Highway Commission of three members to study the roads of the County.
After an exhaustive study, the Highway Commission submitted its report recommending the voters of the County be asked to approve a $3,500,000 bond issue. In 1908, the question of issuing the bonds was put to a vote of the people. The bonds were approved and soon the roads were being buiIt under the direction of the Highway Commission.
On June 2, 1913, the Charter of Los Angeles County went into effect. Under authority of the Charter, the Board of Supervisors created the Road Department and appointed a Road Commissioner to integrate the Highway Commission with the Road Maintenance Organizations of the Supervisorial Districts. In 1947, 34 years later, the provisions for a professional Road Commissioner were written into state law.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works was formed on January 1, 1985, consolidating the former County Road Department, a portion of the County Engineer-Facilities, and the County Flood Control District. In 1995, Public Works assumed the responsibility for capital projects from the County Internal Services Department.
Divided into 30 divisions and groups, Public Works now employs over 3,500 people in approximately 450 separate job classifications, including professional, technical, clerical, and skilled craft workers. Public Works' operating budget is over $1 billion and is funded by restricted revenues, such as gas sales tax, benefit assessment, water and sewer sales, user fees, and contract cities revenues. Headquartered in Alhambra, California, Public Works has 77 field facilities in strategic locations throughout Los Angeles County to better serve its one million residents in the unincorporated County areas, as well as contract cities.
When was the original Road Department established? Thanks.
Answer:
In 1898, the County of Los Angeles took a big step forward to improve its roads by contracting for 383 miles of oiled roads. Before the destructive effects of the automobile, oiled roads were believed to be the among the highest achievements in road building.
The State Legislature passed the "Good Roads Law of 1907," which supplied counties with authority to hold bond elections to improve roads countywide in accordance with definite plans prepared by a “Highway Commission." The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors immediately appointed a Highway Commission of three members to study the roads of the County.
After an exhaustive study, the Highway Commission submitted its report recommending the voters of the County be asked to approve a $3,500,000 bond issue. In 1908, the question of issuing the bonds was put to a vote of the people. The bonds were approved and soon the roads were being buiIt under the direction of the Highway Commission.
On June 2, 1913, the Charter of Los Angeles County went into effect. Under authority of the Charter, the Board of Supervisors created the Road Department and appointed a Road Commissioner to integrate the Highway Commission with the Road Maintenance Organizations of the Supervisorial Districts. In 1947, 34 years later, the provisions for a professional Road Commissioner were written into state law.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works was formed on January 1, 1985, consolidating the former County Road Department, a portion of the County Engineer-Facilities, and the County Flood Control District. In 1995, Public Works assumed the responsibility for capital projects from the County Internal Services Department.
Divided into 30 divisions and groups, Public Works now employs over 3,500 people in approximately 450 separate job classifications, including professional, technical, clerical, and skilled craft workers. Public Works' operating budget is over $1 billion and is funded by restricted revenues, such as gas sales tax, benefit assessment, water and sewer sales, user fees, and contract cities revenues. Headquartered in Alhambra, California, Public Works has 77 field facilities in strategic locations throughout Los Angeles County to better serve its one million residents in the unincorporated County areas, as well as contract cities.