Barack Obama Highway Officially Opens in Southern California

Obama Freeway (Credit: SD25.senate.ca.gov)

The signs are up and the traffic is humming along President Barack H. Obama highway in Southern California.

The California Department of Transportation finished installing the highway signs this week, renaming a stretch of the Ventura (134) Freeway after the former president, state officials said Thursday.

The renaming of the freeway between State Route 2 in Glendale and the 210 Freeway in Pasadena comes about a year after the presidential tribute was signed into law in September 2017.

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The legislation was authored by State Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles).

“This is an exciting day for Southern California and it showcases our deep respect and appreciation for President Obama,” Portantino said in a statement Thursday on his website. “The President has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he traveled after him.”

Obama attended Occidental College in the area from 1979-81, and lived in Pasadena before transferring to Columbia University in New York.

On the other side of town, a Los Angeles road is also getting a new moniker in honor of the nation’s 44th president.

In August, the Los Angeles City Council voted 15-0 to change the name of Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard.

The 3.5-mile road runs through a neighborhood where Obama held a rally in 2007, during his campaign for the White House.