Which of the following statements does not accurately describe the freeway system that emerged in California?

a. It was funded by a mix of federal and state money

b. It facilitated the spacial isolation of minorities

c. Los Angeles attempted to deal with the resulting air pollution by imposing restrictions on the freeway system and its growth.

d. It finally replaced the electric trains with diesel-fueled buses

The correct answer is c. Los Angeles attempted to deal with the resulting air pollution by imposing restrictions on the freeway system and its growth.

Explanation:

The freeway system of California refers to the vast network of freeways that connect the state, built mostly between the 1950s - 1960s. In the early 20th century, California had a well developed rail mass transit system, along with several urban streetcar systems. However, the expansion of the freeways and the increasing popularity of cars led to their demise and their eventual replacement with diesel-fueled buses. This system was funded by a mix of both state and federal funds, with most of the latter coming from the Highway Trust Fund, which gets its money from a federal tax on gasoline. However, this freeway system was not without controversy: roads often had to be built across urban communities populated mostly by minorities. This led to many communities being torn apart or becoming isolated from others while freeways criss-crossed their previous homes.

The one thing that it's not true is that the city of Los Angeles attempted to restrict freeways due to being concerned with pollution - quite the opposite. As cars got more and more widespread and as the metropolitan are of Los Angeles increased, more and more freeways were built to try and cope with it. Now Los Angeles freeway system serves a population of over 20 million people - with all the pollution problems that this represents. While cars are less pollutant now that in the past, high levels of smog and ozone are still a health concern in Los Angeles area.