This one just popped into my mind on the way home from work.
Do you have any roads in your area with unusual or rare surfaces? It may sound like a strange question, but in Cleveland, OH (near University Circle) there is a one block stretch of road that is made of wood!!! Wood Blocks, that is, and it is the last remaining wooden street in Cleveland (or Northeast Ohio, AFAIK).
Google Map View: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21)
Article on Hessler Court: http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=HRAHCHD
And in nearby Akron, Ohio, there is a street in which there is a combination of regular red brick pavers and raised granite stones on Bates Street, in the shadows of Downtown Akron, affectionately known as Bates Hill or Cadillac Hill. The "washboard effect" was used for traction on this super-steep hill. One of the most bone-jarring hills you'll ever traverse!
Google Map View: http://g.co/maps/f7ktg
Info on Cadillac (Bates) Hill here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376451397046.163941.93203972046&l=eab2994f72
Any other unusual street surfaces?
The City of Marquette, Michigan, has gravel streets in some neighborhoods not far from the campus of Northern Michigan University. They will be paved in the near future now that the city has agreed to assume the cost of improvement instead of special direct property tax assessments against the adjacent property owners.
Traverse City, Michigan, has several brick streets including blocks of Sixth, Seventh and Eighth streets south of downtown. As a kid, Cheboygan, Michigan, would have to lift the bricks used to pave the northernmost block of Main Street each winter. They'd reset them in the spring after the frost left the ground. I do believe that they finally paved the street in asphalt though.
Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria has one block paved with brick and then the next block after that is cobblestone. When we were kids we'd demand that my mom drive down the cobblestone street whenever we were there. Now I avoid that block. I rather doubt that stretch of cobblestones dates back to George Washington's time, but who knows. Some of the buildings date back to that period.
Street View of cobblestones (it's bumpier than it looks): http://g.co/maps/wy5z5
the A4 autobahn in western Poland, coming out of Germany just north of Gorlitz, D and Zgorzelec, PL, has not been modified or maintained since 1943 (!) and has the original cobblestone offramps (!!)
I call it the Secret Nazi Autobahn. it's kinda terrifying, as the speed limit is 50 km/h. the completely mangled concrete of the mainline should also count as an odd road surface, for sure!
Hill County Road 4281 (OLD US 81) near Hillsboro, Texas. This section was bypassed sometime after 1940..can't nail down the exact date due to lack of availible maps. Some portions of the concrete road have been patched or overlaid with gravel. Some sections have grass growing in them even though the road is still open and in use.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1209.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc395%2FBrian5561%2F07022011slr110.jpg&hash=031819fd86638943e8decac76e2ae8b9d9500943)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1209.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc395%2FBrian5561%2F07022011slr099.jpg&hash=7242430853ea8092721c28455bc22e836f191e83)
North Carolina still has 3 rural brick sections of road, two of which are still public road and the third is driveable:
old US 17 north of New Bern - http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/us017.html (http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/us017.html)
old NC 10 (Beaman Rd off NC 55 west of New Bern) - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+bern,+nc&hl=en&ll=35.154126,-77.136769&spn=0.00007,0.035276&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.25371,72.246094&hnear=New+Bern,+Craven,+North+Carolina&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=35.156961,-77.138428&panoid=ovtEc82LlMjAMEXsd_6o3Q&cbp=12,100.49,,0,0 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+bern,+nc&hl=en&ll=35.154126,-77.136769&spn=0.00007,0.035276&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.25371,72.246094&hnear=New+Bern,+Craven,+North+Carolina&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=35.156961,-77.138428&panoid=ovtEc82LlMjAMEXsd_6o3Q&cbp=12,100.49,,0,0)
off NC 344 near Weeksville - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Elizabeth+City,+NC&hl=en&ll=36.218691,-76.158375&spn=0.000017,0.008819&sll=35.156968,-77.138443&sspn=0.022561,0.035276&oq=elizabeth+cuty,+nc&hnear=Elizabeth+City,+Pasquotank,+North+Carolina&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=36.218591,-76.158354&panoid=xV88dKbzYs6DR9yKVVad7g&cbp=12,112,,0,0 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Elizabeth+City,+NC&hl=en&ll=36.218691,-76.158375&spn=0.000017,0.008819&sll=35.156968,-77.138443&sspn=0.022561,0.035276&oq=elizabeth+cuty,+nc&hnear=Elizabeth+City,+Pasquotank,+North+Carolina&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=36.218591,-76.158354&panoid=xV88dKbzYs6DR9yKVVad7g&cbp=12,112,,0,0)
US 60/VA 147 on Cary St in Richmond still has a brick/stone portion - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Richmond,+VA&hl=en&ll=37.535075,-77.433341&spn=0.000012,0.00441&sll=36.218587,-76.158353&sspn=0.005566,0.008819&oq=richmo&hnear=Richmond,+Virginia&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=37.535204,-77.433543&panoid=XZuzDrB9__7-Y1Xt0sKLHg&cbp=12,288.57,,0,-1.75 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Richmond,+VA&hl=en&ll=37.535075,-77.433341&spn=0.000012,0.00441&sll=36.218587,-76.158353&sspn=0.005566,0.008819&oq=richmo&hnear=Richmond,+Virginia&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=37.535204,-77.433543&panoid=XZuzDrB9__7-Y1Xt0sKLHg&cbp=12,288.57,,0,-1.75)
Mapmikey
Also, in Akron, as W. Tallmadge Ave turns into Memorial Pkwy., the part of Memorial Parkway descending into the valley used to be brick. According to Google Streetview, it has been paved over.
However, Uhler Ave. from Memorial Parkway to Cuyahoga Street is still shown as brick.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=41.103188,-81.526773&spn=0.012353,0.027874&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.103368,-81.526919&panoid=MeTZUjxBsFrlpuqpD3TCdA&cbp=12,25.5,,0,4.85
Please let me know if Streetview is wrong and this section is now paved over...
This is the road leading to San Sebastián, Jalisco, México. When my wife and I drove it back in 2006, they were laying the stones; most of it was still dirt (insteresting, since the trip was recommended by the guy renting us the car, yet our policy stated we could only drive on hard pavement). In a Chevrolet Chevy, let me tell you, it can be a bit bumpy!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm7.static.flickr.com%2F6108%2F6215583335_8febd55564.jpg&hash=87765f340dcb3d9dd9ea919015691a6f81c67fd0)
Quote from: agentsteel53 on January 31, 2012, 11:40:11 AM
the A4 autobahn in western Poland, coming out of Germany just north of Gorlitz, D and Zgorzelec, PL, has not been modified or maintained since 1943 (!) and has the original cobblestone offramps (!!)
I call it the Secret Nazi Autobahn. it's kinda terrifying, as the speed limit is 50 km/h. the completely mangled concrete of the mainline should also count as an odd road surface, for sure!
This requires copious amounts of photos, y'know.
Afterglow Way entering Montclair, NJ from Verona is paved in bricks, not very well maintained either. Same thing - because it's a very steep hill.
There are still cobblestone streets in New York, mostly down in the lower digit streets near WSH and near the Battery under/near FDR.
Want a way to discourage traffic on your street? Leave the original cobblestones - and the original trolley tracks! It's really difficult to drive P Street in Georgetown, DC: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=georgetown+dc&hl=en&ll=38.908731,-77.068374&spn=0.004249,0.009645&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.136115,79.013672&hnear=Georgetown,+Washington,+District+of+Columbia&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.908731,-77.068374&panoid=4_dOWQzFz4S1y4G_yfwWdA&cbp=12,272.11,,0,18.82
Looking North up Thames Street in Newport, RI - cobblestone, bumpy ride.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=newport+ri&hl=en&ll=41.489616,-71.315214&spn=0.000836,0.001742&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=56.856075,114.169922&hnear=Newport,+Rhode+Island&t=h&layer=c&cbll=41.489616,-71.315214&panoid=IJDMtVSWZ3xDVQe1R5U5ew&cbp=12,350.74,,0,18.15&z=20
Quote from: Steve on January 31, 2012, 08:27:49 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on January 31, 2012, 11:40:11 AM
the A4 autobahn in western Poland, coming out of Germany just north of Gorlitz, D and Zgorzelec, PL, has not been modified or maintained since 1943 (!) and has the original cobblestone offramps (!!)
I call it the Secret Nazi Autobahn. it's kinda terrifying, as the speed limit is 50 km/h. the completely mangled concrete of the mainline should also count as an odd road surface, for sure!
This requires copious amounts of photos, y'know.
and I've got them... will need to upload in a blog post for sure
There are many stretches of bypassed 'old roads' scattered throughout Wisconsin with the original pre-WWII concrete still in use. There is also a section of a side street in the downtown Appleton, WI area where bits of century-old concrete are peeking out of the asphalt that is overlaid on top of it - it has a cross-hatched 'tined' texture (about 50 mm or so between the tine tines) on its surface that was used to give horses better traction.
Mike
Same in Illinois. There is a short old Brick surface near the Monmouth bypass
A few yuppie suburbs in the Orlando area - Winter Park is the first one I can think of - have been installing red pavers for traffic calming and aesthetic purposes. They're very unpopular with the local cycling communities, but they do look nice.
As for other unusual road surfaces, I've always hated the open grates they use on some bridges like the Macinac Bridge, the Chicago drawbridges, or that bridge east of downtown in Jax. They're too slippery IMO.
Quote from: realjd on January 31, 2012, 10:10:31 PM
A few yuppie suburbs in the Orlando area - Winter Park is the first one I can think of - have been installing red pavers for traffic calming and aesthetic purposes. They're very unpopular with the local cycling communities, but they do look nice.
As for other unusual road surfaces, I've always hated the open grates they use on some bridges like the Macinac Bridge, the Chicago drawbridges, or that bridge east of downtown in Jax. They're too slippery IMO.
Well, if not for the open grates, there would be no Mackinac Bridge (used for substantially reducing wind loads on the span and reducing its weight) and drawbridges would be far more expensive and troublesome (substantially reduced weight and thus wear and tear on the moving parts).
Mike
I found a few in Masaryktown, Florida that are "paved" with grass several years back.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on January 31, 2012, 11:40:11 AMthe A4 autobahn in western Poland, coming out of Germany just north of Görlitz, D and Zgorzelec, PL, has not been modified or maintained since 1943 (!) and has the original cobblestone offramps (!!)
About 3% of mainline
Autobahn mileage built before World War II had stone sett paving--this was the result, Albert Speer later claimed in his memoirs, of a failed effort to have the SS manufacture building stone in its camps (which functioned as prison factories before the advent of the Final Solution), which resulted in a large amount of surplus stone which needed to be got rid of somehow. Frequently the stone setts (
Kleinpflaster) were laid in a fan shape.
Oh, I've forgotten the sand roads of the NJ Pine Barrens. 4x4 only, please.
oshkosh wi has two seperate one block streets downdown market st. and commerce st. that are red pavers
Quite a few examples of wood plank streets in Ketchikan, AK:
http://g.co/maps/yypqv - that staircase on the right is also a public "street"
http://g.co/maps/92kbd - in this case, the surface is something a little more durable, but the substructure is wood
And a very long example up in Juneau:
http://g.co/maps/spjdj
Here's a place I once went in France:
http://g.co/maps/kwe8z - that lane going off to the right as I recall was surfaced just in grass/packed earth; zoom in on the building to see that there's an official street name sign
Orlando, FL has been ripping up the asphalt and putting back bricks on some streets. This is to slow down speeders as one other said just leave it alone with the trolley tracks earlier in this thread. Curry Ford Road has been redone near its western end as one of many streets.
Incidentally, Orange County, FL has just paved many roads and streets from dirt. In Holden Heights all streets other than Orange Blossom Trail, Rio Grande Avenue, Michigan and Kaley Streets and Westmoreland Drive were dirt up until the last few years.
I do not know if it still is, but Ford, KS had all of its streets not paved except for the one that is state maintained (US 400). It was like it was back in the old west, and most likely still is being no development in that part of the state recently.
The road to Carova in northeastern Currituck County, NC is across a beach.
Quote from: Takumi on March 10, 2012, 08:57:04 PM
The road to Carova in northeastern Currituck County, NC is across a beach.
Though unless I'm mistaken it's not that there's a defined road so much as that the community is isolated enough it's only accessible by going off-road. There is not a signed road to it, and most of the Outer Banks seashore is open to off-road vehicle use, so I for one wouldn't really consider it a road with an odd surface, so much as a lack of a road period.
Now I may be mistaken, as I've never driven onto the beach, but I have been up to the north end of NC 12 (which was a few years back so the route might be signed by now). And regardless it is an interesting case.
There are stretches along US 220 north of I-64 in Virginia where the pavement is green. Yes, green.
The city of Philadelphia still has a few cobblestone (http://g.co/maps/8u7rr) streets.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 10, 2012, 10:00:06 PM
There are stretches along US 220 north of I-64 in Virginia where the pavement is green. Yes, green.
there are many places in central wisconsin, were the asphalt is red because of the unique red granite in central wisconsin...
In the UP of Michigan and northern Wisconsin, the rock used in the asphalt has a lot of iron in it, so the road surface turns red over time.
You know what is interesting is the grade of asphalt in Florida. The Panhandle has more red in it and the pennisula has white asphalt that starts out black when fresh.
Sometimes they lay down poor asphalt that remains black, but creates a odd feeling and an interesting tire sound when driving on it. Areas that have it are like on John Young Parkway from Sand Lake Road to Whisper Lakes Boulevard. It was a resurfacing done cheap as the original asphalt was not removed, but a new thin layer was applied on top.
The Yukon River Bridge on Alaska's Dalton Highway is paved with planks:
http://g.co/maps/5vbhj
Quote from: roadman65 on March 11, 2012, 06:50:41 PM
You know what is interesting is the grade of asphalt in Florida. The Panhandle has more red in it and the pennisula has white asphalt that starts out black when fresh.
This reminds me of the red pavement seen along parts of Highway 58 between Bakersfield and Barstow, mostly in the desert. What is this red pavement anyway?
Asphalt! :palmsmack:
There are brick roads in the terre haute, indiana area.
Quote from: kphoger on May 15, 2012, 08:19:34 PM
Asphalt! :palmsmack:
For clarification, I meant to ask why and how the pavement is a reddish color.
Quote from: sr641 on May 15, 2012, 08:20:34 PM
There are brick roads in the terre haute, indiana area.
Also in Rolla, MO and Merkel, TX .
What I'd like to know (and maybe route56 can help) is if Kansas has any yellow brick roads :bigass:
Quote from: US71 on May 15, 2012, 08:32:52 PM
Quote from: sr641 on May 15, 2012, 08:20:34 PM
There are brick roads in the terre haute, indiana area.
Also in Rolla, MO and Merkel, TX .
What I'd like to know (and maybe route56 can help) is if Kansas has any yellow brick roads :bigass:
Sedan, Kansas has a yellow brick road.
Quote from: US71 on May 15, 2012, 08:32:52 PM
What I'd like to know (and maybe route56 can help) is if Kansas has any yellow brick roads :bigass:
Them's fightin' words.
Ar-kan-sas.
Quote from: sr641 on May 15, 2012, 08:34:55 PM
Sedan, Kansas has a yellow brick road.
So......................I googled it.................and am severely disappointed.
It's a brick sidewalk --- no, it's a sidewalk with bricks
in it, and the bricks are flanked by yellow road striping.
MASSIVE FAIL, Sedan, massive fail.
How about a brick surface on a La. 6? http://g.co/maps/6utd7
Quote from: CentralCAroadgeek on May 15, 2012, 08:26:15 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 15, 2012, 08:19:34 PM
Asphalt! :palmsmack:
For clarification, I meant to ask why and how the pavement is a reddish color.
Type of rocks used.
Well the "still in existence" part doesn't really fit as the following road was rebuilt this way as part of a revitalization of the area. Interesting mix of brick and granite tho.
Pratt Street, Hartford CT, Brick road surface w/ inlaid granite wavy "path" line going the length of the street. (1 way street between Trumbull and Main w/ parking on right side only.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Pratt+Street,+Hartford,+CT&hl=en&ll=41.767919,-72.675505&spn=0.009202,0.018947&sll=31.760183,-93.086187&sspn=0.00275,0.004737&oq=pratt+street&t=h&hnear=Pratt+St,+Hartford,+Connecticut+06103&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.767812,-72.675495&panoid=6XLfz8C9M5P6GnN3mhlMtQ&cbp=12,110.22,,0,1.02
Quote from: Steve on May 15, 2012, 08:54:28 PM
Quote from: CentralCAroadgeek on May 15, 2012, 08:26:15 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 15, 2012, 08:19:34 PM
Asphalt! :palmsmack:
For clarification, I meant to ask why and how the pavement is a reddish color.
Type of rocks used.
Some of the roads from the part of Pennsylvania where I grew up had a reddish hue as red sandstone was used in the pavement.
Quote from: thenetwork on January 31, 2012, 02:33:19 AM
This one just popped into my mind on the way home from work.
Do you have any roads in your area with unusual or rare surfaces? It may sound like a strange question, but in Cleveland, OH (near University Circle) there is a one block stretch of road that is made of wood!!! Wood Blocks, that is, and it is the last remaining wooden street in Cleveland (or Northeast Ohio, AFAIK).
Google Map View: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21)
Article on Hessler Court: http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=HRAHCHD
And in nearby Akron, Ohio, there is a street in which there is a combination of regular red brick pavers and raised granite stones on Bates Street, in the shadows of Downtown Akron, affectionately known as Bates Hill or Cadillac Hill. The "washboard effect" was used for traction on this super-steep hill. One of the most bone-jarring hills you'll ever traverse!
Google Map View: http://g.co/maps/f7ktg
Info on Cadillac (Bates) Hill here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376451397046.163941.93203972046&l=eab2994f72
Any other unusual street surfaces?
Montgomery County, Maryland has an extensive "rustic roads" program codified into county ordinance.
The county's planners write periodic reports on these roads, some of which have interesting appearances, especially the few remaining "politicians" roads, which are strips of concrete wide enough for one motor vehicle. Many of them have had asphalt added to widen them, but some have not. I suppose the concrete surface is pretty conventional, but these surfaces are
old. They were called "politicians" roads because (supposedly) these were paved because there was one or more politicians living along them. Reports below are .pdf files (and contain some interesting images) but are not especially large:
http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/plan_areas/rural_area/documents/RRACstatusreportdraft082508A.pdf (http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/plan_areas/rural_area/documents/RRACstatusreportdraft082508A.pdf)
http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/plan_areas/rural_area/documents/RRACbiennialreport2010.pdf (http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/plan_areas/rural_area/documents/RRACbiennialreport2010.pdf)
Street pavement part of Former Runway
At the intersection of SH 183 westbound frontage rd and Amon Carter Blvd near the south end of Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport, a portion af a former runway is now driven on as part of the road.
This runway was part of the now-demolished Greater-Southwest international Airport Airport.
Street View:http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.838525,-97.04902&spn=0.000005,0.003133&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=32.838525,-97.04902&panoid=PlN1yiamqanLC2WyGb0NJQ&cbp=12,342.69,,0,0 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.838525,-97.04902&spn=0.000005,0.003133&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=32.838525,-97.04902&panoid=PlN1yiamqanLC2WyGb0NJQ&cbp=12,342.69,,0,0)
Aerial Photo:http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.83942,-97.047472&spn=0.006031,0.012531&t=h&z=17 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.83942,-97.047472&spn=0.006031,0.012531&t=h&z=17)
info on former airport: http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/TX/Airfields_TX_FtWorth_NE.htm (http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/TX/Airfields_TX_FtWorth_NE.htm)
Quote from: kphoger on May 15, 2012, 08:37:31 PM
Quote from: sr641 on May 15, 2012, 08:34:55 PM
Sedan, Kansas has a yellow brick road.
So......................I googled it.................and am severely disappointed.
It's a brick sidewalk --- no, it's a sidewalk with bricks in it, and the bricks are flanked by yellow road striping.
MASSIVE FAIL, Sedan, massive fail.
U.S. 54 in Kansas was once designated "The Yellow Brick Road" although there were only four signs the entire way that said so, including one at each state line.
Obviously, "The Yellow Brick Road" wasn't. And in some other places it already had a name, which pissed off the people who had worked to get that name on those stretches of road. The YBR signs disappeared in the mid-oughts.
The Yellow Brick Road isn't in Kansas, it's in Oz. From Kansas, you need to travel by tornado in order to get there.
Ary Court in Grand Rapids, just off of BL I-196: http://g.co/maps/3jje3
Still brick as of October 2011, although the very old "HILL" sign has been replaced with a new sign with the standard hill symbol
So this is a massive bump. But I'd rather bump than create a duplicate thread! Found it trying to get some info on existing wood surfaces along public streets.
In Tacoma, WA, in the southern industrial sections of downtown, there is a railway crossing that is made of wood: https://goo.gl/maps/cE8wYkw48MmRHJub8
(Up until 2015, the entire crossing was wood).
In both Seattle and Tacoma, there are a ton of original cobblestone and brick streets. The brick streets are relatively easy to maneuver, but the streets with the stone pavers are insanely rough to drive down. Some are so bad, that if you hit them at-speed, you'd probably get a flat tire or something worse.
Examples:
Red brick alley in Tacoma (https://goo.gl/maps/nGyD28k2rAqbyXr87)
Red brick street in Tacoma (https://goo.gl/maps/TKV5iMGNeczwJYp4A)
Grey-brick street in Tacoma (https://goo.gl/maps/FordpGnj8stzTiad9)
Stone-paved street in Tacoma (https://goo.gl/maps/HdrVde3xotUrsEQe7)
Stone-paved street in Seattle (https://goo.gl/maps/nEB1pHNpoYuEh6AYA)
Red brick and stone-paving(?) at one intersection in Seattle (https://goo.gl/maps/8hN8aP2mCHNraeaL6)
Stone-paved street(s) in Seattle (https://goo.gl/maps/n7UVAW6V8cVFxp4h7)
Probably the most impressive is "Red Brick Road" in Redmond (https://goo.gl/maps/WsiLCvWT4JTS6N5C9), which is a very lengthy stretch of original brick paving not in an urban area. It even has its own plaque (https://goo.gl/maps/1js8KeAkV2nT2mgm6)!
Two other short stretches of original red-brick paving would be in Bothell (https://goo.gl/maps/f35uvhQ7YN9G9M1h8)(Red Brick Road) and Lynnwood (https://goo.gl/maps/hHTyHHaiMJk6bNV88) (N Trunk Road), both in a park, no longer accessible by car.
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2019, 11:23:20 PM
In Tacoma, WA, in the southern industrial sections of downtown, there is a railway crossing that is made of wood: https://goo.gl/maps/cE8wYkw48MmRHJub8
(Up until 2015, the entire crossing was wood).
Wood crossings are/used to be common in rural areas. Here's one I knew of that I could find GSV for (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6160631,-93.2024499,3a,39.1y,267.12h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQAuG9OJdf9NhT-50Pl280Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Recent aerial imagery in Google Earth appears to show that this crossing was replaced with concrete, though.
The only four miles of dirt State Highway in California are on CA 173 between Post Miles 7.5-11.5. Even worse, those same four miles of roadway are closed due to erosion.
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on May 26, 2019, 11:42:22 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2019, 11:23:20 PM
In Tacoma, WA, in the southern industrial sections of downtown, there is a railway crossing that is made of wood: https://goo.gl/maps/cE8wYkw48MmRHJub8
(Up until 2015, the entire crossing was wood).
Wood crossings are/used to be common in rural areas. Here's one I knew of that I could find GSV for (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6160631,-93.2024499,3a,39.1y,267.12h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQAuG9OJdf9NhT-50Pl280Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Recent aerial imagery in Google Earth appears to show that this crossing was replaced with concrete, though.
Ahh okay, nice! I don't know of any others around here, which is why it caught my eye. Worst part is that, going up the hill on the approach, its impossible to see the wood crossing, so you can hit going pretty fast if you're not careful. Makes for a bumpy ride! They could easily remove the tracks if they wanted. That stretch of what's called the "Prairie Line" has been abandoned since 2003.
It's supposed to be paved over with asphalt, but it deteriorated and for a while you could see wooden blocks on this street in Vancouver: https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2813701,-123.0954119,3a,44.3y,15.2h,81.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shiojblPrPNuOG6fVkDayFw!2e0!5s20180701T000000!7i16384!8i8192
News article about it: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wood-block-paving-vancouver-heat-damage-1.4784886
Quote from: jakeroot on May 27, 2019, 12:03:25 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on May 26, 2019, 11:42:22 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2019, 11:23:20 PM
In Tacoma, WA, in the southern industrial sections of downtown, there is a railway crossing that is made of wood: https://goo.gl/maps/cE8wYkw48MmRHJub8
(Up until 2015, the entire crossing was wood).
Wood crossings are/used to be common in rural areas. Here's one I knew of that I could find GSV for (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6160631,-93.2024499,3a,39.1y,267.12h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQAuG9OJdf9NhT-50Pl280Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Recent aerial imagery in Google Earth appears to show that this crossing was replaced with concrete, though.
Ahh okay, nice! I don't know of any others around here, which is why it caught my eye.
See, I wouldn't have thought of a wood crossing as "odd", but I guess that's just because I've seen quite a few of them in the inland west--hell, I rode a bicycle across one in Colorado once! As MNHighwayMan pointed out, most of them are in rural areas, but here's one left in Salt Lake City (https://goo.gl/maps/w8gKHjvYT6qga9qW7).
On the other hand, here's a crossing just to the west with some sort of black surface (https://goo.gl/maps/bWoi4VgbZcMg7axr5), which I've never seen before. Looks like rubber to me.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 26, 2019, 11:45:41 PM
The only four miles of dirt State Highway in California are on CA 173 between Post Miles 7.5-11.5. Even worse, those same four miles of roadway are closed due to erosion.
Is that still barricaded, and closed to vehicle traffic except emergency vehicles? For that matter, is it still officially part of the state highway system?
Quote from: oscar on May 27, 2019, 11:00:53 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 26, 2019, 11:45:41 PM
The only four miles of dirt State Highway in California are on CA 173 between Post Miles 7.5-11.5. Even worse, those same four miles of roadway are closed due to erosion.
Is that still barricaded, and closed to vehicle traffic except emergency vehicles? For that matter, is it still officially part of the state highway system?
Very much barricaded, still counted as State Highway mileage.
In Downtown Reading, MA, there is a one-way side street with angle parking that was recently resurfaced with pavers. As the entrance to the street is from Route 129, and the exit from the street is to Route 28, pavers were used to discourage traffic from using the street as a cut through.
Quote from: US 89 on May 27, 2019, 10:55:07 PM
On the other hand, here's a crossing just to the west with some sort of black surface (https://goo.gl/maps/bWoi4VgbZcMg7axr5), which I've never seen before. Looks like rubber to me.
Very funny, since I see that style of crossing far more than I see wooden crossings. It's possible that Tacoma's heavily-rail-based economy has resulted in virtually all wooden crossings being replaced over the years, often with that rubberised material in your link. Not sure the technical term for it.
Quote from: jakeroot on May 28, 2019, 12:08:32 PM
Quote from: US 89 on May 27, 2019, 10:55:07 PM
On the other hand, here's a crossing just to the west with some sort of black surface (https://goo.gl/maps/bWoi4VgbZcMg7axr5), which I've never seen before. Looks like rubber to me.
Very funny, since I see that style of crossing far more than I see wooden crossings. It's possible that Tacoma's heavily-rail-based economy has resulted in virtually all wooden crossings being replaced over the years, often with that rubberised material in your link. Not sure the technical term for it.
In Massachusetts you see this on any commuter rail or heavily used freight line. Lighter used rail lines on quieter roads still have some wood crossings.
I visited a road Sunday that is 4399 yards asphalt and 1 yard bricks.
Quote from: jakeroot on May 28, 2019, 12:08:32 PM
Quote from: US 89 on May 27, 2019, 10:55:07 PM
On the other hand, here's a crossing just to the west with some sort of black surface (https://goo.gl/maps/bWoi4VgbZcMg7axr5), which I've never seen before. Looks like rubber to me.
Very funny, since I see that style of crossing far more than I see wooden crossings. It's possible that Tacoma's heavily-rail-based economy has resulted in virtually all wooden crossings being replaced over the years, often with that rubberised material in your link. Not sure the technical term for it.
In the NY area the trend has been towards concrete surfacing for grade crossings. It has a longer service life and pavement markings can be applied to it. This is especially beneficial for wide & skewed crossings so edgelines can continue over the crossing and crossings with frequent spillback problems so don't block the box markings can be applied.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 10, 2012, 10:00:06 PM
There are stretches along US 220 north of I-64 in Virginia where the pavement is green. Yes, green.
There used to be a stretch of I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville that had green pavement. Wonder what makes the pavement green? Aging? Or did it come out green?
Quote from: US 89 on May 27, 2019, 10:55:07 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 27, 2019, 12:03:25 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on May 26, 2019, 11:42:22 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2019, 11:23:20 PM
In Tacoma, WA, in the southern industrial sections of downtown, there is a railway crossing that is made of wood: https://goo.gl/maps/cE8wYkw48MmRHJub8
(Up until 2015, the entire crossing was wood).
Wood crossings are/used to be common in rural areas. Here's one I knew of that I could find GSV for (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6160631,-93.2024499,3a,39.1y,267.12h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQAuG9OJdf9NhT-50Pl280Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Recent aerial imagery in Google Earth appears to show that this crossing was replaced with concrete, though.
Ahh okay, nice! I don't know of any others around here, which is why it caught my eye.
See, I wouldn't have thought of a wood crossing as "odd", but I guess that's just because I've seen quite a few of them in the inland west--hell, I rode a bicycle across one in Colorado once! As MNHighwayMan pointed out, most of them are in rural areas, but here's one left in Salt Lake City (https://goo.gl/maps/w8gKHjvYT6qga9qW7).
On the other hand, here's a crossing just to the west with some sort of black surface (https://goo.gl/maps/bWoi4VgbZcMg7axr5), which I've never seen before. Looks like rubber to me.
Wooden railroad crossings aren't uncommon at all. I decided to find one here in Wichita, and
the second spot I clicked on (https://goo.gl/maps/z95DPUPiBaG9waH29) has a wooden crossing. Or how about
multiple wooden crossings at a freight yard (https://goo.gl/maps/Wc3xxw2zPB9ngCoG8) right along Broadway? Here's
another one (https://goo.gl/maps/rQpaJ1h9SKBRgkAT6) on a street leading to the Blue Lake Addition. Or go a few towns to the north to
this one in the middle of Sedgwick (https://goo.gl/maps/q4zc55GVzAAcNe7w8).
Lombard Street in San Francisco the section tourists go to is paved with bricks.
I wonder if there's any roads with a poo surface.
SR 20 (WA), as part of the North Cascades Highway, has red asphalt, due to the use of local materials in the construction of the road surface.
2nd Street, in my hometown of Langley, WA uses 3 different surfaces along a single city block. Asphalt at the intersections on either end, concrete surface (with a brick stamped pattern at crosswalks), followed by brick pavers in the center section. I only mention it because I was on the committee that helped design the roadway.
Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI is brick. When I first arrived in Flint in 2001, it was an asphalt road, with brick underneath, as seen through the potholes. By 2005, then mayor Don Williams, had the asphalt removed on Saginaw street, and the brick has remained exposed ever since. Much of the city actually has brick under the asphalt, but Saginaw street has been the only one, to my knowledge, where the asphalt was removed.
Speaking of Bricks there are several alignments of the Dixie Highway in Florida that still exist in brick form. Most notable is County Route on Old Dixie Highway north of Espanola but there is another near Disney World on Old Tampa Highway. Even downtown Orlando has numerous city streets (granted these are far more recent) lines in brick.
The red asphalt cited above is very common in the Mojave Desert in California. Kelbaker Road comes to mind given it has a unique shade almost maroon-like red.
In downtown St. Louis, there is a small neighborhood called Laclede's Landing where many of the side streets are cobblestone. Even going 10 MPH down those streets, it's very noticeable with all of the uneven bumpiness. Once you get out of that neighborhood, ANY street is gonna feel like a newly paved road for a while.
Quote from: thenetwork on June 02, 2019, 10:28:35 AM
In downtown St. Louis, there is a small neighborhood called Laclede's Landing where many of the side streets are cobblestone. Even going 10 MPH down those streets, it's very noticeable with all of the uneven bumpiness. Once you get out of that neighborhood, ANY street is gonna feel like a newly paved road for a while.
The Landing was created to cater to tourists and late night crowds as an urban renewal project. It had its own special tax district and building constraints to keep it looking old-timey. Its heyday was the early 90's. The 1993 Mississippi flood destroyed the best nightlife businesses like Mississippi Nights. (The most popular nightlife is now split between Washington Avenue, the U City Loop, and the Grove, though the Loop was already more popular in the 80's.) It's now a casino and a few businesses. Most of it is parking lots. STL really should pave the few remaining cobblestone streets south of the Eads Bridge. The charm of the cobblestones is long gone and discourages visitors.
In Flint, Michigan, Saginaw Street downtown is still paved with bricks.
Quote from: Flint1979 on June 02, 2019, 04:23:47 PM
In Flint, Michigan, Saginaw Street downtown is still paved with bricks.
Still–you mean, they haven't changed it since yesterday? :-D
Quote from: TEG24601 on June 01, 2019, 02:08:43 PM
Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI is brick.
Quote from: empirestate on June 02, 2019, 04:41:03 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on June 02, 2019, 04:23:47 PM
In Flint, Michigan, Saginaw Street downtown is still paved with bricks.
Still–you mean, they haven't changed it since yesterday? :-D
Quote from: TEG24601 on June 01, 2019, 02:08:43 PM
Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI is brick.
It's been that way for over 100 years. And I hadn't seen that mentioned either.
Surprised I never brought this up during the original run of this thread, since this is a pet peeve of mine, but...
Quote from: Ian on March 10, 2012, 10:50:39 PM
The city of Philadelphia still has a few cobblestone (http://g.co/maps/8u7rr) streets.
That's not cobblestone, that's Belgian block.
Quote from: wytout on January 31, 2012, 08:57:16 PM
Looking North up Thames Street in Newport, RI - cobblestone, bumpy ride.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=newport+ri&hl=en&ll=41.489616,-71.315214&spn=0.000836,0.001742&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=56.856075,114.169922&hnear=Newport,+Rhode+Island&t=h&layer=c&cbll=41.489616,-71.315214&panoid=IJDMtVSWZ3xDVQe1R5U5ew&cbp=12,350.74,,0,18.15&z=20
Also Belgian block
Quote from: Alps on January 31, 2012, 08:34:10 PM
Afterglow Way entering Montclair, NJ from Verona is paved in bricks, not very well maintained either. Same thing - because it's a very steep hill.
There are still cobblestone streets in New York, mostly down in the lower digit streets near WSH and near the Battery under/near FDR.
Want a way to discourage traffic on your street? Leave the original cobblestones - and the original trolley tracks! It's really difficult to drive P Street in Georgetown, DC: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=georgetown+dc&hl=en&ll=38.908731,-77.068374&spn=0.004249,0.009645&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.136115,79.013672&hnear=Georgetown,+Washington,+District+of+Columbia&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.908731,-77.068374&panoid=4_dOWQzFz4S1y4G_yfwWdA&cbp=12,272.11,,0,18.82
Nope, that's Beligian block too in that GMSV link. As are all the streets in New York you mention.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 31, 2012, 09:21:28 AM
Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria has one block paved with brick and then the next block after that is cobblestone. When we were kids we'd demand that my mom drive down the cobblestone street whenever we were there. Now I avoid that block. I rather doubt that stretch of cobblestones dates back to George Washington's time, but who knows. Some of the buildings date back to that period.
Street View of cobblestones (it's bumpier than it looks): http://g.co/maps/wy5z5
Congratulations! That is actually cobblestone and has been correctly identified as such.
The key here is that the term "cobblestone" correctly refers to the use of "cobbles" - or plain old rocks that are naturally smooth/rounded - to form a road surface. Surviving examples of this are extremely rare, at least in the US.
If you're looking at pieces of stone deliberately cut into roughly rectangular shapes, those are Belgian blocks. These are often incorrectly referred to as "cobblestone". Perhaps because most people have probably never seen a street paved with actual cobblestone but Beligian block, while still unusual, is comparatively less rare.
Quote from: Duke87 on June 02, 2019, 06:00:23 PM
Surprised I never brought this up during the original run of this thread, since this is a pet peeve of mine, but...
Technically correct is best correct.
Also, I didn't know that either. Good to know. :thumbsup:
How about sett? Isn't that the de-facto term for this type of stone-laden street?
I'll admit that I didn't know the difference. Thanks for the tip.
Quote from: thenetwork on January 31, 2012, 02:33:19 AM
This one just popped into my mind on the way home from work.
Do you have any roads in your area with unusual or rare surfaces? It may sound like a strange question, but in Cleveland, OH (near University Circle) there is a one block stretch of road that is made of wood!!! Wood Blocks, that is, and it is the last remaining wooden street in Cleveland (or Northeast Ohio, AFAIK).
Google Map View: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&hl=en&ll=41.510825,-81.605846&spn=0.000422,0.000817&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,107.138672&oq=university+circle&hq=University+Circle,+East+115th+Street,+Cleveland,+OH&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.510825,-81.605846&panoid=V606LwpKsnjXsGS3RqMpfw&cbp=12,303.52,,0,15.21)
Article on Hessler Court: http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=HRAHCHD
And in nearby Akron, Ohio, there is a street in which there is a combination of regular red brick pavers and raised granite stones on Bates Street, in the shadows of Downtown Akron, affectionately known as Bates Hill or Cadillac Hill. The "washboard effect" was used for traction on this super-steep hill. One of the most bone-jarring hills you'll ever traverse!
Google Map View: http://g.co/maps/f7ktg
Info on Cadillac (Bates) Hill here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376451397046.163941.93203972046&l=eab2994f72
Any other unusual street surfaces?
Pittsburgh also has a street (Roslyn Pl.) made out of wood blocks (https://pittsburgh.verylocal.com/roslyn-place-a-street-paved-in-wood/5447/) (the article lists a few other places as well).
Quote from: Flint1979 on June 02, 2019, 05:53:13 PM
Quote from: empirestate on June 02, 2019, 04:41:03 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on June 02, 2019, 04:23:47 PM
In Flint, Michigan, Saginaw Street downtown is still paved with bricks.
Still–you mean, they haven't changed it since yesterday? :-D
Quote from: TEG24601 on June 01, 2019, 02:08:43 PM
Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI is brick.
It's been that way for over 100 years. And I hadn't seen that mentioned either.
That's the joke. ;-)
Quote from: bandit957 on June 01, 2019, 12:16:07 PM
I wonder if there's any roads with a poo surface.
:spin:
WIS 11 in Elkhorn has a brick section near downtown.
Superior St in Duluth still has brick parking spaces and I believe still brick travel lanes east of Lake Avenue, but will all be replaced with conventional surface in its impending rebuild.
I don't think of brick streets as being very uncommon.
QuoteAnd in nearby Akron, Ohio, there is a street in which there is a combination of regular red brick pavers and raised granite stones on Bates Street, in the shadows of Downtown Akron, affectionately known as Bates Hill or Cadillac Hill. The "washboard effect" was used for traction on this super-steep hill. One of the most bone-jarring hills you'll ever traverse!
Google Map View: http://g.co/maps/f7ktg
Info on Cadillac (Bates) Hill here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376451397046.163941.93203972046&l=eab2994f72
Sadly, over the past few years, the City of Akron closed Bates Hill due to a sewer(?) project at the bottom of the hill, but never reopened the hill after the project was finished. Some of the more recent photos of the hill have the street being reclaimed by tall weeds.
Depending on who you ask in Akron nowadays, Bates Hill STILL might be in better condition than many of the major thoroughfares in the Rubber City.
Franklin Street in Saginaw, MI between Hayden and Hoyt is brick but some of it has been paved over and some of the bricks are still exposed. I rode on it yesterday and it's a very bumpy ride. Baum Street, the next street east of Franklin is the same way.
In Richmond, VA, Monument Avenue between VA 161 and Stuart Circle/Lombardy Street is paved with bricks, and there are several streets here and there that are still paved with cobblestones, including Cary Street between 12th and 14th Streets.
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on June 05, 2019, 09:08:56 AM
In Richmond, VA, Monument Avenue between VA 161 and Stuart Circle/Lombardy Street is paved with bricks, and there are several streets here and there that are still paved with cobblestones, including Cary Street between 12th and 14th Streets.
Monument Avenue has asphalt bricks laid on a concrete base.
Not the type bricks used for building wall facades (rectangular units made of clay-bearing soil, sand, and lime, or concrete materials).
Quote from: bandit957 on June 01, 2019, 12:16:07 PM
I wonder if there's any roads with a poo surface.
I wouldn't like to drive such a road, as it would stink too much.
I wonder if there are any roads with a gold surface, given the cost of building some of them. And to top that, I wonder if there are any ʻaʻā (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava#%CA%BBA%CA%BB%C4%81) roads, besides that parody thread NE2 created a few years ago.
MassHighway, back in the day, used to use cobblestone gore areas. Now they use concrete or pavement.
There is a section of US 6 in Westport, MA that appears to be untouched original concrete from when it was four-laned.
I had originally posted about this in another purpose-made thread, but it would appear that this road might be in a class of its own.
This particular stretch of North Carr Street (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.2694275,-122.4667699,262m/data=!3m1!1e3) in Tacoma is not a case of "still in existence", but is actually a case of "new-old" surface. It was paved with setts in the late 90s as part of an apparently one-off project along this steep stretch of Carr. No other urban design elements were included with the project. They literally just repaved the street and that was it. Very unusual compared to other repaving projects that I've seen (especially those that include bricks or setts).
(https://i.imgur.com/LMkGJ7M.jpg)
Wish I had pictures. There was a country store near me that had an "oil dirt" (asphalt) parking lot that was virtually covered with soda caps placed face up (sharp side down). It was probably a quarter acre of them.
After pull top bottles quit being the norm, he had it repaved and they are gone forever.