AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Northeast => Topic started by: M3019C LPS20 on April 05, 2013, 07:50:45 PM

Title: Gowanus Expressway/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway History
Post by: M3019C LPS20 on April 05, 2013, 07:50:45 PM
I have a set of vintage photographs that show I-278 in Brooklyn, New York. They are from 1941, 1965, and 1966 respectively. It is interesting to look back in time and see how everything once was.

The original Gowanus viaduct under construction. 1941.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2FConstruction_zpscb18d215.jpg&hash=0d15bfe14cd81c6a4a2ba500e4ca511d59236d7b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2FindexCAVQV6L2_zps01ea025e.jpg&hash=940a4f2dcaa718c71043e78f06ecea2888092740)

At the split of the Belt (or Shore) Pkwy and Gowanus Expressway. On the Brooklyn side of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033338_004853_zps7b33dfc0.jpg&hash=fe7bdc8d3a676c9e869c20609dd94bd586fdd7eb)

Gowanus Expwy. at Ft. Hamilton Pkwy. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_000230_zps7bcd52a8.jpg&hash=69f2f4dccf423b598886f1356fa77f683dc083d9)

At the Third Avenue exit ramp. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_002139_zpse70f6783.jpg&hash=fcf8bc210402eaa8ff123245abf13488d938a1f2)

On the elevated portion of the Gowanus. At 34th Street. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_003979_zps02f438b6.jpg&hash=6f159cba61575f370dc22b99f32ac3bbf66f2cb4)

At the Prospect Expwy. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_004485_zps5989a719.jpg&hash=7d941fccea55b7f9082d9d5f8c170e5603ddb6fb)

On the Gowanus viaduct. 1965. Lower Manhattan is in the background. Neat signage and gantry here.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_005244_zps74f725dc.jpg&hash=68484e8cae3be3f4dc59e87ff38392b9f390d7d2)

Brooklyn-Queens Expwy. near Woodhull Street. 1966.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033340_000437_zps5c15a6f6.jpg&hash=48361e9187196c88234743873fbb0b20aa1bd3b4)

At the exit ramp for downtown Brooklyn and Fulton Street. Nice signage here.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033340_002162_zps94d3342c.jpg&hash=738eaacc4b26a360f0f04384c22f77431f21e585)
Title: Re: Gowanus Expressway/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway History
Post by: NE2 on April 05, 2013, 08:27:22 PM
http://archive.org/details/GiveYour1954 has a scene on the Gowanus (and sheep). Screenshot:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F9%2F9b%2FGowanus_1954.jpg&hash=03521d3fa73388d215dd971b86ee19b501efc4d7)

Got any before-and-after ground-level shots of the Third Avenue El being repurposed?
Title: Re: Gowanus Expressway/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway History
Post by: dgolub on April 06, 2013, 10:52:11 AM
Nice batch of photos!  It's interesting how the signs made reference to the Shore Parkway instead of the Belt Parkway back then.  Also, did they not have exit numbers yet back then?  It looks like none of the exit shown in the pictures are numbered.
Title: Re: Gowanus Expressway/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway History
Post by: Alps on April 08, 2013, 05:46:42 PM
Quote from: M3019C LPS20 on April 05, 2013, 07:50:45 PM
I have a set of vintage photographs that show I-278 in Brooklyn, New York. They are from 1941, 1965, and 1966 respectively. It is interesting to look back in time and see how everything once was.

Gowanus Expwy. at Ft. Hamilton Pkwy. 1965.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1013.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf258%2FSteven197981%2F65675033339_000230_zps7bcd52a8.jpg&hash=69f2f4dccf423b598886f1356fa77f683dc083d9)

Come on, everyone knows it's patently impossible to see a clear view of I-278 during daytime. Or nighttime. Any time.