New York Roads - Borden Ave.
Borden Avenue, Queens
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This is the first EB onramp to I-495 in Queens, which in fact leads away from the tunnel. I guess the tunnel trailblazer is here to prevent people from making a left, but really, who makes a left onto a freeway? Who is heading east to go west when there's a perfectly good tunnel entrance just across the highway? Okay, there is a turn to head around to 21st St., and then another U-turn at 50th Ave. to get to the tunnel, so everything here is perfect sensible and accurate. But really, a left turn?
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Unless you're in a hurry, don't take that onramp. Follow the alt rte. along Borden Ave. and you'll be treated to some delicately massive structural views of the underside of the Queens-Midtown Expressway, the official name of I-495 west of I-278. The LGS are truly encouraging you to check it out. Don't let them down.
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Got another minute? Check out this sliding bridge over Dutch Kills. It was built in 1908 and unlike all but 3 other American bridges, it doesn't lift in any way when opening. It just slides diagonally across the Kills to open up a narrow passageway. (There's another one in NYC, Carroll St. in Brooklyn, and then two in Boston.) These photos are on the shorter WB side; the bridge has a trapezoidal shape essential to its functionality.
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Some more viaduct views from where Review Ave. NB comes into Borden Ave.
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Just a hint of Interstate is deemed sufficient on Van Dam St. NB.
Up onto I-495
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