I-295 (Clearview Expressway) runs north-south, I-495 (Long Island Expressway) east-west.
These two expressways show the signs of 1950s era engineering and siting. Here they both pass through and serve a typically densely developed Queens neighborhood, literally a 'sea' of small single family houses packed into small lots. I-295 (originally to be I-78) was built between 204th and 205th streets and *through* Cunningham Park while I-495 was built on one side of 61st(?) Av, with the interchange taking up the north end of the park. The interchange itself is a VERY tight tangle of ramps, heavily congested and extremely sharp and abrupt. Also, one-way frontage streets line both sides of both expressways where they pass through the neighborhoods, with the eastbound frontage street threading neatly through the interchange. I have not yet determined the reason for the 'Kissena Corridor', running to the northwest.
This interchange is in dire need of upgrades, but these may be long in coming as there is little public sentiment to expand upon and improving the highways in the area.
The history of metro New York City highways is a truly fascinating one and a wealth of information on it is available on Steve Anderson's subperb website, www.nycroads.com. I highly recommend a visit to the site.
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This page © Michael G. Koerner |
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