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Do you know why Robert Moses designed this beautiful Southern Boulevard? The background of its construction is beyond your imagination!
The Southern State Parkway is a controlled access road on Long Island, New York, USA. It is 25.53 miles (about 41.09 kilometers) long and runs from the Belt Parkway in North Valley Creek and the Cross Island Road ( Cross Island Parkway and extends eastward to Sagtikos State Parkway in West Islip. Construction of Southern Boulevard began in 1925, led by famed road designer Robert Moses, and the first section opened in 1927. This highway was not only a connecting channel between the city and the beach in the past, but also affected the transportation and environment of the entire Long Island area.
Construction Background
Southern Boulevard was constructed to improve access to Jones Beach.
In the early 20th century, as urbanization accelerated, more and more people began to move to Long Island, seeking a place to escape from urban life. Robert Moses recognized this need and his vision was to design the highway as a "linear park" that would provide people with access to nature while serving as a major transportation link between the city and the beach.
The first section of Southern Boulevard opened in 1927 and was originally designed to accommodate the relatively low traffic density and speed demands of the time. The arched bridges included in the highway design are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also prevent the intrusion of commercial traffic, ensuring a safe and quiet road.
Route overview of the highway
Southern Boulevard begins at the intersection of Chatan Creek, a busy transportation hub connected to several major highways. As the road travels east, it passes through several towns, forming an easy passage. Specifically, the main areas through which this highway passes include:
Passing through the hustle and bustle of Long Island, Southern Boulevard eventually connects to the Sagi Kos State Highway and extends eastward into Hecksher State Park.
The evolution of Southern Avenue
Southern Boulevard underwent several expansions during the housing boom of the late 1970s. The original four-lane design was widened in the 1950s to eight lanes to accommodate growing traffic. This move has greatly improved traffic efficiency and made commuting faster and more convenient.
In addition to providing comfortable travel conditions for residents, this section of road has also become an important channel connecting major parks. It is not only a part of daily life for local residents, but also an important way for tourists and nature lovers to access the surrounding beauty.
The design concept of Southern Avenue still maintains the original style of that year, and the winding route design blends perfectly with the surrounding natural environment. In addition, the construction of this highway also deeply influenced the development of the community and laid the foundation for Long Island's urban planning and development.
Culture and Influence
Robert Moses' design not only changed the traffic pattern of Long Island, but also influenced the highway design philosophy of the entire United States. The concept of Southern Boulevard as a "linear park" has led other cities to pay attention to environmental integration when designing transportation systems.
Even today, Southern Boulevard remains an important traffic artery, witnessing the development and changes of Long Island.
However, with the increase in traffic volume and the impact of urban expansion, Southern Boulevard faces new challenges. How to improve traffic capacity while maintaining its aesthetic design has become an important issue that current transportation planners need to face.
After becoming a must-go route for people to commute and travel, Southern Boulevard has gradually become a part of local culture, and many Long Island residents have deep feelings for this road. Whether you are a student with schoolbags or a traveler relaxing, Southern Boulevard connects everyone's stories and memories.
In designing this project, Robert Moses' vision was not only a pursuit of beauty, but also a solemn commitment to quality of life. As he said: "This road is not just for transportation, it is a lifeline connecting the city and nature." Today, this lifeline still carries the realization of the dream of that year.
So, how do you think this road can adapt to the needs of modern society in the future and maintain its unique charm?
