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Bruce Adams · 08-01-2012, 05:05 PM

The LONG ISLAND MOTOR PARKWAY, a forty-three mile long, limited access, paved road completed in 1908, paid for PERSONALLY by William K Vanderbilt and operating as a toll road, $1 for the forty + miles. It had sedimentary stones contained in the two lanes of TAR, with certain curves BANKED, and barriers placed where needed. This highway had SIXTY-FIVE BRIDGES, thus eliminating intersections. It extended westward in 1920 from mid-Queens to near Queens Blvd, so autos could easily access it from the Queensboro Bridge, completed in 1909. This parkway ended about fifty miles east of Manhattan at Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island, NY, where Vanderbilt constructed a restaurant/catering hall/ hotel as a terminus for hhis highway. Much of the Parkway is now Suffolk County Road 67, VANDERBILT HIGHWAY, while other portions are abandoned, leaving bridges in backyards and in parking lots and such.

The Motor Parkway is considered the FIRST, LIMITED ACCESS highway built for autos.

Most of NYC was paved, either with cobblestones or, later macadam, a TAR item, though there were also many unpaved roads.

08-01-2012, 05:05 PM	#16
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: What was an "improved road" The LONG ISLAND MOTOR PARKWAY, a forty-three mile long, limited access, paved road completed in 1908, paid for PERSONALLY by William K Vanderbilt and operating as a toll road, $1 for the forty + miles. It had sedimentary stones contained in the two lanes of TAR, with certain curves BANKED, and barriers placed where needed. This highway had SIXTY-FIVE BRIDGES, thus eliminating intersections. It extended westward in 1920 from mid-Queens to near Queens Blvd, so autos could easily access it from the Queensboro Bridge, completed in 1909. This parkway ended about fifty miles east of Manhattan at Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island, NY, where Vanderbilt constructed a restaurant/catering hall/ hotel as a terminus for hhis highway. Much of the Parkway is now Suffolk County Road 67, VANDERBILT HIGHWAY, while other portions are abandoned, leaving bridges in backyards and in parking lots and such. The Motor Parkway is considered the FIRST, LIMITED ACCESS highway built for autos. Most of NYC was paved, either with cobblestones or, later macadam, a TAR item, though there were also many unpaved roads.