New York, NY - Urban Archive

South of Union Square

Story

A Drive Along the West Side

Take a drive up the West Side! This story guides us along the path of the West Side Highway.

Following the western shoreline of Manhattan is the West Side Highway. In history, it has passed the World Trade Center, various warehouses and slaughterhouses for livestock received on piers in the Hudson, and Moses' famous failure, the West Side Elevated Highway. Since the 19th century, the West Side Highway has been a vital part of the city's system of roadways.

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Urban Archive

1

74 Greenwich Street

74 Greenwich Street

This west side route begins at the mouth of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. This tunnel, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, required one-million pounds of dynamite for its excavation.

2

Liberty Street Ferry Terminal

Liberty Street Ferry Terminal

The route of the West Side Highway begins as West Street, which becomes 11th Avenue at its intersection with Tenth Avenue at 13th Street, and finally merges as 12th Avenue at 22nd Street.

3

500 West 14th Street

500 West 14th Street

At this intersection, West Street becomes 11th Avenue.

4

West 22nd Street and West Side Highway

West 22nd Street and West Side Highway

Around 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue, the highway was called "Death Avenue" because of the high volume of train, car, and pedestrian accidents. To amend the dire situation, the West Side Elevated Highway was constructed.

5

West Side Elevated Highway

West Side Elevated Highway

Constructed between 1929 and 1951, the West Side Elevated Highway was out of date and largely obsolete by the time it was completed. Constructed, along with the elevated rail line over 11th Avenue, the new infrastructure was a means to make this area safer.

6

Pier 78

Pier 78

This flock of sheep, pictured here, was likely making their way to the Gansevoort Street Market. The market's existence was threatened by the construction of the highway, though years of iterations on schemes for the road allowed it to remain intact throughout construction.

7

Piers 95-98

Piers 95-98

This photo shows the construction of Piers 95 through 98 along the West Side Highway.

8

Hudson River at 78th Street

Hudson River at 78th Street

The West Side Highway becomes the Henry Hudson Parkway at 72nd Street. Throughout history, the route has been a vital part of New York's transport infrastructure.

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