West Side Elevated Highway
West Side Elevated Highway
The West Side Elevated Highway, also known as the Miller Highway, was a pioneering piece of infrastructure in New York City, designed to alleviate traffic congestion on Manhattan's west side. Named after Julius Miller, the Manhattan borough president from 1922 to 1930, it represented a significant step in urban planning and transportation design during the early 20th century.
Conception and Construction
The concept of an elevated highway along the west side of Manhattan was first officially proposed by Police Commissioner Richard Edward Enright on January 12, 1924. The proposal aimed to combat the severe traffic issues along the Hudson River, where roads were heavily congested due to significant cross-traffic heading to docks and ferries. This area was notoriously known as "Death Avenue" due to frequent collisions between trains on the New York Central Railroad's West Side Line and automobiles.
Construction of the highway began in 1929, with the intent to create a grade-separated roadway that would streamline traffic flow and reduce accidents. The highway ran from West 72nd Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan, allowing vehicles to bypass the busy streets below.
Decline and Demise
Over time, the West Side Elevated Highway became outdated and fell into disrepair. By the 1960s, the structure was considered unsafe, and plans for its replacement or removal were discussed. The highway faced numerous challenges, including deterioration and the evolving needs of urban transportation.
In the 1970s and 1980s, portions of the highway were closed and subsequently dismantled. By 1989, the entire elevated structure was removed, except for a small section from 59th Street to 72nd Street. This remaining portion effectively became an extension of the Henry Hudson Parkway.
Transformation and Legacy
The removal of the West Side Elevated Highway paved the way for an innovative urban redesign. A grade-level, six-lane "urban boulevard" was constructed, encompassing the names of the original surface streets: West Street, Eleventh Avenue, and Twelfth Avenue. This boulevard is commonly referred to as the West Side Highway, integrating modern traffic needs with the city's urban fabric.
The transformation of the old elevated highway into a surface-level roadway is often cited in discussions of freeway removal and urban renewal. It has influenced similar projects across the globe, where elevated highways have been replaced with more accessible and aesthetically pleasing urban environments.