West Side Highway/Henry Hudson Parkway.

[brianac]

Reading about the recent closure of the northbound exit from the West Side Highway at W72nd. Street, reminded me of something that has puzzled me since I first noticed it. There appears to be an exit ramp on the southbound side of the highway at 72nd. Street. I have looked at various web sites about the highway, under both names but can’t find a reference to this ramp. Is it something that was never completed or something that was used and later demolished?

Can anyone enlighten me?

[brianac]

I have managed to answer my own question.

It is a section of the original 1930's Miller Elevated Highway which must have been left there when the highway was upgraded.

Thanks to the following.

http://forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/miller/miller.html

[macreator]

I forgot how elegant the old Miller Viaduct was. Too bad the new viaduct couldn't use replica lights and maintain the old arch design. Although I suppose such niceties would be only temporary considering the endgame seems to be the burying of the viaduct once its time for replacement in a few decades.

[brianac]

I forgot how elegant the old Miller Viaduct was. Too bad the new viaduct couldn't use replica lights and maintain the old arch design. Although I suppose such niceties would be only temporary considering the endgame seems to be the burying of the viaduct once its time for replacement in a few decades.

True. If they can't pour it out of a truck, they don't do it.
Ironic that the December 1973 collapse was caused by the weight of a concrete truck.

Trump gets his way. They appear to be in a hurry to demolish the exit ramp at 72nd. St. I suppose pulling it down prevents any U turn on the original decision. I would be interested to hear about the progress of this demolition.