East Highway Construction
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East Highway Construction |
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| Construction on the east highway approach was started in April 1923. Beginning about 3.5 miles north of Peekskill, the new road continues for 3.25 miles along the rugged slopes of the Manitou Hills. The road, cut into the southern face of Anthony's Nose, has an elevation of 410 ft. |   |
| Virtually the entire structure of the roadway required rock excavation and fill. because the terrain was almost entirely granite, 70% of the material removed had to be drilled and blasted. The road was accessible only at its eastern end, and to add to the difficulties of construction, the tracks of the New York Central Railroad were situated directly below 5,000 ft of the highway. Through this section of the highway, all methods of construction had, of necessity, to take into consideration the safe and uninterrupted operation of the railroad. Barriers had to be built in pairs, and in some places, three lines of barriers were used. | |
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The highway was built for the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Co. and would be operated as a toll road in connection with the bridge. The toll house, situated in the town of Cortlandt, collected tolls regardless of whether the bridge was used. The collection of tolls purposely limited the use of the road because the bridge company would have been liable for any accidents. |
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