Joy of Light Photoblog
The Old Highway Viaduct
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 25 November 2008 in Landscape & Rural.
This view shows how the viaduct was cut into the mountainside through this section. Tomorrow - we conclude with a long shot of this project.
( series five of six )
© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
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Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
A super shot Stephen, and it shows mans determination to conquer nature. Ironically this road is slowly being taken back !
25 Nov 2008 5:28am
Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom
very good shot, they will put roads anywere
25 Nov 2008 6:40am
@Alun Lambert: What amazes me is that this was all built with heavy concrete and steel in the 1930's. Just getting the equipment in and out would a considerable logistics challenge. There would also be the challenge of surveying this project - through mountains that are continually re-shaped by massive amounts of winter rains.
yz from Budapest, Hungary
nice shot, I like that yellow patch of foliage on the left, that shines even on the thumbnail
25 Nov 2008 7:59am
Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany
What a piece of civil engineering,great scene.
25 Nov 2008 9:22am
@Anthony Lambert: And here we are 75 years later,with President Elect Obama proposing similar projects to stimulate the economy - just as president Roosevelt did then. A the wheel goes round...
Betty from New Jersey, United States
It's actually very beautiful! The columns, the guardrail. Excellent.
25 Nov 2008 10:39am
@Betty: Thanks, Betty - I was glad I took the opportunity to capture this series. And it was so beautiful. A very mild day with rain moving in. It stayed dry during my hike. A gentle breeze. The air was thick with the smell of redwoods. The entire time I was up there - I never heard any traffic noise - just the sound of birds and the river rapids below.
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Good view of this viaduct. Let's see tomorrow wide last image (it's a pity)
25 Nov 2008 10:46am
@Paco Díaz: My heart agrees - Nevertheless, it is what it is - as the only constant is change.
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Amazing works and a fantastic documentary!!!
25 Nov 2008 11:25am
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Would like to see these beautiful places with sun and vivid colors... the atmosphere here is so sad... but of course this serie is an interesting documentary.
25 Nov 2008 2:16pm
@Evelyne Dubos: Thanks, Evelyne. I was very happy to have the opportunity to walk there. Ironically - I could have never captured this while the road was open.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
It's such an awesome sight, it takes my breath away, I can only imagine being in front of it, with my camera, man...;)
25 Nov 2008 3:34pm
@Lorraine: Hey, lady ;) - it was a wonderful experience. I have such powerful memories of my early adventures along these roads, back in the seventies. It was fulfilling to hike up this road. To memorialize it in my small way.
gbe from kansas city, United States
i'm continually amazed that buildings are successfully constructed in ideal conditions on flat ground. the thought of this road just astounds me. you've captured it very well.
25 Nov 2008 4:19pm
@gbe: There is a book you'd surely enjoy, titled, "Why Buildings Stand Up." Here is the link at Amazon:
...enjoy.
Jeff from Pembroke Dock, United Kingdom
Hard dangerous work,whichever way you look at it...Well taken documentary photograph.
25 Nov 2008 4:32pm
Marcie from United States
WOW! What an incredible site. Love how you've framed and captured this.
25 Nov 2008 4:32pm
@Marcie: Thanks.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
An impressive work : the building of this viaduct…
25 Nov 2008 5:15pm
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
WOW Impressive. Breathtaking. Moreover if we try to imagine under which conditions it was built... Great work
25 Nov 2008 6:26pm
@Rui: Thanks, Rui - it is a beautiful old road. I appreciate the comment.
JJ from Jersey City, United States
I understad how they cam make roads through mountains and hill sides these days with all the high tech equipment available, but imagine the physical labour that went in make these roads way back then
26 Nov 2008 1:56am
@JJ: The application of engineering technology to this mountainside in the 1930's was the primary reason I felt moved to do this series. This is but one small example of the hundreds of beautiful bridges, tunnels, and causeways that were built all across our nation in a few short years.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
I realize this is about the road and the progression, but my little eye spies that splash of yellow in the green and I can't help but say "oooh!". Nice shot Stephen!
26 Nov 2008 4:20am
@bluechameleon: Thanks so very much. You slid that 'oooh' in - in much the same way nature slide in that yellow tree. I appreciate them both.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
These are amazing captures. I love the way roads wrap around mountains. I'm at home in the mountains...not much of a flatlander.
26 Nov 2008 4:22am
@sherri: I spent several weeks vacationing in the Ozarks in my teens. I was in awe of how beautiful and mountainous the region is. Thanks.
