The eastbound ramp casts us into the lower level of the double-decked
section of the LIE. Until the late 60's, this classic 50's era
overpass taking 48th Street over the highway, must've seemed
impressive. After all, with only cemetaries and low rise buildings
around, it dominated the landscape. Once the double-decking took
place, it sort of got submerged. The combined brick, stone and
concrete arch style was used for most of the first generation
LIE overpasses. Since the early LIE construction took place in
disconnected bits and pieces, you'll find these arched overpasses
spread out in far flung sections of the highway. This was the
last such archway within Queens County, the next one taking the
LIE over Lakeville Road in Lake Success.
As put upon as it might seem, under the overbearing shadow of
the upper deck, it fared a hell of alot better than it's fellow
archway that used to carry the LIE over the BQE. That overpass
was completely obliterated, as the BQE roadbed was filled in
to support a new elevated BQE, which now towers over both LIE
decks. |
