Merrit Parkway Postcard Inspires Hilarious Reddit Thread
The CT Reddit page had a ball with this old postcard of the Merrit Parkway.
Merrit Parkway fun facts:
The Merrit Parkway groundbreaking ceremony was in July of 1934.
- Parkway construction cost $21 million.
- The parkway was names for Congressman Schuyler Merritt, who long represented the southwestern part of Connecticut in the U.S. Congress.
- The original purpose of the Merrit was to alleviate congestion in southwestern Connecticut, especially on U.S. Route 1, the Boston Post Road, which had become infamous for traffic jams.
- Exterior designs of the 69 bridges were done by George Dunkelberger, Highway Architect.
- The curves of the road were designed for a speed of 45 miles per hour.
- In 1991 the Merrit Parkway was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
- In 1993 the Parkway was designated a State Scenic Road.
- In 1996 the U.S. Department of Transportation designated the Merrit a National Scenic byway.
I've seen my life flash before my eyes many times on the Merrit Parkway. I'm fine with the danger of the scenic road when I'm alone but I prefer not to drive it, with my family in the car. I think that pretty much sums up the Merrit, maybe their should be posted warnings at each entrance.
The real question is, what road is more dangerous? Is it the Merrit Parkway or the Taconic State Parkway in New York? These are very similar in their sharp curves, rolling hills and drivers hell bent on destruction. This is a terrific topic for another day, stay tuned for CT/NY road wars.
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