Skyline Drive

The Skyline Drive is a 169 km long tourist road through the Shenandoah National Park in the U.S. state of Virginia. It combines 75 viewpoints and always leads over mountains and ridges. The road is frequented especially in the fall during the fall foliage color. The National Scenic Byway is traversed annually by two million people.

Starting points, toll and traffic rules

Popular starting points are the northern starting point of Front Royal on U.S. Highway 340 and the southern terminus at Rockfish Gap ( Interstate 64 and U.S. Highway 250). Other popular starting points are located at Thornton Gap ( U.S. Highway 211 ) and the Swift Run Gap ( U.S. Highway 33).

The Skyline Drive is chargeable by the toll entrance to the Shenandoah National Park; for cars falling cost of $ 10, $ 15 for motorcycles. In addition, the acquisition of a weekly pass for $ 15 and an annual pass for $ 30 is possible.

The speed limit of 60 km / h is highly controlled. In addition, care must be taken to animals such as deer and bears crossing the road, as well as lasting cars and cyclists.

History

The Skyline Drive arose from a project of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. It was first necessary for the difficult and dangerous construction incisions are made in the mountains in order to build one for the road sufficiently wide road can. 1931 Construction began in 1939 was completed, the portion from Rockfish Gap to Swift Run Gap. On building the Civilian Conservation Corps were also involved. They were, inter alia, engaged in the erection of crash barriers, setting up lookouts and planting of many trees and shrubs along the road.

The Skyline Drive was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and in October 2008, a National Historic Landmark.