Canton Avenue, Sloping street in Beechview, Pittsburgh, US
Canton Avenue is a sloping street in Beechview, Pittsburgh that extends roughly 630 feet (190 meters) with a notably steep 37 percent grade section. The street runs from Coast Avenue up to Hampshire Avenue and ranks among the steepest public roads in the country.
The street was built as Pittsburgh expanded its neighborhoods into the region's hilly terrain. The steep grade resulted from natural topography, forcing engineers to adapt their designs to the landscape rather than alter it.
Every year, Canton Avenue forms part of the Dirty Dozen bicycle race, where cyclists attempt to conquer its demanding 37 percent gradient.
The street closes to traffic during winter months due to icy conditions on the slope. Visitors can access it at other times, though the steep grade means ascending vehicles move slowly and parking nearby is limited.
The road surface transitions from pavement to cobblestones about one-third of the way up to provide extra grip as vehicles climb. This material change shows how early engineers solved practical problems with straightforward solutions.
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