Father Pitt

Tag: Brick Streets

  • Bricks and Blocks

    Fallowfield Avenue in Beechview
    Nikon COOLPIX P100.

    Looking down a steep slope on Fallowfield Avenue in Beechview. Bricks were used to pave relatively flat sections of streets in hilly neighborhoods, because bricks were cheap and durable. But bricks are slippery when wet or icy. More expensive Belgian block, which gives better traction, was used for slopes.

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  • Under the Asphalt

    Bricks revealed under asphalt pavement on a street in Beechview

    Scratch the asphalt of any Pittsburgh street—like this one in Beechview, which had just been milled in preparation for repaving—and you will find bricks if the street is relatively flat, or Belgian block if it is on a steep slope or in a heavy-traffic area.