Musical Highway in Lancaster

[dusty]

I just watched a piece on CBS News that there is a section of musical highway in Lancaster, CA.

I wonder what it is like. Have you driven this section of highway, charlese? Is it annoying? Why was it put there to start with?

[gregf]

It was paid for by American Honda for a commercial.
The timing of the grooves was such that the wheelbase and tire diameter of a Civic would play the William Tell Overture.

[rkh2]

Looks like some folks didn't like the music as you can read in the following link. I used to live in Palmdale, next door to Lancaster, and read the local newspaper online and today this article was in it.

http://www.avpress.com/#inpast

[charlese]

I just watched a piece on CBS News that there is a section of musical highway in Lancaster, CA.

I wonder what it is like. Have you driven this section of highway, charlese? Is it annoying? Why was it put there to start with?

No, didn't get a chance to drive it. Mrs. charlese was reluctant to use the gasoline to go the 20 miles round trip, just to drive over a grooved road. (I didn't get a chance to sneak out by myself ;) )

That area is pretty rural, but some folks living as far as a mile away couldn't sleep because of the noise/music. Traffic increased quite a bit because of notoriety. Some drivers even crossed into the left hand lane of this two lane street - REALLY DANGEROUS!!! and drove it backwards. This was one of the good reasons to pave it over. However, I too wonder what the William Tell Overture would sound like backwards.

I understand a driver had to go over the grooves at 50 MPH to make it sound right.

Honda Motor CO. made the grooves for filming a commercial. Hope we get to see it! They left a $20,000 bond to cover the costs of re-paving, in case the City didn't like it.

It was paved over (Grooves removed) yesterday and today.

You can read another article about the road in the Sept 18th issue of the Antelope Valley Press. http://www.avpress.com/ But you'll have to hurry on this = Tomorrow I think this e-issue will disappear.

[kalynzoo]

At my grand-daughter's birthday party Sunday, that roadway was the talk of all those coming from Palmdale. Guess the road sound travels clearly through the evening air in the high desert. Didn't hear a single positive comment. It's a good thing they paved it over before some redneck decided to practice with explosives. (I like rednecks....term sometimes used to describe me). I think this project should be listed up there with the wind tubes at the beach (can't remember where I saw them, maybe Gollita). Lovely, windswept, isolated beach, and as you look out on the waves, and try to hear the sound of the surf, all you keep hearing are bells and horns from the "artwork".