AUSTIN | Photos & Videos Thread

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Ehhhhhh. I’ve spent a lot of time in Atlanta and although the skyline is amazing it has so many bam-ish moments at the top of every ridgeline from 100 miles away, by the time you reach the actual bam it is kindof underwhelming. I was trying to keep the list to those cities where there’s an approach that has a sudden reveal and not much before that at all.

That said: Austin’s got a NUMBER of great sudden bam moments on all of its highways, except southbound 35. Even 360 (CityView) and 183 (Colorado Bridge) have a single very specific “bam” moment:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zBS8Pb81UTM5a2nt5?g_st=ic
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9QjxY4NnnTeG4C6NA?g_st=ic

Hmm, didn’t realize you had the best and perfect list of skyline approaches ever conceived by anyone.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Hmm, didn’t realize you had the best and perfect list of skyline approaches ever conceived by anyone.

Wasnt my intention to come across that way…

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Wasnt my intention to come across that way…

It’s ok, I was just trying to suggest other cities that I’ve had that experience in.
Also, Sea to Sky highway in Vancouver is a good one.

[Riverranchdrone]

I do like Austin skyline views coming from the North. You see the skyline and then lose it for a bit before another peak and boom its closer. Then you lose it again for a bit and then it pops out again. Boom Closer. I do like the coming up from the south on IH35 before Riverside and the skyline just jumps out at you. That much be why traffic is always backed up there. Shock and Awe.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

I do like Austin skyline views coming from the North. You see the skyline and then lose it for a bit before another peak and boom its closer. Then you lose it again for a bit and then it pops out again. Boom Closer. I do like the coming up from the south on IH35 before Riverside and the skyline just jumps out at you. That much be why traffic is always backed up there. Shock and Awe.

I always thought that looky loos had at least caused some of the slow downs going through dt, myself included. I'm lucky I haven't rearended anyone...yet.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I always thought that looky loos had at least caused some of the slow downs going through dt, myself included. I'm lucky I haven't rearended anyone...yet.

I’ve had the same thought: it is probably a not-insignificant portion of the slowdown. Maybe not as much as the design and grade issues or the capacity problems, but still worth investing in the solution we’ve collectively decided on:

The looky loo problem will be massively reduced with the highway being depressed and capped.

[The ATX]

I think the best Austin skyline "bam!" (Thanks, Emirel) moment is on Mopac. There isn't much of a hint of the skyline coming into Central Austin from either the North or South until you cross the river, then Bam! you get an awesome skyline view looking East.

[drummer]

Crossing the river on Mopac and around the interchange with Cesar Chavez/5th, etc., is one of my favorite views of DT.

[Mopacs]

Here's what I would call a double BAM grand reveal. Approaching Seattle on I-5 NB, you are first greeted to a grand panoramic view (at 4:55) and then bam, right under the skyline (at 5:46)

• Video Link

And the aforementioned Ft Pitt tunnel in Pittsburgh

• Video Link

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

And the aforementioned Ft Pitt tunnel in Pittsburgh

• Video Link

Even better at night.

[gillynova]

Thanks for sharing both Seattle and Pittsburgh! I've never been to both cities and those "BAM" views are amazing! I will be going to Seattle this coming weekend for the first time though. Looking forward to seeing their skyline

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by The ATX

I think the best Austin skyline "bam!" (Thanks, Emirel) moment is on Mopac. There isn't much of a hint of the skyline coming into Central Austin from either the North or South until you cross the river, then Bam! you get an awesome skyline view looking East.

The problem is that this view is not directly in front of you. Guess it's fine for the rubber-necking passenger, but it is dangerous for the driver (especially for a geezer like me) who has to take his eyes of the road in order to take in the skyline views from Mopac.https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2731...er=0&entry=ttu

I much prefer the view obtained driving northbound on 35 as you come around the bend and swoop down over Lady Bird Lake with downtown looming large to your immediate left. https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2494...er=0&entry=ttu

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by gillynova

Thanks for sharing both Seattle and Pittsburgh! I've never been to both cities and those "BAM" views are amazing! I will be going to Seattle this coming weekend for the first time though. Looking forward to seeing their skyline

No prob! Absolutely go up to Kerry Park just north of downtown. The view of the city is iconic. If you're lucky Mt Rainier will make its appearance from 60+ miles away (you can see that mountain from ALL OVER Seattle).

https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/kerry-park

[Mopacs]

Zoomed in from 71 at ABIA

[IluvATX]

From the airport down 71 and Riverside is possibly my favorite view of downtown. It captures the true density of East Riverside and downtown.

[Riverranchdrone]

[IMG]DJI_0100-HDR-Pano by Jason Luebbe, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]DJI_0074-HDR-Pano by Jason Luebbe, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]DJI_0074-HDR-Pano by Jason Luebbe, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]DJI_0044-HDR-Pano by Jason Luebbe, on Flickr[/IMG]

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Here's what I would call a double BAM grand reveal. Approaching Seattle on I-5 NB, you are first greeted to a grand panoramic view (at 4:55) and then bam, right under the skyline (at 5:46)

• Video Link

And the aforementioned Ft Pitt tunnel in Pittsburgh

• Video Link

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I remember being blown away coming out of that tunnel in Pittsburgh years ago when I went up for a friend's wedding.

Here's a decent one in Boston. On 93 North approaching downtown Boston from the south, you start with a view of the Pru and Hancock Tower. Then you go around this bend and get hit with downtown. And the more you drive, the better it gets. (Start at 19:10.)

• Video Link

Coming out the other end of the tunnel and onto the Bunker Hill bridge is pretty nice too. (23:40) Side note: the bridge was designed to resemble the Bunker Hill Monument, which is just to the right when you're driving.

[IluvATX]

Isn’t that parking garage that looks incomplete after ~10 years for Whole Foods? I don’t recall if it was corporate or for customers. Would be nice to density that parking lot.

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

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I remember being blown away coming out of that tunnel in Pittsburgh years ago when I went up for a friend's wedding.

Here's a decent one in Boston. On 93 North approaching downtown Boston from the south, you start with a view of the Pru and Hancock Tower. Then you go around this bend and get hit with downtown. And the more you drive, the better it gets. (Start at 19:10.)

• Video Link

Coming out the other end of the tunnel and onto the Bunker Hill bridge is pretty nice too. (23:40) Side note: the bridge was designed to resemble the Bunker Hill Monument, which is just to the right when you're driving.

Very nice view! I was there last year but didn't get an opportunity to drive that route.

A nice little bonus in that video - check out the billboard at 19:00

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Very nice view! I was there last year but didn't get an opportunity to drive that route.

A nice little bonus in that video - check out the billboard at 19:00

Nice! "Austin... Boston," were the first words Brad Delp spoke on stage when the band Boston performed at the Erwin Center in 1987.