Modern Marvels Season 10 Episode 79 Overseas Highway

The Overseas Highway is one of the most scenic roads in the United States. Connecting mainland Florida to the Florida Keys, it spans over 113 miles and provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The Modern Marvels season 10 episode 79 explores the history and engineering behind this iconic highway.

The episode begins by tracing the origins of the Overseas Highway back to the early 1900s when the Florida Keys were largely isolated from the mainland. The only means of transportation were steamships and ferries, which were not only slow but also unreliable. As tourism grew in the region, there was a need for a more efficient way to reach the Keys and the surrounding areas.

The program then delves into the first attempts to build a highway in the Keys. In the 1920s, a railroad was constructed from Miami to Key West, but it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935. In the aftermath of the disaster, the state of Florida decided to build a highway that would connect the mainland to Key West.

The construction of the Overseas Highway was a daunting task. Engineers had to build a road across miles of open water, connect dozens of islands, and withstand the harsh weather conditions of the region. The program shows how engineers used innovative techniques such as the use of concrete and steel to build the highway and how they overcame challenges like hurricanes and high tides.

The show also highlights the economic impact of the Overseas Highway. Before the highway was built, the Florida Keys were mostly inhabited by fishermen and sponge divers. However, as the highway opened up the region to more tourists, businesses started to sprout up, and the local economy thrived. The episode talks to residents who remember the days before and after the highway's construction and shows how it transformed their lives.

Furthermore, the Modern Marvels episode explores the Overseas Highway's role in national defense. During World War II, the highway was an essential link in the transportation of troops and supplies. The Navy also used the highway as a training ground for their amphibious assault forces. The program shows how the military used the unique terrain of the Keys to train soldiers for beach landings.

Finally, the show examines the maintenance and upkeep of the Overseas Highway. Even though the highway was built over 80 years ago, engineers have maintained it to be safe and functional. The program shows how engineers use innovative techniques such as solar-powered lights, salt-tolerant plants, and recycled materials to keep the road in good condition.

In conclusion, the Modern Marvels season 10 episode 79 is a fascinating look into one of America's most iconic highways. The episode traces the history of the highway, the challenges involved in building it, and the impact it has had on the local economy. It also explores the highway's role in national defense and the innovative techniques used to maintain it. Overall, the episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history and engineering of road construction in America.