Thursday, May 28, 2009

What Difference Does The 5 Freeway Make?

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 23, 2009. Dry weeds above the Viaduct Footings and closest to the 5 Freeway are coated in black gunk. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

While the Adelbert end of the Red Car Property boasts the largest variety of unique plants, it may also be the most polluted portion of the property. Closest to the 5 Freeway, a heavily travelled truck corridor, it's also right above the intersection of Riverside & Fletcher, another heavily travelled commute corridor.

The dry weeds near Riverside & Fletcher bear a black grime not evident on the dry weeds at the southern end of the Red Car Property at Corralitas & the 2 Freeway. The 2 Freeway has nowhere near the same truck or traffic volume as the 5 Freeway. The southern end of the property is also further away from the 5 Freeway than the northern end.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. Dry weeds at the Corralitas end of the Red Car Property, closest to the 2 Freeway, do not show the same black gunk as those close to the 5 Freeway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)