45. Baldwin Street, New Zealand
Constructed: Late-1800s
Risk Factor: Extremely steep
Though some Pittsburghers would disagree, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand is the world’s steepest residential road. The gradient is 35%, and the steepest section of Baldwin is made of concrete. The gradient is too high for asphalt, which would run down the road during a hot day, turning Baldwin into a liquid nightmare.
Baldwin Street, New Zealand @ca4ole / Pinterest.com
The road wasn’t intended to be as steep as it is. When Dunedin was being planned, streets were laid in a grid pattern, and no consideration was given to the actual terrain below the grids. The planners went ahead with Baldwin anyway, despite the high gradient.