Concrete wings on old Indiana highways

Not long ago I shared this image of a bypassed section of US 41 near Schneider, Indiana. I pointed out the concrete “wings” on both edges of the former highway. I wondered aloud whether these were added at some time after the central portion of the concrete as a way of widening the highway. I also wondered why they were so narrow — at first glance, only about a foot wide. One foot isn’t much of a widening. A few of you pointed out that grass likely covers up to half of these concrete wings. The grassy area does start out mighty flat, on the same plane as the wings. The wings are clearly about twice as wide as the visible concrete. Side note: I really need to carry a tape measure with me on road trips. And maybe a shovel and a weed whacker. Essential tools for old-road archaeology. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen wings on an old Indiana highway. I believe they were a technique the Indiana State Department of Highways used to widen its old, narrow concrete highways. The other…