Singing Road in Tijeras

On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is being fenced in with an angry bull and 10 is Christmas morning, the singing road in Tijeras is a 7.

 It is like nothing I've ever driven on before! I didn't even know this was possible. As you drive over the rumble strip on a special section of the Route 66 Highway in Tijeras, the road sings at you!! It was so unexpected to experience that for the first time. It is a road I want to drive on over and over again whenever I am on that side of town. But that being said, the song doesn't change, the singing road could have been longer, and the song could have been slightly more epic.

My First Ride on the Singing Road: 

We were in the family car on the way up to Madrid from Albuquerque with our grandparents. When leaving the house, it was soon discovered that I had never heard of this human-built phenomenon called the Singing Road. No one in the car would tell me what it was, so I was trying to imagine how on earth a road could sing. Were there pipes that made sound right as you drove by them? Were there tunnels involved? I couldn't figure it out. As we got closer to it, everyone was anticipating some inconspicuous blue sign. Finally it came. Here is what it looked like:

Shortly thereafter, the next signs appeared:

Of course we followed these simple instructions. Following this, a rumble strip along the highway became apparent. We drove along it at exactly 45 mph and when you are on the rumble strip, the road makes out a tune. You soon discover that this song is "America the Beautiful." How cool!! Here is a youtube video that demonstrates how the road sounds.

Some History and Facts:

• Musical Roads exist in the following 6 countries: Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, San Marino, and the United States
• In the US, the two existing musical roads exist in Lancaster, CA and in Tijeras, NM
• These roads make the music because metal strips which are laid under the asphalt with the rumble strip over the plate. When the car goes precisely 45 mph over these strips, the wheels and the car driving causes vibration of the plates. This vibration is is felt and heard inside the car. As the thickness of the plate differs, the variety of notes is created. 
• This road in Tijeras was opened in October of 2014 and was funded by National Geographic as part of a show called "Crowd Control" which uses fun experiments to change social behavior. 
• The state's board supported it in hopes that it will help stop distracted drivers or drowsy drivers from falling asleep at the road.

We Believe the Road Would be Even More Epic if it Played: 

• Route 66 Theme Song
• The Rocky Theme Song
• I would walk 500 Miles-The Proclaimers
• Radioactive-Imagine Dragons
• Sail-Awolnation (especially the Introduction)
• Highway to Hell-ACDC

Let us know your thoughts! Comment below about what song you think the Singing Road should play!!