The last two working versions of New York City’s “Wheelies,” the long-armed stoplights with the auto wheel motif first introduced in the mid-1920s, have been denuded and emasculated. They still stand on East 46th and Park Avenue at Grand Central Terminal, but they now have no practical use.
Their function superceded by a modern guy-wired stoplight mounted on a nearby lamppost, they exist now as fancy holders for one-way signs.
Undoubtedly the Department of Transportation would love to tear them down, and has wanted to for years, but they have NYC Landmarks protection.
But the City is making darn sure they have nothing to do, like transgressing teachers in the “rubber room” because they can’t be fired.
4/9/12