The world's widest boulevard with 16 lanes was completed half a century ago

Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires, Argentina still maintains the title of "World's Widest Avenue" with a width of about 140m, with 16 lanes.

The history of this avenue began in the early 20th century, when the government of the Argentine capital decided to build a monumental road in the center inspired by the Champs Elysee avenue of Paris (France).

The Avenida 9 de Julio construction project is very large, going through many construction stages, taking nearly half a century to complete. Of which, phase 1 was completed in 1937, phase 2 in 1960. After 1980, the southern areas continued to be completed. Thousands of households and many houses were demolished to build this avenue. Since its completion, Avenida 9 de Julio is still the widest avenue in the world.

Along this avenue are neatly planned buildings. To the south of the avenue is the Constitución train station, to the north is the French Embassy with European-style architecture, and the Teatro Colón theater. In the middle of the avenue is the 70m high Obelisco, facing the sky, inaugurated in 1936.

A TikToker tried crossing Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires from one side to the other, and the total time including waiting for red lights at intersections was 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Meanwhile, crossing time on other avenues around the world is only about 25 seconds.

Lesley Montoya

Update 24 July 2024