One such material is asphalt, a substance often placed on top of buildings and used to cover road surfaces.
VOA: special.2010.03.02
"It is a fantastic testimony to the international fame of the Beatles that -- more than 40 years on -- this crossing continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, trying to mimic their iconic 'Abbey Road' album cover, " British heritage minister John Penrose said.
Despite Bloomberg's assurances the city wouldn't be strained, it seemed insensitive to assign police and city workers to cover a road race while a crisis continued.
In the foot-well and the wheel arches, scientists found traces of a distinctive mix of chalk, brick dust and concrete used to cover the road leading to the ditch.