The designation for certain roadways originates from a physical barrier once used to collect tolls. This barrier was a rotating gate, resembling a horizontal spear or pike, set on a vertical stand. Passage was only permitted after a toll was paid, at which point the pike would be turned to allow vehicles or travelers to proceed.
This system of toll collection provided a crucial means for funding road construction and maintenance in the early days of infrastructure development. The practice of charging fees directly linked the cost of road upkeep to those who benefited most from its use. The rotating pike served as a tangible symbol of this transaction, solidifying its association with the road itself.
