When navigating between New York City's unique neighborhoods (known as boroughs), going over or under the water at some point is going to be inevitable. This is why NYC has a bunch of well known historical bridges that connect the boroughs of New York City.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most famous of the NY bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is listed today as a certified historic monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, though he wretchedly did not survive to see it completed. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, usurped the Brooklyn bridge project to continue his father's legacy.
Queensboro Bridge
One of busiest bridges in NY is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross every year, together with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collaboration between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and architect/designer Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at one time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Manhattan Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is not an exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East Brook. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street automobiles around the 1940s. The entrance arches to the bridge were famously influenced by the Porte St. Dennis in Paris and designed by Carrere and Hastings, the firm behind the Long Island Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is probably one of the most busy bridges in N. Y. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year combined with hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians. When it opened in 1903 it said the title of longest suspension bridge span in the world at 1,600 feet, just topping the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Long Island to New Jersey across the Hudson River. When the bridge opened in 1931 the bridge was twice as long as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the Washington bridge sees over 52 million vehicles cross its span every year. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss designer, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an acceptable design.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most famous of the NY bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is listed today as a certified historic monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, though he wretchedly did not survive to see it completed. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, usurped the Brooklyn bridge project to continue his father's legacy.
Queensboro Bridge
One of busiest bridges in NY is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross every year, together with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collaboration between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and architect/designer Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at one time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Manhattan Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is not an exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East Brook. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street automobiles around the 1940s. The entrance arches to the bridge were famously influenced by the Porte St. Dennis in Paris and designed by Carrere and Hastings, the firm behind the Long Island Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is probably one of the most busy bridges in N. Y. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year combined with hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians. When it opened in 1903 it said the title of longest suspension bridge span in the world at 1,600 feet, just topping the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Long Island to New Jersey across the Hudson River. When the bridge opened in 1931 the bridge was twice as long as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the Washington bridge sees over 52 million vehicles cross its span every year. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss designer, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an acceptable design.
About the Author:
Shawn Pratten has had an interest in New York bridges for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For some more info, please visit his site athttp://www.landmarksinnewyork.com/landmarks/.
