When traveling between NYC's unique neighborhoods (known as boroughs), traveling across water at some specific point is unavoidable. That's why the city has a number of well known and historic bridges that connect NYC's boroughs.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the best known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn to Manhattan. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is listed today as a historical monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the latter 1860s, even though he wretchedly was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, took control of the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active bridges in New York is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross every year, along with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it had been a partnership between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and designer Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at a previous time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most New York Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge isn't 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 at first designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles during 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 New York Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, combined with tons of cycle riders and foot traffic. When it opened in 1903 it said the title of longest suspension bridge span in the world at 1,600 feet, just beating the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects New York 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 bridge sees over 52 million cars cross its span each year. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss deigner and architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an appropriate design.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the best known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn to Manhattan. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is listed today as a historical monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the latter 1860s, even though he wretchedly was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, took control of the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active bridges in New York is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross every year, along with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it had been a partnership between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and designer Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at a previous time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most New York Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge isn't 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 at first designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles during 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 New York Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, combined with tons of cycle riders and foot traffic. When it opened in 1903 it said the title of longest suspension bridge span in the world at 1,600 feet, just beating the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects New York 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 bridge sees over 52 million cars cross its span each year. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss deigner and architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an appropriate 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/.
