When visiting between New York City's five neighborhoods (known as boroughs), going under or over water at some point will be unavoidable. That is the reason why the city has a number of widely known historic bridges that connect the boroughs together.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most widely known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. At the time it was 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a certified historic monument. It was German engineer John Roebling who designed the bridge in the latter 1860s, although he wretchedly didn't live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son took over the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most busy bridges in NY is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross each year, along with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a partnership between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and architect Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at one previous point the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Manhattan Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is no exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East River. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the most active bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, together with hundreds of cycle riders and pedestrians. When it opened in 1903 it announced 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 George Washington bridge sees over 52 million vehicles cross its span each year. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an acceptable design.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most widely known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. At the time it was 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a certified historic monument. It was German engineer John Roebling who designed the bridge in the latter 1860s, although he wretchedly didn't live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son took over the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most busy bridges in NY is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross each year, along with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a partnership between engineer Gustav Lindenthal and architect Henry Hornbostel. Comprising of seventy-five thousand tons of steel, the project cost $18 million and was at one previous point the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Manhattan Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is no exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East River. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the most active bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, together with hundreds of cycle riders and pedestrians. When it opened in 1903 it announced 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 George Washington bridge sees over 52 million vehicles cross its span each year. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss architect, 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/.
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