When traveling between New York City's unique neighborhoods (known as boroughs), making your way across water at some point is going to be inescapable. That is the reason why the city has a bunch of well known historic bridges that connect NYC's boroughs.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most widely known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn to Manhattan. When it opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is now listed as a certified historic monument. The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, although he sadly didn't live long enough to see it completed. Roebling's son took over the project to continue his father's legacy.
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 cycle riders. Built between 1901 and 1909, it's 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 one time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Big Apple 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 initially designed 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is among the most active bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year combined with loads 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 beating out the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Manhattan to New Jersey across the Hudson River. When it was opened in 1931 the bridge was twice the length as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the bridge sees over 52 million autos cross its span every year. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for a suitable design.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most widely known of the New York bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn to Manhattan. When it opened in 1883, it was actually the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was 1,597 feet, and is now listed as a certified historic monument. The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, although he sadly didn't live long enough to see it completed. Roebling's son took over the project to continue his father's legacy.
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 cycle riders. Built between 1901 and 1909, it's 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 one time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most Big Apple 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 initially designed 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is among the most active bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year combined with loads 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 beating out the Brooklyn Bridge. Like the Queensboro Bridge, Williamsburg was designed by Lindenthal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Manhattan to New Jersey across the Hudson River. When it was opened in 1931 the bridge was twice the length as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the bridge sees over 52 million autos cross its span every year. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for a suitable 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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