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When traveling between NYC's unique neighborhoods (known as boroughs), going across water at some particular point will be inescapable. That's why the city has a number of widely known historic bridges that connect the boroughs of New York City.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the best known of the Manhattan bridges and connects the borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn. 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 listed today as a historic monument. It was German engineer John Roebling who designed the bridge in the late 1860s, although he unhappily was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, also an engineer, took control of the project to continue his father's legacy.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active 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, with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collusion 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 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 Brook. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles in 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 probably one of the most busy bridges in N. Y. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, combined with hundreds of bike riders and walkers. When it opened in 1903 it announced 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 George Washington opened in 1931 the bridge was twice the length as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the Washington bridge sees over 52 million cars cross its span annually. An engineer named 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 best known of the Manhattan bridges and connects the borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn. 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 listed today as a historic monument. It was German engineer John Roebling who designed the bridge in the late 1860s, although he unhappily was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, also an engineer, took control of the project to continue his father's legacy.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active 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, with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collusion 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 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 Brook. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street vehicles in 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 probably one of the most busy bridges in N. Y. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge yearly, combined with hundreds of bike riders and walkers. When it opened in 1903 it announced 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 George Washington opened in 1931 the bridge was twice the length as any other suspension bridge of the time at 4,760 feet. Today the Washington bridge sees over 52 million cars cross its span annually. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for an acceptable design.
About the Author:
Shawn Pratten has been interested in New York bridges for a number of years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information, come visit his site athttp://www.landmarksinnewyork.com/landmarks/.