When traveling between New York's five neighborhoods (called boroughs), traveling over or under the water at some specific point is going to be unavoidable. This is why the city has a bunch of famous historic bridges that connect the boroughs together.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most famous of all 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. At the time it was 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a historical monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the latter 1860s, though he wretchedly was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, took over 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, with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collaboration 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 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 River. 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is probably one of the busiest bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge annually, combined with hundreds of cycle 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 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 autos cross its span annually. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss designer, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for a suitable design.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most famous of all 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. At the time it was 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a historical monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the latter 1860s, though he wretchedly was not able to live long enough to see it fully built. Roebling's son, who also became an engineer, took over 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, with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collaboration 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 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 River. 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 NY Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is probably one of the busiest bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge annually, combined with hundreds of cycle 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 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 autos cross its span annually. An engineer named Othmar Ammann, a Swiss designer, 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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