When visiting between New York City's unique neighborhoods (called boroughs), making your way under or over water at some particular point is going to be inevitable. That is the reason why the city has a bunch of widely known historic bridges that connect NYC's boroughs.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most widely known of all the NY bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When it 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 the later 1860s, though he unhappily was not able to survive to see it completed. Roebling's son usurped the building of the Brooklyn bridge in his father's place.
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 every year, with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it's 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 time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most New York Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is not 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 specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street automobiles 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 among the most busy bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge annually, along with tons of cyclists and foot traffic. When it opened in 1903 it claimed 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 Manhattan 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 autos cross its span annually. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss deigner and 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 all the NY bridges and connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When it 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 the later 1860s, though he unhappily was not able to survive to see it completed. Roebling's son usurped the building of the Brooklyn bridge in his father's place.
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 every year, with thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it's 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 time the longest cantilever bridge in the U.S.
Manhattan Bridge
Most New York Bridges are suspension bridges and the Manhattan bridge is not 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 specifically for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street automobiles 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 among the most busy bridges in NY. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge annually, along with tons of cyclists and foot traffic. When it opened in 1903 it claimed 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 Manhattan 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 autos cross its span annually. It was Othmar Ammann, a Swiss deigner and architect, who designed the bridge after a century-long search for a suitable 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/.