When traveling between New York City's five neighborhoods (called boroughs), traveling across the water at some particular point is unavoidable. That is the reason why New York City has a considerable number of widely known and historic bridges that connect NYC's boroughs.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is likely the most famous of all the NY bridges and connects the borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn. When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. At 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a certified historic monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, even though he wretchedly didn't live to see it built. Roebling's son took control of the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active bridges in N. Y is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross each year, together with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collusion 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 is no exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East Stream. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street cars 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 New York Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year together 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 beating 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 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 cars cross its span annually. An engineer named 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 famous of all the NY bridges and connects the borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn. When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. At 1,597 feet, and is currently listed as a certified historic monument. The bridge was designed by German engineer John Roebling in the late 1860s, even though he wretchedly didn't live to see it built. Roebling's son took control of the project after his father.
Queensboro Bridge
One of most active bridges in N. Y is the Queensboro bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. This five-span cantilever bridge sees around 180,000 motorists cross each year, together with thousands of pedestrians and cyclists. Built between 1901 and 1909, it was a collusion 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 is no exception. Opened in 1909, it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and spans 1,470 feet across the East Stream. Costing $31 million, the bridge was initially designed for trains and streetcars, but auto lanes replaced the street cars 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 New York Public Library.
Williamsburg Bridge
Also spanning between Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in New York. Over 140,000 motorists use the bridge each year together 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 beating 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 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 cars cross its span annually. An engineer named 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 fascinated by New York bridges for a few years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more in-depth info, come and visit his site athttp://www.landmarksinnewyork.com/landmarks/.
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