Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City. It goes between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The bridge opened on December 19, 1903. It is free to cross.
Williamsburg Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 40°42′47″N 73°58′12″W / 40.713°N 73.97°W |
| Carries | 8 lanes of roadway, 2 tracks of the New York City Subway, pedestrians, and bicycles |
| Crosses | East River |
| Locale | Manhattan and Brooklyn, in New York City |
| Maintained by | New York City Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge and truss causeways |
| Total length | 7,308 feet (2,227 m) |
| Width | 118 feet (36 m) |
| Longest span | 1,600 feet (490 m) |
| Clearance above | 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m) (inner roadways only) |
| Clearance below | 135 feet (41 m) at mean high water |
| History | |
| Architect | Henry Hornbostel |
| Designer | Leffert L. Buck |
| Opened | December 19, 1903 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 106,783 (2008)[1] |
| Toll | Free |
| Location | |
 | |
History
changeThe bridge was built starting in 1896. It cost $24,200,000.[2][3] Until 1924, it was the world's longest suspension bridge.
The bridge has been rebuilt since the 1980s. It was closed in 1988 after cracks were found on the bridge.[4] A bicycle lane was also built on the bridge.[5]
In 2003, the bridge turned 100 years old. On June 22, 2003, people held a party on the bridge to celebrate the bridge's age.[6] In 2009, the bridge was made a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.[7]
Train tracks
changeThe bridge carries subway tracks of the BMT Nassau Street Line. In the early 20th century it also had trolley tracks.[8]
References
change- ↑ "New York City Bridge Traffic Volumes 2008" (PDF). New York City Department of Transportation. March 2010. p. 63. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ↑ "Williamsburg Bridge". nycroads.com. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ↑ "New Bridge in a Glory of Fire; Wind-Up of Opening Ceremonies a Brilliant Scene". The New York Times. December 20, 1903. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ↑ Lyall, Sarah (April 13, 1988). "The Williamsburg Bridge Is Shut For 2 Weeks as Cracks Are Found". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ↑ "Williamsburg Bridge, New York, NY". Bikes Belong. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ↑ Mitchell, Ellen (June 19, 2003). "A 100-Year Span Gets Its Big Moment". Newsday.
- ↑ "Williamsburg Bridge". ASCE Metropolitan Section. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ↑ Brennan, Joseph. "Williamsburg Bridge Railway Terminal". Retrieved 2010-02-27.
Other websites
change
Media related to Williamsburg Bridge at Wikimedia Commons- Williamsburg Bridge info from NYCDOT
