The Triborough Bridge

Only 2,021 more to go...



View of the pedestrian path on the East River section crossing from Astoria Queens to Randall's Island.

Spans Manhattan-Bronx-Queens, crossing Hell Gate (East River), The Harlem River, and the Bronx Kill.
The Triborough Bridge is a complex of three bridges connecting the three New York City boroughs of the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. The bridge uses what were originally two separate islands, Ward's Island and Randall's Island to support the center of the span.

The Robert Moses Building is the headquarters of M.T.A. Bridges and Tunnels, the successor to the old Triborough Bridge Authority. Robert Moses, the ultimate modern urban planner, kept his office at the center of his empire - on Randall's Island at the base of his biggest moneymaking bridge. Both the building and his office have been renovated over the years and no longer reflect the omnipotence of Moses at his peak.



The Triborough does have a pedestrian path. It is mostly used by bicyclists who are legally required to dismount as they cross. Very few do so - until they run into one of the three staircases on the span. BEWARE.

For those of you who have never crossed the Triboro by bike or foot, it can be very confusing. The DOT provides this map, but I get confused all the time, so here's a simple explanation.



There is no direct route for cyclists and pedestrians from Queens to Manhattan or the Bronx. Instead of following the traffic, the path drops you on Randall's Island from all directions.
You need to cross the island and find the correct span for the borough you are going to, making the bridge a two-step process.

I haven't actually taken the Manhattan entrance this year, so I can't vouch for it, but if the ramps are open, they're at 124/126th and Second Avenue. If not, the stairs are at 124/126th and First Avenue.
Alternately, there's the Ward's Island Bridge at 103rd Street and the FDR, which is for bicyclists and pedestrians only. Ward's Island connects to Randall's Island.

The Queens entrance is the stairs at 27th and Hoyt.

The Bronx entrance is the ramp structure at 133rd and Cypress.



Here's a question that I never thought I'd ask, but in the context of this blog is sort of important. Is this one bridge or five?

Construction started: October 25, 1929
Opened to traffic: July 11, 1936
Total length of approaches (Manhattan-Queens-Bronx): 13,820 feet
Cost of original structure: $60,300,000

EAST RIVER SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Length of main span: 1,380 feet
Length of each side span: 700 feet
Length, anchorage to anchorage: 2,780 feet
Height of towers above mean high water: 315 feet
Clearance at center above mean high water: 143 feet

HARLEM RIVER LIFT BRIDGE

Length of main lift-truss span: 310 feet
Length of each side truss span: 230 feet
Length, anchorage to anchorage: 770 feet
Height of towers: 210 feet
Clearance of lift span above mean high water: 55 feet
Clearance of lift span in raised position: 135 feet

BRONX KILLS CROSSING

Length of main truss span: 383 feet
Length of approach truss span: 1,217 feet
Length, anchorage to anchorage: 1,600 feet
Clearance of truss span above mean high water: 55 feet

WARD'S ISLAND VIADUCT

Structural steel used: 29,500 tons
Reinforcing steel used: 5,500 tons

RANDALL'S ISLAND INTERCHANGE

Reinforcing steel used: 9,500 tons
Concrete used in roadway and piers: 111,200 cubic yards

Bridge Statistics from nycroads.com


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The Verrazano - Narrows Bridge

Only 2,022 more to go...



Spans - Brooklyn-Staten Island, The Narrows, New York Harbor.

According to the MTA, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the world's longest suspension span when it opened in 1964.

"Its monumental 693 foot high towers are 1 5/8 inches farther apart at their tops than at their bases because the 4,260 foot distance between them made it necessary to compensate for the earth's curvature. Each tower weighs 27,000 tons and is held together with three million rivets and one million bolts. Seasonal contractions and expansions of the steel cables cause the double-decked roadway to be 12 feet lower in the summer than in the winter." (MTA website)




The Bridge at dawn as seen from the approach to New York Harbor

The bridge was designed by Othmar Ammann, who had also designed many of the most beautiful and iconic bridges in New York City, including the George Washington Bridge, the Bayonne Bridge, the Bronx Whitestone Bridge, the Triborough Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and the lovely, Hell Gate Bridge (AKA, The New York Connecting Railroad Bridge).
The dramatic silhouette of the span may be best known as the starting point for the annual NYC Marathon, but it is also featured in many films set in NYC. My personal favorite is from Saturday Night Fever when Tony Manero (John Travolta) and his Bay Ridge friends all get wasted and climb all over the cables.



View from the 69th Street Pier, looking South to the mouth of the harbor.



Crossing the span during the 2007, NYC 5Boro Bicycle Tour, one of the few opportunities for non-motorists to cross the bridge which has no provisions for pedestrians or bicyclists.

Type of bridge: Suspension
Construction started: August 13, 1959
Opened to traffic (upper deck): November 21, 1964
Opened to traffic (lower deck): June 28, 1969
Length of main span: 4,260 feet
Length of each side span: 1,215 feet
Length, anchorage to anchorage: 6,690 feet
Total length of bridge and approaches: 13,700 feet
Width of bridge: 103 feet
Number of decks: 2 decks
Number of traffic lanes: 12 lanes (6 upper, 6 lower)
Height of towers above mean high water: 693 feet
Clearance at center above mean high water: 228 feet
Deepest foundation below mean high water: 170 feet
Cost of original structure: $320,126,000

Bridge statistics from nycroads.com


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The Macombs Dam Bridge

Only 2,023 more to go...



Spans - Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River.

The bridge and adjoining park were named for the Macomb family who operated a dam and mill on the site.
As use of the Harlem River increased in the 1830's, the dam, which blocked all but the smallest of boats became a local bone of contention. In 1838, a group of local citizens rammed the dam with a coal barge and destroyed it by chopping through it with axes.
In the course of the following lawsuit and court case, the dam was found to be "a public nuisance..." built "without authority of law...the Legislature did not authorize the obstruction of the navigation of the river in the manner in which it was done by the dam in question."



After the Brooklyn and Washington Bridges, Macomb's Dam Bridge is the third oldest major bridge in New York City. It was designated a city landmark in 1992.
At the time of its construction, its massive steel central swing span was considered to be the world's heaviest movable mass.

Type of bridge: Moveable - Swing
Construction started: April 1, 1892
Opened to traffic: May 1, 1895
Length of main span: 412 feet
Length of two channels: 150 feet
Total length of bridge and approaches: 2,540 feet
Width of bridge: 60 feet
Width of roadway: 40 feet
Number of traffic lanes: 4 lanes
Clearance at center above mean high water: 28 feet
Foundation type: Caisson
Cost of original structure: $1,800,000


Bridge statistics from nycroads.com



The bridge is a handy way to access Yankee Stadium and can get fairly crowded before or after a home game in the Bronx.


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The Broadway Bridge

Only 2,024 more to go...



Spans - Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
View of the Harlem River from the Broadway Bridge.
This is more accurately the Harlem River Ship Channel as it is a man-made canal that was constructed in 1895.
The MTA, Marble Hill Station is in the foreground on the North side of the channel, the Circle Line is passing to the South, and the Henry Hudson Bridge is visible in the distance to the West.
Marble Hill is a truly strange example of NYC redistricting. The Harlem river originally passed to the North of the community, making it part of the island of Manhattan. When the channel was dug to facilitate the passing of larger ships, the area was cut off from the island, and the old river route filled in.
Marble Hill is still legally part of the borough of Manhattan.



View of the actual bridge crossing.
The subway runs on the upper level.

Type of bridge: Moveable - Vertical lift
Construction started: April 1, 1959
Opened to rail traffic: December 26, 1960
Opened to vehicular traffic: July 1, 1962
Length of main span: 304 feet
Total length of bridge and approaches: 557 feet
Number of traffic lanes: 6 lanes
Number of subway tracks: 3 tracks
Clearance over mean high water (closed position): 25 feet
Clearance over mean high water (open position): 136 feet
Steel used in structure: 2,500 tons
Cost of original structure: $13,400,000

Bridge statistics from nycroads.com


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Roosevelt Island Bridge

2,025 to go...
View of the Queensboro Bridge from the span of the Roosevelt Island Bridge



Spans - East River East Channel from Queens to Roosevelt Island
The bridge is the only motor vehicle connection to the island.
Other access is provided by a tramway from Manhattan and Subway service.

Type of bridge:Vertical lift
Construction started:March 17, 1952
Opened to traffic:May 18, 1955
Length of main lift span:418 feet
Total length of bridge and viaduct approaches:2,877 feet
Width of bridge:40 feet
Number of traffic lanes:2 lanes
Clearance over mean high water (closed position):40 feet
Clearance over mean high water (open position):100 feet
Height of towers:170 feet
Cost of original structure:$6,500,000

Statistics from nycroads.com




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The Brooklyn Bridge

2,026 to go...


No other bridge could be Number 1 on the list.

Span - Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River

The Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York City’s most celebrated architectural wonders and arguably the most influential bridge in American history, was completed in 1883. Designed by John Augustus Roebling and completed by his son Washington Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was, at the time of its completion, the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1595.5 feet.
It received landmark status in 1964 and is the oldest bridge that is open to passengers or vehicles.
The Brooklyn Bridge had 137,563 vehicle crossings on an average weekday in 2004.

Quoted from: Transportation Alternatives, The DOT, and
the Wikipedia entry for The Brooklyn Bridge

Pedestrian and Bicycle access to the Brooklyn Bridge -

Access to the bridge has improved markedly over the last few years.
The city recently added much needed signs and lighting to the Cadman Plaza Stairway entrance that is heavily used by tourists and pedestrians.
Last year, they added a two-way protected bike lane on Tillary Street to facilitate access to the bridge from the Downtown and Heights neighborhoods.
The Adams Street bike path is still basically unusable due to the fact that the Marriott allows livery cab drivers to park all along the length in front of the hotel.

The Manhattan entrance is easy to find, but hard to legally ride to on a bicycle. The safest thing to do is dismount and walk from the corner of Centre and Chambers Streets to the pedestrian entrance, due to traffic and crowds, but very few cyclists do this.

The pathway across the bridge is separated into two distinct lanes; the southern lane is for pedestrians, the northern lane for cyclists. These are clearly marked with icons, but are largely ignored by tourists who don't know any better.

Manhattan entrance: Park Row and Centre Street, across from City Hall Park.
Brooklyn entrance: Stairs under the overpass at Cadman Plaza East and Prospect Streets, or ramp to Tillary and Adams Streets.



Cyclists at dawn crossing the Brooklyn Bridge during the 2007 NYC Century



Sunrise over the Manhattan Bridge from the pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge



Type of bridge:Suspension
Construction started:January 3, 1870
Opened to traffic:May 24, 1883
Length of main span:1,595 feet, 6 inches
Length of side spans:930 feet
Length, anchorage to anchorage:3,455 feet, 6 inches
Total length of bridge and approaches:6,016 feet
Width of bridge:85 feet
Number of traffic lanes:6 lanes
Number of cables:4 cables
Height of towers above mean high water:276 feet, 6 inches
Clearance at center above mean high water:135 feet
Length of each of four cables:3,578 feet, 6 inches
Diameter of each cable:15¾ inches
Number of wires in each cable:5,434 wires
Total length of wires:14,060 miles
Total masonry in towers:85,159 cubic yards
Weight of suspended structure:6,620 tons
Total weight of bridge:14,680 tons
Cost of original structure:$15,100,000

Bridge facts from NYCRoads.com


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The Whole List

By my count, this list is short about 1,971 crossings.

Any help in figuring out what those might be would be greatly appreciated.

BRIDGES
145th Street Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
East 174th Street Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
East 153rd Street, Manhattan
Bayonne Bridge,
Borden Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Broadway Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge,
Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River
Carroll Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
City Island Bridge, Bronx, Pelham Bay Narrows
Cropsey Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge,
Eastchester Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Eastern Boulevard Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
Flushing Bridge, Queens, Flushing Channel
Fresh Kills Bridge, Staten Island, Richmond Creek
George Washington Bridge,
Goethals Bridge,
Grand Street Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Hamilton Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Henry Hudson Bridge,
Hook Creek Bridge, Queens, Hook Creek
Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Hunters Point Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Kosciuszko Bridge,
Little Neck Bridge, Queens, Alley Creek
Macombs Dam Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Madison Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge,
Metropolitan Avenue, Bridge, Brooklyn English Kills
Midtown Highway Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Mill Basin Bridge, Brooklyn, Mill Basin
Ninth Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Outerbridge Crossing.
Pelham Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Pulaski Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan-Queens, East River
Rikers Island Bridge, Queens, Rikers Island Channel
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge, Queens, Flushing River
Roosevelt Island Bridge, Queens, East River East Channel
Stillwell Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Third Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Third Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Fifth Street Basin
Third Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Throgs Neck Bridge,
Triborough Bridge,
Union Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Unionport Bridge, Bronx, Westchester Creek
University Heights Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Washington Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Westchester Avenue Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Willis Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River



TUNNELS
Holland Tunnel,
Lincoln Tunnel,
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel,
Queens Midtown Tunnel,

VIADUCTS & OVERPASSES
127th Street Viaduct

List By Borough

This list is incomplete.
If you have any bridges to add, please do so in the comments of The Whole List

Inter – Borough

Manhattan
145th Street Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Broadway Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River
George Washington Bridge, Manhattan-New Jersey, Hudson River
Henry Hudson Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Macombs Dam Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Madison Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan-Queens, East River
Roosevelt Island Bridge, Queens-Roosevelt Island, East River East Channel
Third Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Triborough Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx-Queens, Hell Gate (East River), Harlem River, Bronx Kill
University Heights Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Washington Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Willis Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River

Holland Tunnel, Manhattan-New Jersey, Hudson River
Lincoln Tunnel, , Manhattan-New Jersey, Hudson River
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Queens Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan-Queens, East River


Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River
Grand Street Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Kosciuszko Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Rockaway Inlet, Jamaica Bay
Pulaski Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn-Staten Island, The Narrows, New York Harbor
Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River

Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River

Queens
Bronx Whitestone Bridge, Bronx-Queens, East River
Grand Street Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Hook Creek Bridge, Queens-Nassau, Hook Creek
Kosciuszko Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Rockaway Inlet, Jamaica Bay
Pulaski Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan-Queens, East River
Rikers Island Bridge, Queens-Bronx, Rikers Island Channel, East River
Roosevelt Island Bridge, Queens-Roosevelt Island, East River East Channel
Throgs Neck Bridge, Queens-Bronx, East River
Triborough Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx-Queens, Hell Gate (East River), Harlem River, Bronx Kill

Queens Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan-Queens, East River

Bronx
145th Street Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Broadway Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Bronx Whitestone Bridge, Bronx-Queens, East River
Henry Hudson Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Macombs Dam Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Madison Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Rikers Island Bridge, Queens-Bronx, Rikers Island Channel, East River
Third Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Throgs Neck Bridge, Queens-Bronx, East River
Triborough Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx-Queens, Hell Gate (East River), Harlem River, Bronx Kill
University Heights Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Washington Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Willis Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River

Staten Island
Bayonne Bridge, Staten Island-New Jersey
Goethals Bridge, Staten Island-New Jersey, Arthur Kill
Outerbridge Crossing, Staten Island-New Jersey, Arthur Kill
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn-Staten Island, The Narrows, New York Harbor


Intra – Borough

Manhattan
East 153rd Street, Manhattan (Overpass?)
127th Street Viaduct, Manhattan

Brooklyn
Carroll Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Cropsey Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Hamilton Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn English Kills
Mill Basin Bridge, Brooklyn, Mill Basin
Ninth Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Stillwell Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Third Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Fifth Street Basin
Third Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Union Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal

Queens
Borden Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Queens-Rockaway Peninsula, Broad Channel, Jamaica Bay
Flushing Bridge, Queens, Flushing Channel
Hunters Point Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Little Neck Bridge, Queens, Alley Creek
Midtown Highway Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills (Viaduct?)
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge, Queens, Flushing River


Bronx
East 174th Street Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
City Island Bridge, Bronx, Pelham Bay Narrows
Eastchester Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Eastern Boulevard Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Pelham Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Unionport Bridge, Bronx, Westchester Creek
Westchester Avenue Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River


Staten Island
Fresh Kills Bridge, Staten Island, Richmond Creek

Done List

Done sounds so final.
I love the bridges of NYC which is why I started doing this to begin with, so some of these I'll revisit over and over again.

BRIDGES

Broadway Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Carroll Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, NY-Fort Lee, NJ, The Hudson River
Grand Street Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Hamilton Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Macombs Dam Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Rockaway Inlet
Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan-Queens, East River
Roosevelt Island Bridge, Queens, East River East Channel
Triborough Bridge,Manhattan-Bronx-Queens, crossing Hell Gate (East River), The Harlem River, and the Bronx Kill.
Union Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
University Heights Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn-Staten Island, The Narrows, New York Harbor
Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan-Brooklyn, East River

To Do List

I'm missing tons of crossings from the list.
If you can think of any, please add them to the comments of The Whole List

BRIDGES
145th Street Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
East 174th Street Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
East 153rd Street, Manhattan
Bayonne Bridge,
Borden Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge,
City Island Bridge, Bronx, Pelham Bay Narrows
Cropsey Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge,
Eastchester Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Eastern Boulevard Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
Flushing Bridge, Queens, Flushing Channel
Fresh Kills Bridge, Staten Island, Richmond Creek
Goethals Bridge,
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Henry Hudson Bridge,
Hook Creek Bridge, Queens, Hook Creek
Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Hunters Point Avenue Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Kosciuszko Bridge,
Little Neck Bridge, Queens, Alley Creek
Madison Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Metropolitan Avenue, Bridge, Brooklyn English Kills
Midtown Highway Bridge, Queens, Dutch Kills
Mill Basin Bridge, Brooklyn, Mill Basin
Ninth Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Outerbridge Crossing.
Pelham Bridge, Bronx, Eastchester Creek
Pulaski Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens, Newtown Creek
Rikers Island Bridge, Queens, Rikers Island Channel
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge, Queens, Flushing River
Stillwell Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Coney Island Creek
Third Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Third Avenue Bridge, Brooklyn, Fifth Street Basin
Third Street Bridge, Brooklyn, Gowanus Canal
Throgs Neck Bridge,
Unionport Bridge, Bronx, Westchester Creek
Washington Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River
Westchester Avenue Bridge, Bronx, Bronx River
Willis Avenue Bridge, Manhattan-Bronx, Harlem River



TUNNELS
Holland Tunnel,
Lincoln Tunnel,
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel,
Queens Midtown Tunnel,

VIADUCTS & OVERPASSES
127th Street Viaduct

Types of Bridges

According to most information out there on the internet, the majority of people group bridges into six main types:

Beam bridges - a rigid, horizontal structure that rests on two end supports. Beam bridges are the most basic of bridge design – like a log over a creek.

Cantilever bridges - a bridge built using cantilevers: structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end.
A simple cantilever span is formed by two arms that extend from opposite sides of the obstacle to be crossed and meet at the center.
The Queensboro Bridge is an example of a cantilever bridge.

Arch bridges - a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch.
The Hell Gate Bridge is an example of an arch bridge.

Suspension bridges - Suspended from two high locations over a river or canyon, simple suspension bridges follow a shallow downward arc. Advances led to the development of the suspended-deck suspension bridge, a modern bridge capable of carrying vehicles and light rail. Instead of the deck following the downward arc of the main load-bearing cables (or chains), these cables are suspended between towers, and vertical suspender cables carry the weight of the deck below, upon which traffic crosses.
The Brooklyn Bridge is an example of a suspension bridge.

Cable-Stayed bridges - a bridge that consists of one or more columns (normally referred to as towers or pylons), with cables supporting the bridge deck. The cable-stay design is the optimum bridge for a span length between that of cantilever bridges and suspension bridges.
The East 153rd Street Bridge is an example of a cable-stayed bridge.

Truss bridges - a bridge composed of connected elements (typically straight) which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. This type of bridge structure has a fairly simple design and is particularly cheap to construct owing to its efficient use of materials. The truss may carry its roadbed on top, in the middle, or at the bottom of the truss.
The Kosciuszco Bridge is an example of a truss bridge.

Subgroups of these include:
Aqueduct, Causeway, Clapper, Compression Arch Suspended Deck,
Girder, Pontoon, Segmental, Side Spar, Trestle, Tubular, and Viaduct.

Moveable bridges are seen as a separate engineering idea, and include:
Drawbridge - the bridge deck is hinged on one end
Bascule bridge - a drawbridge hinged on pins with a counterweight to facilitate raising
Folding bridge - a drawbridge with multiple sections that collapse together horizontally
Curling bridge - a drawbridge with multiple sections that curl vertically
Lift bridge - the bridge deck is lifted up by counterweighted cables mounted on towers
Table bridge - a lift bridge with the lifting mechanism mounted underneath it
Retractable bridge (Thrust bridge) - the bridge deck is retracted to one side
Rolling bascule bridge - an unhinged drawbridge which is lifted by the rolling of a large gear segment along a horizontal rack
Submersible bridge - the bridge deck is lowered down into the water
Tilt bridge - the bridge deck, which is curved, is lifted up at an angle
Swing bridge - the bridge deck rotates around a fixed point, usually at the center, but may resemble a gate in its operation
Transporter bridge - a structure high above carries a suspended, ferry-like structure
Jetway - a passenger bridge to an airplane

Most information taken from Wikipedia "Bridge" Entry
For a graphic layout of basic bridge types go to pghbridges.com

Frequently Asked Questions

NYC Bridge Information from the DOT

Q: How many bridges are there in New York City? How many are under the jurisdiction of DOT?
A: There are 2,027 bridges in New York City. DOT's Division of Bridges is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the 787 bridges (including 6 tunnels) and 67 culverts presently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.

Q: Who other than DOT operates bridges and tunnels in New York City?
A:MTA Bridges and Tunnels (formerly known as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) operates the following structures: Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Throgs Neck Bridge, Triborough Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The MetroNorth Railroad and the Long Island Railroad, both subsidiaries of the MTA, operate bridges and tunnels on their rail lines.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the following bridges and tunnels: Bayonne Bridge, George Washington Bridge, Goethals Bridge, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, Outerbridge Crossing.

Q: Which bridge carries the largest amount of daily traffic?
A: The Queensboro Bridge. On an average weekday in 2004, some 180,369 vehicles crossed this celebrated cantilevered bridge between 59th Street in Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens. The Brooklyn Bridge had 137,563 vehicle crossings, the Williamsburg Bridge had 110,528 and the Manhattan Bridge had 79,129.

Q: How many New York City bridges are classified as historic landmarks?
A: As of January 1, 1998, ten bridges in New York City had been awarded some degree of landmark status. They include seven that are under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Transportation: the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queensboro, Washington, University Heights, Carroll Street and Macombs Dam Bridges. The three landmarked bridges not operated by DOT are the George Washington Bridge (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), Highbridge (NYC Department of Environmental Protection), and Hell Gate Bridge (Amtrak).

Q: What was the first bridge built in New York City? What is the oldest bridge still standing in New York City?
A: New York City’s first bridge, known as the King’s Bridge, was constructed in 1693. Fitted with stone abutments and a timber deck, it spanned Spuyten Duyvil Creek between Manhattan and the Bronx. It was demolished in 1917. The oldest bridge still standing in New York City is Highbridge, which spans the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx; it was built in 1843. Highbridge is an aqueduct that carries a water main; it is not accessible to passengers or vehicles. The oldest bridge that is open to passengers or vehicles is the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883.

Q: When were the East River Bridges built? Which of the East River Bridges is the longest?
A: The four major bridges over the East River were constructed within four decades, from the start of construction on the Brooklyn Bridge in January 1870 to completion of the Manhattan Bridge in December 1909. The Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York City’s most celebrated architectural wonders and arguably the most influential bridge in American history, was completed in 1883. Designed by John Augustus Roebling and completed by his son Washington Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was, at the time of its completion, the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1595.5 feet. The Williamsburg Bridge, with its 35-story steel towers, is the largest of the three suspension bridges that span the East River. When it was completed in 1903, it became the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span that is 1,600 feet long.
The two-decked Queensboro Bridge is one of the greatest cantilever bridges in the history of American bridge design. It was completed in March 1909. The last of the great bridges constructed across the East River, the Manhattan Bridge, opened on traffic on December 31, 1909.

Q: How many movable bridges does New York City operate?
A: There are 25 movable bridges in New York City, including two retractile bridges, seven swing bridges, four lift bridges, and twelve bascule (drawbridge) bridges.

Q: How many bridges connect Manhattan to other Boroughs or States?
A: There are 21 major bridges that connect to the island of Manhattan.

Manhattan Only - In order from West to East
(The Hudson to the Harlem to the East Rivers) and North to South.

George Washington Bridge
Spuyten Duyvil Rail Bridge
Henry Hudson Bridge
Broadway Bridge
University Heights Bridge
Washington Bridge
Alexander Hamilton Bridge
Highbridge
Macombs Dam Bridge
145th Street Bridge
Madison Avenue Bridge
Park Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Willis Avenue Bridge
Triborough Bridge
Wards Island Pedestrian Bridge
Roosevelt Island Bridge
Queensboro Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge


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