Bridges of New York

In 2007 we visited the Statue of Liberty with 2 of our grandsons. The statue is on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor. It offers a grand view of Manhattan and two of the important bridges of New York. In all there are 8 bridges and 3 tunnels for motor vehicles that cross these two rivers in the city. In addition there are subways and ferries providing transportation.

The Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 1857 the New York legislature began consideration of a bill to build such a bridge. The bill passed in 1866 and John Augustus Roebling and Wilhelm Hildenbrand were hired to design the bridge. Work began in 1870 and was opened to traffic on May 24, 1883. Toll for pedestrians was 1 cent on opening day and then 3 cents; vehicles were a nickle. Today there are no tolls. Total length is 6016 feet with a main span of 1595 feet. For a comprehensive history of the bridge see Brooklyn Bridge Facts, History and Information. The towers of the Manhattan Bridge can also be seen beyond the Brooklyn Bridge. For another shot of the Brooklyn Bridge see Mary the Teach's post.

The (link) Verrazano-Narrows Bridge spans the mouth of the upper New York bay. It connects the New York city boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. It was named for explorer Giovanni da Verrazano, the first European to sail into New York Harbor. The bridge was completed in 1964 and at that time was the longest suspension bridge in the world with a main span of 4,260 feet. The towers are 693 feet high. For more of this trip see My world Tuesday on the April 7.