Williamsburg Bridge

Williamsburg Bridge, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_York._Williamsburg_Bridge.jpg
Author: Tomas Fano


Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge across the East River. It links the Lower East Side in Manhattan with the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Williamsburg Bridge was the second bridge across the East River. It was constructed from 1896 to 1903 at the cost of $12 million. At the time of its completion it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, holding the record until 1924, when the Bear Mountain Bridge was completed.

The Williamsburg Bridge is 7,308 ft (2,227 m) long and 118 ft (36 m) wide. It offers a clearance of 135 ft (41 m) from the water below. The bridge is unusual for a suspension bridge, as its side spans are cantilevered and not supported by the cables above. Along with the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the two suspension bridges in New York City that is still used for both vehicle and rail traffic.

View on the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge rail tracks
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYCSub_JMZ_Williamsburg_1.jpg
Author: Daniel Schwen


By the 1980's, years of deferred maintenance has put the bridge in severe disrepair. It had to be shut down in 1988 when corrosion was discovered on its floor beam. Since then, major reconstruction had taken place, and the 100th anniversary of the bridge was celebrated on 22 June, 2003, with a birthday cake the size of a truck.

The Williamsburg Bridge was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2009. The bridge continues of operate today without charging toll.

Williamsburg Bridge bikeway
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WSTM_Zefferus_0188.jpg
Author: Zefferus

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