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{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
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{{About|the bridge in New York City|the bridge in New Westminster, British Columbia|Queensborough Bridge}}
▲{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Queensboro Bridge
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| engineering = [[Leffert L. Buck]]
| design = Double-decked [[cantilever bridge]]
| mainspan = {{
| number_spans = 5
| length = {{
| width = {{
| height = {{
| clearance_above = {{convert|12|ft|m|1
| clearance_below = {{
| traffic = 160,111 (2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#trafficcounts |title=NYC DOT – Data
| open = {{start date and age|1909|March|30}}
| closed =
| toll = Free
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| coordinates = {{
| extra = {{Infobox NRHP
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The '''Queensboro Bridge''', officially
The Queensboro Bridge carries [[New York State Route 25]] (NY 25), which terminates at the bridge's western end in Manhattan. The bridge has two levels: an upper level with a pair of two-lane roadways, and a lower level with five vehicular lanes and a walkway/bike lane. The western leg of the Queensboro Bridge is flanked on its northern side by the [[Roosevelt Island Tramway]]. The Queensboro Bridge is the northernmost of four toll-free vehicular bridges connecting Manhattan Island to [[Long Island]], along with the [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]], [[Manhattan Bridge|Manhattan]], and [[Brooklyn Bridge|Brooklyn]] bridges to the south. It lies along the courses of the [[New York City Marathon]] and the [[Five Boro Bike Tour]].
Serious proposals for a bridge linking Manhattan to Long Island City were first made as early as 1838, but various 19th-century plans to erect such a bridge, including two proposals by Queens doctor Thomas Rainey, never came to fruition. After the creation of the [[City of Greater New York]] in 1898, plans for a city-operated bridge were finalized in 1901. The bridge opened for public use on March 30, 1909, and was initially used by pedestrians, horse-drawn and motor vehicles, elevated trains, and trolleys. Elevated service ceased in 1942, followed by trolley service in 1957. The upper-level roadways were built in the early 1930s and the late 1950s. Designated as a [[New York City designated landmark|New York City landmark]] in 1973, the bridge was renovated extensively from the late 1970s to the 1990s. The bridge was officially renamed in 2011 in honor of former New York City mayor [[Ed Koch]], and another renovation occurred in the early 2020s.
== Name ==
The Queensboro Bridge was originally named for the borough of [[Queens]] and was the third bridge across the [[East River]] to be named after a [[Boroughs of New York City|New York City borough]], after the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] and the [[Manhattan Bridge]].<ref name="n133320926">{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1980 |title=A Bridge by Any Other Name |pages=277 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-a-bridge-by-any-other-name/133320926/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019200353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-a-bridge-by-any-other-name/133320926/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By the late 20th century, the Queensboro Bridge was also known as the 59th Street Bridge because its Manhattan end is located between [[59th Street (Manhattan)|59th]] and [[60th Street (Manhattan)|60th]] streets. This name caused controversy among Queens residents who felt that the 59th Street Bridge name did not honor the borough of Queens.<ref name="n133320926" /><ref name="n133326018">{{Cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=March 27, 1984 |title=Celebrating Bridge's 75th Year |pages=9 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-celebrating-bridges-75th-year/133326018/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019201906/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-celebrating-bridges-75th-year/133326018/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2010, mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] announced that the bridge would be renamed in honor of former mayor Ed Koch;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bultman |first1=Matthew |last2=Fanelli |first2=James |date=December 9, 2010 |title=Just
== Description ==
The Queensboro Bridge is a two-level double [[cantilever bridge]], with separate cantilevered spans over channels on each side of [[Roosevelt Island]] joined by a fixed central truss.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=HAKS Corporation |title=Project Page:2000 Biennial Bridge Inspection of the Queensboro Bridge over the East River |url=http://www.haks.net/projects.php?id=67 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625231345/http://www.haks.net/projects.php?id=67 |archive-date=June 25, 2008}}</ref> In all, it has five steel truss spans, as well as approach viaducts on either side.<ref name="ER p. 98">{{harvnb|Engineering Record|1913|ps=.|p=98}}</ref> The total length of the five spans, between the anchorages on the Manhattan and Queens sides, are approximately {{
=== Spans ===
The lengths of the steel spans are as follows, from the westernmost span to the easternmost:<ref name="ER p. 98" /><ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p126873067">{{Cite magazine |date=April 1, 1905 |title=The New Blackwell's Island Bridge |magazine=Scientific American |volume=XCII |issue=13 |page=265 |id={{ProQuest|126873067}}}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
* Manhattan anchorage to Manhattan pier: {{convert|469.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}▼
{| class="wikitable"
* Manhattan pier to Roosevelt Island western pier (cantilever above the East River's west channel): {{convert|1182|ft|m|abbr=on}}▼
|+ Spans of the Queensboro Bridge<ref name="ER p. 98" /><ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p126873067"/>
* Roosevelt Island western pier to Roosevelt Island eastern pier: {{convert|630|ft|m|abbr=on}}▼
|-
* Roosevelt Island eastern pier to Queens pier (cantilever above the East River's east channel): {{convert|984|ft|m|abbr=on}}▼
! West end !! East end !! Crosses !! Length
* Queens pier to Queens anchorage: {{convert|459|ft|m|abbr=on}}▼
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The bridge was intended to carry a [[dead load]] of {{convert|32200|lb/ft}}.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /> Each span includes two parallel lines of trusses, one each on the north and south sides of the bridge; the centers of these trusses are spaced {{Convert|60|ft}} apart.<ref name="p126851307">{{Cite magazine |date=March 28, 1908 |title=Joining of Last Span of Blackwell's Island Bridge. |magazine=Scientific American |volume=XCVIII |issue=13 |page=223 |id={{ProQuest|126851307}}}}</ref> The bottom chord of each set of trusses is composed of [[box girder]]s, while the top chord is composed of [[eyebar]]s measuring {{convert|8|to|12|in}} deep.<ref name="p126873067" /> The trusses range in height from {{convert|45|to|118|ft}} between the bottom and top chords; the steel towers atop each pier measure {{convert|185|ft}} tall.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /> Unlike other large bridges, the trusses are not suspended; instead, the spans are directly connected to each other.<ref name="NPS p. 2">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> In addition, there are transverse floor beams, which protrude {{convert|13|ft}} from the trusses on either side of the deck.<ref name="SA p. 101">{{harvnb|Scientific American|1907|ps=.|p=101}}</ref> Atop the bridge's topmost chords were originally galvanized steel ropes, which acted as handrails for bridge painters. Five hand-operated scaffolds were also placed on the bridge.<ref name="ER p. 99">{{harvnb|Engineering Record|1913|ps=.|p=99}}</ref>
The spans are cantilevered from steel towers that rise above four central [[Pier (architecture)|piers]].<ref name="p126851307" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" /> Each cantilevered section measures {{convert|808|to|1061|ft}} long. The two spans above the East River's channels are composed of cantilever arms, which extend outward from the towers on either side of the channel. Each pair of cantilever arms meets at a set of [[Bent (structural)|bents]] above the middle of each channel. The bents allowed the cantilever arms to move horizontally due to temperature changes, and it allowed structural loads to be distributed between the two arms.<ref name="p126851307" /> The bridge uses nickel-steel bars that were intended to be 40 to 50 percent stronger than regular structural-steel bars of the same weight. The beams could withstand loads of up to {{convert|56000|lb}} each, while the nickel-steel eyebars were intended to withstand loads of up to {{Convert|85000|lb}}.<ref name="SA p. 100" /><ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /> The decks themselves were designed to carry as much as {{Convert|16000|lb/ft}}.<ref name="p144906008">{{cite news |date=
The steel spans between the anchorages weigh a total of {{Convert|52000|ST|LT t}}<ref name="SA p. 100" /> and have a maximum grade of 3.41 percent.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p572216360">{{cite news |date=
====Levels====
The upper level is {{Convert|67|ft}} wide.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p572216360" /> The upper level originally contained two pedestrian walkways and two [[elevated railway]] tracks, which connected a spur of the [[IRT Second Avenue Line|IRT Second Avenue elevated line]] in Manhattan to the [[Queensboro Plaza station]] in Queens.<ref name="ER p. 98" /><ref name="open" /> There were also provisions for two additional tracks between the trusses (taking up the space occupied by the walkways), as well as {{Convert|13|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} walkways cantilevered outside the trusses.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p126851307" /> {{As of|2023}}, the upper level has four lanes of automobile traffic, consisting of a pair of two-lane roadways. Although both roadways end at Thomson Avenue in Queens, they diverge in Manhattan. The two northern lanes, normally used by westbound traffic, lead to 62nd and 63rd Streets. The two southern lanes, normally used by eastbound traffic, lead to 57th and 58th Streets.<ref name="NPS p. 3">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> The southern roadway is used as a westbound [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]] during morning rush hours, when all eastbound traffic uses the lower level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOV Lanes |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/carpool.shtml |access-date=December 18, 2017 |website=www.nyc.gov |language=en |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703015414/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/carpool.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>
The lower level is {{Convert|86|ft}} wide<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="p572216360" /> and is divided into three sections: a northern, central, and southern roadway.<ref name="open" /> The center roadway is {{Convert|56|ft}} wide and was originally composed of a {{convert|36|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} general-purpose road in the middle, flanked by a pair of trolley tracks.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /><ref name="SA p. 101" /> The northern and southern lower-level roadways each had one additional trolley track, for a total of four trolley tracks.<ref name="SA p. 101" /><ref name="open" /> The central
==== Piers ====
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==== Manhattan approach ====
The Manhattan approach to the bridge is supported on a series of [[Guastavino tile]] vaults.<ref name="Dunlap 1999">{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |author-link=David W. Dunlap |date=March 7, 1999 |title=Bridgemarket Emerging, After 22 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/07/realestate/bridgemarket-emerging-after-22-years.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112140901/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/07/realestate/bridgemarket-emerging-after-22-years.html |archive-date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The vaults are composed of three layers of tiles, which support themselves and measure {{convert|4|in}} thick in total. A layer of glazing and small lights were installed in 1918.<ref>{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|pp=2–3}}</ref> The space under the Manhattan approach measures {{convert|120|by|270|ft}} across.<ref name="p277896828">{{cite news |last=Sax |first=Irene |date=May 27, 1987 |title=Waiting for Bridgemarket Construction
Originally, the vaults were intended as storage space.<ref name="ER p. 99" /> From the bridge's 1909 opening, the space under the Manhattan approach was used as a food market.<ref name="p277896828" /> The food market was renovated in 1933<ref>{{cite news |date=
There is a massive bronze lamppost at the end of the Manhattan approach, near the intersection of Second Avenue and 59th Street.<ref name="Zimmer 2012 s486" /><ref name="CBS New York 2012 y283" /> Formerly, there was a second lamppost near 60th Street. Both lampposts consisted of thick piers, which were topped by four [[stanchion]]s (each with a globe-shaped lamp) and a larger spherical lamp in the center.<ref name="The New York Times 2001 w416">{{cite web |last=Lippincott |first=E. E. |date=July 8, 2001 |title=Neighborhood Report: Queensboro Bridge – Neighborhood Mystery; A Historic Lamp Is Lost. Fingers Are Pointed Everywhere |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/08/nyregion/neighborhood-report-queensboro-bridge-neighborhood-mystery-historic-lamp-lost.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014709/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/08/nyregion/neighborhood-report-queensboro-bridge-neighborhood-mystery-historic-lamp-lost.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Each lamppost had five tiers of decorations, and the sides of each lamppost were inscribed with the names of four of the city's five boroughs.<ref name="Weaver 2015 h048" /> The lampposts were both removed in 1974 when the [[Roosevelt Island Tramway]] was developed, but the 59th Street lamppost was restored two years later.<ref name="Weaver 2015 h048" /><ref name="Jamerson 2015 y087" /> Parts of the other lamppost were found in a Queens warehouse in 2012<ref name="Zimmer 2012 s486">{{cite web |last=Zimmer |first=Amy |date=April 11, 2012 |title=Base of Historic Queensboro Bridge Lamp Rediscovered After Nearly 40 Years |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120411/upper-east-side/base-of-historic-queensboro-bridge-lamp-rediscovered-after-36-years/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=DNAinfo New York |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321014909/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120411/upper-east-side/base-of-historic-queensboro-bridge-lamp-rediscovered-after-36-years/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CBS New York 2012 y283">{{cite web |date=April 18, 2012 |title=Base Of Missing 59th Street Bridge Lamppost Found In Queens |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/base-of-missing-59th-street-bridge-lamppost-found-in-queens/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=CBS New York |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014709/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/base-of-missing-59th-street-bridge-lamppost-found-in-queens/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and rededicated on Roosevelt Island in 2015.<ref name="Weaver 2015 h048">{{cite web |last=Weaver |first=Shaye |title=Historic Queensboro Bridge Lamppost Base on Display After Years in Storage |website=DNAinfo New York |date=June 24, 2015 |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150624/roosevelt-island/historic-queensboro-bridge-lamppost-base-on-display-after-years-storage/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119210922/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150624/roosevelt-island/historic-queensboro-bridge-lamppost-base-on-display-after-years-storage/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Jamerson 2015 y087">{{cite web |last=Jamerson |first=Joshua |title=The Mystery of a Long-Missing Relic Is Solved and Returned to the Public |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 23, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/23/nyregion/the-mystery-of-a-long-missing-relic-is-solved-and-returned-to-the-public.html |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119210921/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/23/nyregion/the-mystery-of-a-long-missing-relic-is-solved-and-returned-to-the-public.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
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Bridgemarket north side jeh.jpg|Bridgemarket on Manhattan side
</gallery>
=== Use during races ===
The Queensboro Bridge has been part of the [[New York City Marathon]] course since [[1976 New York City Marathon|1976]], when the marathon course traversed all five boroughs for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Amdur |first=Neil |date=October 25, 1976 |title=New York's First Citywide Marathon Draws Some of World's Top Runners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/25/archives/new-yorks-first-citywide-marathon-draws-some-of-worlds-top-runners.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014711/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/25/archives/new-yorks-first-citywide-marathon-draws-some-of-worlds-top-runners.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rodale, Inc. p. 77">{{cite magazine |last=Monti |first=David |date=Oct 2008 |title=Sublime Climbs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wMgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA77 |magazine=Runner's World |publisher=Rodale, Inc. |page=77 |issn=0897-1706 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014709/https://books.google.com/books?id=wMgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA77 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the marathon, which happens every November, runners cross the Queensboro Bridge westbound toward Manhattan, then pass under the bridge at First Avenue.<ref name="Society Society 2008 p. 121">{{Harvnb|ps=.|Greater Astoria Historical Society|Roosevelt Island Historical Society|2008|page=121}}</ref> The bridge is approximately {{convert|15|mi}} from the beginning of the course on the [[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge]]. The deck of the bridge was initially covered with carpeting for the 1976 marathon; the carpeting was not used after [[1977 New York City Marathon|1977]], when the bridge was repaved.<ref name="Rodale, Inc. p. 77" /> The bridge is also part of the course of the [[Five Boro Bike Tour]], which occurs every April; contestants traverse the bridge eastbound toward Queens.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hucCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78 |title=April |date=October 4, 1982 |magazine=New York Magazine |publisher=New York Media, LLC |page=78 |language=en |issn=0028-7369 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014709/https://books.google.com/books?id=hucCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2022}}, the Five Boro Bike Tour uses the northern upper-level roadway.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bocanegra |first=Michelle |title=Five Boro Bike Tour
== Development<span class="anchor" id="History"></span> ==
=== Planning ===
Prior to the construction of the Queensboro Bridge, two ferries connected modern-day Manhattan and Queens, neither of which were near the modern-day bridge. One such ferry connected Borden Avenue in [[Hunters Point, Queens]], to [[34th Street (Manhattan)|34th Street]] in [[Kips Bay, Manhattan]], while the other ferry connected [[Astoria Boulevard]] in [[Astoria, Queens]], with 92nd Street on Manhattan's [[Upper East Side]].<ref name="n133321693">{{Cite news |last=Dallas |first=Gus |date=September 27, 1981 |title=Bridge Spans Time, Sentiment |pages=254 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-spans-time-sentiment/133321693/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019200353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-spans-time-sentiment/133321693/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Benjamin Henry Latrobe]] first proposed a masonry bridge between Manhattan and Queens in 1804.<ref name="STRUCTURE magazine 2015 d973">{{cite web |last=Griggs |first=Frank Jr |date=October 11, 2015 |title=Queensboro Cantilever Bridge |url=https://www.structuremag.org/?p=9206 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Structure |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014710/https://www.structuremag.org/?p=9206 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Family Magazine'' published an article in 1833, suggesting a bridge between Manhattan and Queens over Roosevelt Island (which then was known as Blackwell's Island).<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1903 |title=An Old Plan for a Bridge at Blackwell's Island |pages=20 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-an-old-plan-for-a-bri/134960673/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202608/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-an-old-plan-for-a-bri/134960673/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An architect named R. Graves proposed a three-span [[suspension bridge]] linking Manhattan to [[Long Island City]]. Queens, in the late 1830s.<ref name="Society Society 2008 p. 13">{{Harvnb|ps=.|Greater Astoria Historical Society|Roosevelt Island Historical Society|2008|page=13}}</ref><ref name="STRUCTURE magazine 2015 d973" /> [[John A. Roebling]], who would later design the Brooklyn Bridge, proposed suspension bridges at the site in 1847 and 1856.<ref name="STRUCTURE magazine 2015 d973" />
==== First Rainey attempt ====
An attempt to finance a fixed East River crossing was made in 1867 by wealthy Long Island City residents, who established the ''New-York and Long Island Bridge Company'' to erect the crossing.<ref name="Society Society 2008 p. 13"/><ref name="p278774250">{{cite news |date=March 27, 1994 |title=Queens History; How a Bridge Shaped a City Queensboro
After half of the Blackwell's Island Bridge's $5 million cost had been raised, media sources reported in May 1881 that work was to commence shortly;<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 1881 |title=The Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=1 |work=The Buffalo Commercial |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-the-blackwells-i/133842493/ |access-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175242/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-the-blackwells-i/133842493/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 2, 1881 |title=New York News |page=3 |work=The Hartford Courant |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|554167211}}}}</ref> a [[cofferdam]] for one of the bridge's piers was installed that month.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1881 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-union-blackwells-island-br/133843152/ |access-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175244/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-union-blackwells-island-br/133843152/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 28, 1881 |title=The Second Bridge Between New York and Brooklyn |magazine=Scientific American |volume=XLIV |issue=22 |page=335 |id={{ProQuest|126602806}}}}</ref> By the next year, the cost had increased to $6.3 million.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 16, 1882 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge.;
==== Second Rainey attempt ====
[[File:Queensboro Bridge 1908 LOC 3c00105u.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Bridge seen from Manhattan, c. 1908]]By the 1890s, [[Long Island Rail Road]] (LIRR) president [[Austin Corbin]] had merged Rainey's plan and a competing plan.<ref name="The New York Times 2023 i117">{{cite web |date=May 24, 1896 |title=Long Island Territory; Property That Will Be a Part of Greater New-
A [[groundbreaking ceremony]] for the bridge was held at 64th Street in Manhattan on August 19, 1894.<ref name="n134814941">{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1894 |title=The Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=20 |work=The Sun |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-the-blackwells-island-bridge/134814941/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108021338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-the-blackwells-island-bridge/134814941/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 21, 1894 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge: Ground Broken on the Great Long Island Railway Structure. |page=5 |work=St. Louis Post – Dispatch |id={{ProQuest|579162706}}}}</ref> The span was planned as a cantilever bridge carrying four LIRR tracks, as well as roadways and footpaths.<ref name="n134814941" /><ref name="The New York Times 2023 f692">{{cite web |date=May 8, 1895 |title=The New East River Bridge Begun; Rapid Development on Long Island Expected to Follow Its Completion. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1895/05/08/archives/the-new-east-river-bridge-begun-rapid-development-on-long-island.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109015754/https://www.nytimes.com/1895/05/08/archives/the-new-east-river-bridge-begun-rapid-development-on-long-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Real-estate developers predicted that the bridge would spur development on Long Island,<ref name="The New York Times 2023 f692" /> and local media predicted that the bridge would increase real-estate values in Queens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 1895 |title=The New Bridge |pages=3 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-the-new-bridge/134871012/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109015753/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-the-new-bridge/134871012/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 2023 f692" />
Manhattan and Queens were merged into the [[City of Greater New York]] in 1898,<ref>{{Harvnb|ps=.|Eldredge|Horenstein|2014|p=125}}</ref> spurring alternate plans for a bridge between Manhattan and Queens.<ref name="p879753651">{{Cite magazine |date=February 12, 1897 |title=Bridge Building |magazine=Railroad Gazette |issue=1 |page=120 |id={{ProQuest|879753651}}}}</ref> New York Assembly members proposed separate bills in early 1898 to revoke Rainey's franchise for the bridge<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1898 |title=Blackwell's Island Grant |pages=30 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-blackwells-isl/134900125/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-blackwells-isl/134900125/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and to have the city purchase Rainey's franchise.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 16, 1898 |title=Bridge Over Blackwell's Island |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|574423687}}}}</ref> Rainey vowed not to sell his franchise,<ref name="p574687307" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 25, 1898 |title=Won't Sell Franchise, Declares Dr. Rainey |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-wont-sell-fran/134898210/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192336/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-wont-sell-fran/134898210/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the state legislature passed a bill in March 1900 allowing the city to take over Rainey's franchise.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 30, 1900 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge:
==== Post-unification approval ====
A New York state senator introduced legislation in early 1897 to permit the development of a bridge between Manhattan and Queens;<ref>{{cite news |date=February 26, 1897 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Scheme |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|574273400}}}}</ref> the city government was to pay for the bridge.<ref name="p879753651" /> At a meeting in Long Island City in February 1898, a group of men from both boroughs were appointed to consider plans for the bridge.<ref name="n135292602" /> The plan received endorsements from Queens' borough president,<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 1898 |title=For Public Improvements; The Borough of Queens Wants a Bridge Across the East River at Blackwell's Island |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1898/01/22/archives/for-public-improvements-the-borough-of-queens-wants-a-bridge-across.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109170934/https://www.nytimes.com/1898/01/22/archives/for-public-improvements-the-borough-of-queens-wants-a-bridge-across.html |url-status=live }}</ref> civic groups in the borough,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1898 |title=Long Island City's Business |pages=7 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-long-island-citys-business/134895451/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109170936/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-long-island-citys-business/134895451/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Democratic Senatorial Convention.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 1898 |title=A Hard Kick |pages=7 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-a-hard-kick/134903876/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192341/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-a-hard-kick/134903876/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several businessmen from [[Brooklyn]] wanted another bridge between their borough and Manhattan to be built first,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1898 |title=All Railroad Bridge Must
In early 1899, R. S. Buck published plans for an asymmetrical cantilever bridge connecting Queens with Manhattan;<ref name="p278774250" /> the early plans called for a utilitarian design.<ref name="The New York Times 2002 j597" /> The New York City Bridge Department's chief engineer finalized plans for the bridge in October 1899.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 18, 1899 |title=Plans for a New Bridge: Details of the Cantilever Across Blackwell's Island Prepared |page=5 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|574669841}}}}</ref> Coler drew up a plan for a tunnel between Queens and Manhattan via Blackwell's Island;<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 19, 1899 |title=Bridge and Tunnel Talk; Hearing on the Question Before an Aldermanic Committee |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/19/archives/bridge-and-tunnel-talk-hearing-on-the-question-before-an-aldermanic.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109170935/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/19/archives/bridge-and-tunnel-talk-hearing-on-the-question-before-an-aldermanic.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 20, 1899 |title=Coler's Tunnels Attacked: J. Rufus Terry Sends Circular Letters to the Board of Aldermen Opposing the Scheme |page=10 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|574690070}}}}</ref> he claimed that the tunnel would cost $1.9 million, while the bridge would cost $13 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1899 |title=Bridge and Tunnel Cost; Controller Tells Aldermen the Difference in Initial Outlay on Blackwell's Island Projects Is $11,100,000. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/30/archives/bridge-and-tunnel-cost-controller-tells-aldermen-the-difference-in.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192338/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/30/archives/bridge-and-tunnel-cost-controller-tells-aldermen-the-difference-in.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Board of Aldermen appropriated $1 million for the bridge at the end of 1899.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 31, 1899 |title=Aldermen's Last Meeting; New Bridge from Pike Street to Brooklyn Provided For |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/31/archives/aldermens-last-meeting-new-bridge-from-pike-street-to-brooklyn.html |access-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108021340/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/12/31/archives/aldermens-last-meeting-new-bridge-from-pike-street-to-brooklyn.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1899 |title=Brooklyn Now Assured of Another E. R. Bridge |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-now-as/134904766/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-now-as/134904766/ |url-status=live }}</ref> State assemblyman [[Edward C. Brennan]] proposed a bill in January 1900 to appoint commissioners for a bridge or tunnel between Manhattan and Queens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1900 |title=New Routes to Brooklyn: Bill in Legislature Providing for Tunnels and Bridges |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/01/19/archives/new-routes-to-brooklyn-bill-in-legislature-providing-for-tunnels.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203658/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/01/19/archives/new-routes-to-brooklyn-bill-in-legislature-providing-for-tunnels.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city's Municipal Assembly initially failed to authorize the bridge's construction due to opposition from [[Tammany Hall]] politicians.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 26, 1900 |title=Bond Issues Authorized; The Municipal Assembly Spurred On by Mandamus Proceedings. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/09/26/archives/bond-issues-authorized-the-municipal-assembly-spurred-on-by.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203658/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/09/26/archives/bond-issues-authorized-the-municipal-assembly-spurred-on-by.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 26, 1900 |title=City Council in Deadlock |pages=3 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-city-council-in-deadl/134907531/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-city-council-in-deadl/134907531/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The bridge was approved that November; the bridge was relocated southward so its Manhattan end was near 60th Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1900 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=9 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-blackwells-island/134906944/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203659/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-blackwells-island/134906944/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1900 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Approved |pages=14 |work=New-York Tribune |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/134907873/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203701/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/134907873/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[United States Department of War]], which had to certify the plans for the bridge before any work could begin,<ref name="p570905934">{{cite news |date=January 29, 1901 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge:
=== Construction ===
==== Pier construction and proposed modifications ====
R. S. Buck and his assistants were directed to prepare plans for the sites of the bridge's piers, anchorages, and [[Foundation (evidence)|foundations]].<ref name="n134908111" /><ref name="p910589327" /> The Department of Bridges received bids for the foundations in June 1901, with Ryan & Parker as the low bidder.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1901 |title=Bids for Piers of Bridge No. 4 |pages=5 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bids-for-piers-of-bri/134908453/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bids-for-piers-of-bri/134908453/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1901 |title=Dady Was a Bidder |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-dady-was-a-bidder/134908475/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203659/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-dady-was-a-bidder/134908475/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Groundbreaking]] took place that September.<ref name="p126873067" /> After [[Seth Low]] was elected as the city's mayor in late 1901, he promised that work would continue, even though the city's new bridge commissioner, [[Gustav Lindenthal]], wanted to temporarily halt construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1901 |title=Work on Bridge No. 4 Must Not Be Stopped |pages=9 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-on-bridge/134909474/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203657/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-on-bridge/134909474/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lindenthal narrowed the bridge from {{convert|120|to|80|ft}}.<ref name="p571246864">{{cite news |date=July 1, 1902 |title=Builders Defy Lindenthal: Refuse to Suspend Work on Blackwell's Island Bridge Pending Adoption of New Plans |page=4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571246864}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 1, 1902 |title=Width of Blackwell's Island Bridge Altered; Mr. Ladenthal Announces Reduction from 120 to 80 Feet. Refises to Discuss Changes in Plans for New Structure – Pier Contractors Decline to Suspend Work. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/01/archives/width-of-blackwells-island-bridge-altered-mr-ladenthal-announces.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215109/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/01/archives/width-of-blackwells-island-bridge-altered-mr-ladenthal-announces.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The modifications would allow the city to save $850,000<ref name="The New York Times 1902 m831">{{cite web |date=August 23, 1902 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Changes; Details Explained to Delegation from Queens County. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/08/23/archives/blackwells-island-bridge-changes-details-explained-to-delegation.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215111/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/08/23/archives/blackwells-island-bridge-changes-details-explained-to-delegation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while allowing the city to build toll booths, as well as stairs and elevators to Blackwell's Island, within these piers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 12, 1902 |title=Lindenthal Satisfied |pages=2 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-satisfied/134914160/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215107/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-satisfied/134914160/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To compensate for the reduced width, a {{convert|45|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} upper deck would be built.<ref name="The New York Times 1902 m831" /> By January 1902, only $42,000 had been spent on the project.<ref name="p126873067" />
In June 1902, a subcommittee of the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] requested another $5 million for construction.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 14, 1902 |title=To Oust Horgan & Slattery: Controller Advises This Course-- Money for Interior Baths |page=6 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571204384}}}}</ref> The same month, Lindenthal ordered Ryan & Parker to stop working on the bridge, but the firm refused to comply with his order,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1902 |title=Defies Lindenthal's Order to Stop Work |pages=1 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-defies-lindenthals-order-to/134913600/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-defies-lindenthals-order-to/134913600/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 1902 |title=Contractors Disobey Lindenthal:
Low appointed a group of engineering experts that November to review Lindenthal's revised plans.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 4, 1902 |title=Experts for Blackwell's Island Bridge |page=11 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|1013638329}}}}</ref> The experts concluded that neither the original proposal nor Lindenthal's revision were sufficient and suggested that the bridge instead be {{convert|91|ft}} wide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1902 |title=Bridge Experts' Plan; Changes Proposed for Blackwell's Island Structure. Original Plan and Commissioner Lindenthal's Plan Not Considered Satisfactory – Mayor Low's Approval. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/12/14/archives/bridge-experts-plan-changes-proposed-for-blackwells-island.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175022/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/12/14/archives/bridge-experts-plan-changes-proposed-for-blackwells-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 14, 1902 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Plan: Mayor Recommends That of Commission of Experts Appointed by Him |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571262824}}}}</ref> The approaches retained their original 120-foot width,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1904 |title=Engineers Talk With Committee of Forty |pages=7 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-engineers-talk-with-committe/134969085/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-engineers-talk-with-committe/134969085/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as did the piers themselves.<ref name="n135219221">{{Cite news |date=April 15, 1905 |title=Something Doing Now on Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=11 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-something-doing-now-on-black/135219221/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115022126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-something-doing-now-on-black/135219221/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Henry Hornbostel]] was directed in early 1903 to prepare drawings of the bridge's towers and roadway,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 12, 1903 |title=Bridge Experts Named; Mayor Low Appoints Commission for Manhattan Structure. Lieut. Col. Raymond, George S. Morison, C.C. Schneider, H.W. Hodge,
==== Initial work on superstructure ====
The [[Pennsylvania Steel Company]] submitted a bid to construct the bridge's superstructure for $5.3 million in September 1903; Lindenthal rejected the bid, suspecting that the company was engaging in collusion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1903 |title=Hornbostel Rejects Steel Company's Bid |pages=22 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hornbostel-reje/134960825/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hornbostel-reje/134960825/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=September 24, 1903 |title=Collusion in the Bidding Charged by Lindenthal |pages=1 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-collusion-in-the-bidd/134962477/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202615/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-collusion-in-the-bidd/134962477/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The city requested further bids for the superstructure the next month,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 1903 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=3 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/134962715/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202609/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/134962715/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but an injunction prevented Lindenthal from awarding a steel contract.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1903 |title=Lindenthal Tied Up |pages=5 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-tied-up/134964036/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202609/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-tied-up/134964036/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=November 7, 1903 |title=Tiger Holdup Suspected in the Bridge Injunction |pages=20 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-tiger-holdup-su/134964490/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202613/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-tiger-holdup-su/134964490/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Pennsylvania Steel Company received the steel contract that November,<ref name="p886559212">{{Cite magazine |date=
The Pennsylvania Steel Company was obligated to complete the superstructure by the beginning of 1907,<ref name="n135219221" /> and it submitted drawings for the construction of the superstructure in mid-1904.<ref name="n134969352" /> Later that year, Best postponed construction of the bridge's elevators and power houses,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1904 |title=Change in Bridge Contract Will Accelerate Work |pages=4 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-change-in-bridge-cont/134969985/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214243/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-change-in-bridge-cont/134969985/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the city authorized another $400,000 for the bridge's construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 1904 |title=To Improve Court House |pages=10 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-improve-court-ho/134970060/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-improve-court-ho/134970060/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Local merchants protested the postponement of the elevators, saying it would not save money.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1904 |title=Merchants Get After Mr. Best |pages=12 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-merchants-get-after-m/134970238/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214240/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-merchants-get-after-m/134970238/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Before work on the superstructure began, workers erected seventeen temporary {{Convert|135|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} bents between the two piers on Blackwell's Island.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1905 |title=Rearing Skeleton Work for $10,000,000 Bridge |pages=56 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-rearing-skeleto/135219627/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115031316/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-rearing-skeleto/135219627/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When the bents were almost complete, ironworkers organized a [[sympathetic strike]] in June 1905, in solidarity with striking workers at the Pennsylvania Steel Company's [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] factory.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 24, 1905 |title=Strike on New Bridge: Work on Blackwell's Island Structure Tied Up by Order |page=5 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571579706}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1905 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Men on Strike |pages=9 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-blackwells-island-br/135220891/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115031313/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-blackwells-island-br/135220891/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The work stoppage lasted a month,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1905 |title=Housesmith' Strike Ends; Work on Blackwell's Island Bridge Will Now Be Rushed. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/07/29/archives/housesmith-strike-ends-work-on-blackwells-island-bridge-will-now-be.html |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115022120/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/07/29/archives/housesmith-strike-ends-work-on-blackwells-island-bridge-will-now-be.html |url-status=live }}</ref> during which workers were not allowed to complete steel castings for the bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1905 |title=Violate Strike Agreement; Blackwell's Island Bridge Builders Say Union
Work on the superstructure began later in 1905.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 8, 1905 |title=Report of the Commissioner of Bridges of New York City: Bridges Over the East River |magazine=Railroad Gazette |volume=39 |issue=10 |page=232 |id={{ProQuest|873938980}}}}</ref> By that November, workers had erected part of a steel tower atop the pier on the western side of Blackwell's Island; at the time, the media anticipated that {{convert|3000|ST|LT t}} of steel would be erected every month.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 11, 1905 |title=Rapid Work on Blackwell's Bridge |page=12 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571634648}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1905 |title=Building New York's Third Bridge |pages=12 |work=The Buffalo News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-building-new-yorks-thi/135221728/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115031311/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-building-new-yorks-thi/135221728/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first steel span, that above Blackwell's Island, was completed at the beginning of 1906.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 1, 1906 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Work: Steel Work of One Span Nearly Done—the Committee of Forty's Hopes |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/135272131/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|571785964}} |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/135272131/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=January 1, 1906 |title=Bridge Work Advancing; Eastern Section of Blackwell's Island Structure Nearing Completion. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/01/archives/bridge-work-advancing-eastern-section-of-blackwells-island.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/01/archives/bridge-work-advancing-eastern-section-of-blackwells-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After the Blackwell's Island span was finished, the falsework was moved to Manhattan and Queens, and the westernmost and easternmost spans were built atop the falsework.<ref name="p126851307" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1906 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=8 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/135271953/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/135271953/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At that point, the city government had acquired much of the land for the approaches.<ref name="n135271386">{{Cite news |date=January 24, 1906 |title=Bridge Work Held Up By a Hundred Strikers |pages=10 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bridge-work-hel/135271386/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bridge-work-hel/135271386/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The bridge's construction was delayed when the Housesmiths' Union went on strike that January.<ref name="n135271386" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 6, 1906 |title=Strike Holds Up Bridge |pages=6 |work=The Sun |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-strike-holds-up-bridge/135272344/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-strike-holds-up-bridge/135272344/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unions representing other trades refused to join the strike,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1906 |title=Building Trades Refuse to Join in the Strike; Housesmiths Will Not Have Aid of Other Workmen |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/05/14/archives/building-trades-refuse-to-join-in-the-strike-housesmiths-will-not.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/05/14/archives/building-trades-refuse-to-join-in-the-strike-housesmiths-will-not.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Pennsylvania Steel Company had replaced the striking workers by that May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1906 |title=Engineers On Strike |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-engineers-on-st/135272044/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-engineers-on-st/135272044/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1906 |title=Brooklyn Carpenters Establish a Wage of $4.50 |pages=9 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-brooklyn-carpenters-e/135272281/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021751/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-brooklyn-carpenters-e/135272281/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The strike delayed construction by four months.<ref name="n135290784">{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1907 |title=Mayor's Message Has "L" Loop Quite Dead |pages=2 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-mayors-message-has-l-loop/135290784/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116170923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-mayors-message-has-l-loop/135290784/ |url-status=live }}</ref> City officials [[Condemned property|condemned]] a {{convert|250|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} strip of land for the Queens approach viaduct in October 1906.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1906 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=8 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/135273118/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116030949/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/135273118/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Progress on superstructure and approaches ====
The city's Bridge Commission received bids for the construction of a steel approach viaduct in Queens in December 1906, and the Buckley Realty Construction Company submitted a low bid of $798,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1906 |title=Bridge Approach Bids; Viaduct from Queens to Blackwell's Island Structure Lowest, $797,804. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/12/14/archives/bridge-approach-bids-viaduct-from-queens-to-blackwells-island.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021750/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/12/14/archives/bridge-approach-bids-viaduct-from-queens-to-blackwells-island.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|129129899}} |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |date=December 15, 1906 |page=3 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-blackwells-isla/135273227/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116030949/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-blackwells-isla/135273227/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Work on the Queens approach began in February 1907.<ref name="n135293066" /> By then, about {{convert|45000|ST|LT t}} of steel for the bridge, representing nine-tenths of the steel contract, had been manufactured.<ref name="n135290784" /> Workers erected 512 tons of steel each day.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 p752" /> To erect the two spans across the East River's west and east channels, they first built steel towers above each pier, then constructed the cantilever arms from each tower toward the center of the river.<ref name="p126851307" /> As such, the bridge was essentially built in three sections in Manhattan, Blackwell's Island, and Queens.<ref name="The New York Times 1908 c100">{{cite web |title=Join Island Bridge Spans; Workmen Rivet Together the $20,000,000 Structure. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=March 13, 1908 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/13/archives/join-island-bridge-spans-workmen-rivet-together-the-20000000.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193155/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/13/archives/join-island-bridge-spans-workmen-rivet-together-the-20000000.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=March 13, 1908 |title=Bridge Cantilevers Joined |pages=2 |work=The Sun |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-bridge-cantilevers-joined/135299504/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193156/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-bridge-cantilevers-joined/135299504/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By early 1907, the cost of acquiring land for the approaches had increased to $6 million, double the original estimate, and the cost of the entire bridge had increased to as much as $18 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 28, 1907 |title=Bridge Cost Grows: Approach Values Jump Blackwell's Island Structure Estimate Increased $8,000,000 |page=2 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571989972}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1907 |title=A Few Millions More Added to Bridge Cost |pages=5 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-a-few-millions/135298771/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193152/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-a-few-millions/135298771/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After the collapse of the similarly-designed Quebec Bridge in mid-1907, engineers said they had no concerns about the Blackwell's Island Bridge.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 31, 1907 |title=No New Methods Tried: Engineers Here Refuse to Express Opinions on Bridge's Collapse |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571854668}} |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-no-new-methods-tried-e/135292176/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172428/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-no-new-methods-tried-e/135292176/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=August 30, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge All Right |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/135290847/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172426/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/135290847/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The steel towers above both of the Blackwell's Island piers had been completed and were being painted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1907 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Construction Advancing Rapidly |pages=13 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-blackwells-isl/135291043/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172427/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-blackwells-isl/135291043/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That September, some beams at the eastern end of the bridge were blown into the river during a heavy windstorm.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1907 |title=Storm Wrecks Part of the New Bridge; Lightning Bolt Hits Section of Blackwell's Island Span and Wind Brings It Down |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/22/archives/storm-wrecks-part-of-the-new-bridge-lightning-bolt-hits-section-of.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116030950/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/22/archives/storm-wrecks-part-of-the-new-bridge-lightning-bolt-hits-section-of.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=September 22, 1907 |title=Equinox Strikes Hard |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-equinox-strikes-hard/135293951/ 2] |work=New-York Tribune |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-equinox-strikes-hard/135293891/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116170929/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-equinox-strikes-hard/135293891/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The same month, Maryland Steel Company submitted a low bid of $758,000 for a steel-and-masonry approach in Queens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1907 |title=Bridge Bids Opened |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/07/archives/divorced-her-moorish-way-throwing-shoes-at-his-wife-leads-to-arrest.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116030949/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/07/archives/divorced-her-moorish-way-throwing-shoes-at-his-wife-leads-to-arrest.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|571987827}} |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Bids |date=September 7, 1907 |page=9 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646}}</ref> Several buildings in Long Island City, including rowhouses and an old homestead, were demolished for the Queens approach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 20, 1907 |title=Hunter Homestead to Go; One of Many Landmarks Removed for New Bridge Approach |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/10/20/archives/hunter-homestead-to-go-one-of-many-landmarks-removed-for-new-bridge.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116031343/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/10/20/archives/hunter-homestead-to-go-one-of-many-landmarks-removed-for-new-bridge.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The easternmost steel span was well underway by the end of 1907,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1907 |title=Erecting Towers of the Manhattan and Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=21 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-erecting-towers/135292493/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172428/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-erecting-towers/135292493/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and work on the steel towers on the Manhattan and Queens waterfronts began that December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1907 |title=Hurrying New Bridge |pages=4 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-hurrying-new-bridge/135294602/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116194328/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-hurrying-new-bridge/135294602/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, the bridge was more than 70 percent complete.<ref name="n135293066">{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1907 |title=Say Blackwell's Island Bridge Will Be Completed Within a Year |pages=15 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-say-blackwells-islan/135293066/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116170925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-say-blackwells-islan/135293066/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Manhattan residents supported widening 59th Street to serve as the bridge's Manhattan approach, the city's controller was opposed.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 9, 1908 |title=To Demand Bridge Approach; Property Owners Fight Metz's Plan to Cheapen Blackwell's Island Plans. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/09/archives/to-demand-bridge-approach-property-owners-fight-metzs-plan-to.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193203/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/09/archives/to-demand-bridge-approach-property-owners-fight-metzs-plan-to.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The project continued to experience labor disputes, such as in early 1908, when disgruntled workers tried to destroy the Blackwell's Island span with dynamite.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 9, 1908 |title=Dynamite Under New Bridge; Foreman Scents a Plot to Blow Up Blackwell's Island Structure. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/09/archives/dynamite-under-new-bridge-foreman-scents-a-plot-to-blow-up.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193225/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/09/archives/dynamite-under-new-bridge-foreman-scents-a-plot-to-blow-up.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Completion ====
[[File:Blackwell's Island Bridge, ca. 1907.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Constructing the upper level in 1907]]
The Manhattan and Blackwell's Island sections of the bridge were riveted together on March 13, 1908,<ref name="The New York Times 1908 c100" /> and the Blackwell's Island and Queens sections were linked on March 18.<ref name="p895736043">{{Cite magazine |date=March 20, 1908 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |magazine=Railroad Gazette |volume=44 |issue=12 |page=423 |id={{ProQuest|895736043}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Island Bridge Now Joins Us to Queens; Last Link in Blackwell's Structure Is Placed to a Shrill Salvo of Whistles |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=March 19, 1908 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/19/archives/island-bridge-now-joins-us-to-queens-last-link-in-blackwells.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193203/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/03/19/archives/island-bridge-now-joins-us-to-queens-last-link-in-blackwells.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=March 19, 1908 |title=River Spanned Again: New Bridge Connected "Little Tim" Smashes Bottle of Wine on Blackwell Island Cantilever |page=4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572024919}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=March 19, 1908 |title=Connecting Girder Put in: New York Now Joined to Long Island. Blackwell's Island Bridge Crossed for First Time. Begun in 1901, and Cost Nearly $25,000,000. |magazine=Boston Daily Globe |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|501000486}}}}</ref> The Board of Aldermen appropriated another $1.2 million for the bridge's completion shortly afterward; the project had cost $6.2 million up to that point.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 12, 1908 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Overloaded: Need of Inquiry Into New Weights Imposed |page= |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/135299438/ 4] |work=New-York Tribune |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/135299394/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572022996}} |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193157/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-blackwells-island-brid/135299394/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[New York City Department of Finance]]'s chief engineer began investigating the bridge in May 1908 in response to concerns over its structural integrity,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 16, 1908 |title=Bridge Probe Started: Ordered by Mr. Metz Chandler Withington Begins Inquiry—creuzbaur Favors Test |page=1 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572056316}}}}</ref> as the bridge was similar to the collapsed [[Quebec Bridge]], and the plans had been modified after the contract for the superstructure had been awarded.<ref>{{cite web |title=Island Bridge Scare Scouted by Experts; While Plan Is Similar to Wrecked Quebec Structure, More and Stronger Steel Used Here |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 26, 1908 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/05/26/archives/island-bridge-scare-scouted-by-experts-while-plan-is-similar-to.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193243/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/05/26/archives/island-bridge-scare-scouted-by-experts-while-plan-is-similar-to.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=May 19, 1908 |title=Still Mum Over Bridge |pages=3 |work=New-York Tribune |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-still-mum-over-bridge/135300213/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116194333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-still-mum-over-bridge/135300213/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That June, the Board of Estimate authorized $30,000 for two investigations into the bridge's safety.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|572034032}} |title=Bridge Tests Ordered: Estimate Board Acts Authorizes $30,000
Businessmen proposed renaming the crossing as the Queensboro Bridge in September 1908, saying the Blackwell Island name was too closely associated with the island's hospitals and asylums.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 6, 1908
== Operational history<span class="anchor" id="Operation"></span> ==
=== Opening and 1910s ===
In February 1909, the Celebration Committee set June 12 as the bridge's official opening date,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1909
During late 1909, the Williams Engineering and Contracting Company sued the city for damages relating to the unbuilt elevators on Blackwell's Island,<ref>{{cite news |date=
In mid-1914, engineers devised plans to add two subway tracks to the lower level and replace the existing roadway with a pair of {{convert|26|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} roadways on the upper and lower levels.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
=== 1920s to 1940s ===
By the early 1920s, one hundred thousand people a day used the span,<ref>{{cite news |date=
==== 1920s modifications and new roadway ====
The Manhattan approach viaduct was repaired in 1920
In late 1926, Plant and Structure commissioner Albert Goldman proposed adding three vehicular lanes and removing the bridge's footpaths;<ref>{{cite web |title=Has Plan to Ease Queens Bridge Jam; Goldman Proposes to Do Away With Footpaths and to Add Three Vehicular Lanes. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=December 3, 1926 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/12/03/archives/has-plan-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-goldman-proposes-to-do-away-with.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107214243/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/12/03/archives/has-plan-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-goldman-proposes-to-do-away-with.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=
Goldman publicized his plans for the southern upper roadway in April 1929,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1111968616}} |title=City Prepares To Reconstruct Queens Bridge: Plans for East River Span Call for New Ramp Approaches and Exits on Each End Wide Lane for Motor Cars Road To Be Built at Once at Cost of $2,750,000 |date=
====1930s and 1940s modifications====
To reduce congestion, one civic group suggested a plaza at the bridge's Manhattan end in the early 1930s,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1114281184}} |title=West End Plaza On Queensboro Bridge Advised: First Av, Association Head Suggests Means of Ending Congestion in Manhattan Tunnel Also Is Proposed Depressed Railway Tracks North and South Favored |date=
The bridge's wooden pavement also posed a hazard during rainy weather<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1329262709}} |title=Auto Injuries On Queensboro Bridge Up 45: Motorists Demand the City Replace Wooden Paving With Skid-Proof Surface Kracke Promises Relief Says 'Solution Is Near,' Laying Blame on 'Chiselers' |date=
By 1942, the city government was planning to shutter and dismantle the Second Avenue Elevated tracks across the Queensboro Bridge;<ref>{{cite news |date=
=== 1950s and 1960s ===
Officials installed fences in 1951 to prevent [[jaywalking]] at the Manhattan approach,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1951
The Board of Estimate allocated $7.70 million in June 1955 for the construction of the northern upper roadway and approach ramps.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
In 1958, [[Consolidated Edison]] proposed converting the lower-level trolley tracks into vehicular lanes in exchange for permission to install power cables under the bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
In 1964, mayor [[Robert F. Wagner Jr.]] approved the demolition of several buildings for a proposed underpass connecting the bridge's westbound lanes with Second Avenue in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1964 |title=Mayor Approves Razing on 2d Ave.; 11 Buildings Face Demolition for Bridge Underpass |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/08/archives/mayor-approves-razing-on-2d-ave-11-buildings-face-demolition-for.html |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> Had the underpass been built, a bus terminal and landscaped plaza would also have been erected at the Manhattan end of the bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Kane |first=Lawrence |date=March 13, 1965 |title=City Benefactor to Improve Plaza; Plans to Landscape Area off Queensboro Bridge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/13/archives/city-benefactor-to-improve-plaza-plans-to-landscape-area-off.html |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> These plans were scrapped due to a lack of funding.<ref name="nyt-1976-01-19">{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1976 |title=Residents Battling a Shopping Complex At Queensboro Bridge as Problem-Prone |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/01/19/archives/residents-battling-a-shopping-complex-at-queensboro-bridge-as.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> City planner [[Robert Moses]] proposed a 1,000-space parking garage at the bridge's Manhattan end in 1965, though Barnes objected to the plan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kihss |first=Peter |date=March 8, 1965 |title=Moses Asks Garage At 59th St. Bridge; Plan Angers Barnes; Moses Proposes a Garage at Queensboro Bridge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/08/archives/moses-asks-garage-at-59th-st-bridge-plan-angers-barnes-moses.html |access-date=October 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 8, 1965 |title=Moses Asks Garage & Barnes Burns Up |pages=5 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-moses-asks-garage-barnes-bu/133245982/ |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> Instead, Barnes proposed a 1,100-spot garage on the Queens side,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Devlin |first=John C. |date=January 25, 1966 |title=Barnes Urges Queens Garage To Relieve Traffic in Manhattan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/01/25/archives/barnes-urges-queens-garage-to-relieve-traffic-in-manhattan.html |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> which was approved in June 1966.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1966 |title=Parking Garage in Queens Voted; 1,100-Car Facility Scheduled for Long Island City |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/06/25/archives/parking-garage-in-queens-voted-1100car-facility-scheduled-for-long.html |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> The bridge was repainted for seven months starting in November 1966 at a cost of $240,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 22, 1966 |title=Painting Job Is Started On Queensboro Bridge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/11/22/archives/painting-job-is-started-on-queensboro-bridge.html |access-date=March 15, 2022}}</ref> Between 1968 and 1970, officials commissioned five studies of Queensboro Bridge traffic, but no changes were made as a result.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tolchin |first=Martin |date=July 14, 1970 |title=Consultants Did 10 Bridge Studies:
=== 1970s to 1990s ===
Line 207 ⟶ 218:
In 1970, the federal government enacted the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]], a series of federal air pollution regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Within |first=Richard |date=April 15, 1973 |title=Shift on Emission May Cost Drivers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/shift-on-emission-may-cost-drivers-granted-2year-delay-compensation.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829081030/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/shift-on-emission-may-cost-drivers-granted-2year-delay-compensation.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> As part of a plan by mayor [[John Lindsay]] and the federal [[Environmental Protection Agency]],<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields">{{Cite news |last1=Dembart |first1=Lee |date=June 16, 1977 |title=Broad Parking Ban in Manhattan Begins as Mayor Yields to Ruling |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/broad-parking-ban-in-manhattan-begins-as-mayor-yields-to-ruling-206.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829122855/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/broad-parking-ban-in-manhattan-begins-as-mayor-yields-to-ruling-206.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> the city government considered implementing tolls on the four free East River bridges, including the Queensboro, in the early 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Witkin |first=Richard |date=March 13, 1971 |title=City Bridge-Toll Plans |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/03/13/archives/city-bridgetoll-plans-plan-for-tolls-on-four-east-river-bridges-is.html |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 22, 1970 |title=Bridge Toll Study |page=13 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|916064041}}}}</ref> The plan would have raised money for New York City's transit system<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1971 |title=He Calls Toll on Bridges a Benefit to Straphangers |pages=314 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-he-calls-toll-on-bridges-a-be/133295973/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> and allowed the city to meet the Clean Air Act.<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields" /> Had the tolls been implemented, a tollbooth would have been installed on the bridge's Manhattan approach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1977 |title=Study Says New Tolls Ridiculous |pages=4 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-study-says-new-tolls-ridiculous/133323496/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> A small terminal for [[List of express bus routes in New York City|express buses]] was also proposed for the Manhattan end of the bridge, but it was not built.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prial |first=Frank J. |date=December 8, 1971 |title=Network of Malls Urged By City for Midtown Area |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/12/08/archives/network-of-malls-urged-by-city-for-midtown-area.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref>
On November 23, 1973, the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) designated the Queensboro Bridge as a city landmark, preventing any modifications without the LPC's approval.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1973 |title=Landmark Status Given To Queensboro Bridge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/24/archives/landmark-status-given-to-queensboro-bridge.html |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="n98607720">{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1973 |title=This Bridge to Wear A New Gold Plate |pages=5 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98607720/this-bridge-to-wear-a-new-gold-plate/ |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref> It was the second East River bridge to be so designated, after the Brooklyn Bridge.<ref name="n98607720" /> While there were concerns that the landmark status could prevent tollbooths from being installed,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lieberman |first=Mark |date=September 26, 1973 |title=No Tollgate on a Bridge to the Past? |pages=171 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98607545/no-tollgate-on-a-bridge-to-the/ |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref> planners said the tollbooths could just be installed on the bridge's approaches.<ref name="n98607720" /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 10, 1974 |title=Formal Landmark Status Is Given to Central Park |page=41 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|120003956}}}}</ref> The Board of Estimate delayed ratification of the landmark designation because some space under the bridge's approaches was used for commercial purposes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fowler |first=Glenn |date=February 10, 1974 |title=City Cites Boerum Hill |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/10/archives/city-cites-boerum-hill-boerum-hill-a-landmark.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> The tolling proposal was opposed by figures such as Queens borough president [[Donald Manes]], who encouraged the state government to take over the bridge so tolls could not be charged.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1977 |title=Manes: 2 Toll-Free Ways Over Queensboro Bridge |pages=560 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manes-2-toll-free-ways-over/133298776/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> According to Manes, the tolls would merely increase pollution around Queens Plaza.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1977 |title=Better Subways, Not Tolls Manes Pollution Solution |pages=450 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-better-subways-not-tolls-man/133322982/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> [[Abraham Beame]], who became mayor in 1974, refused to implement the tolls,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weisman |first1=Steven R. |date=August 6, 1977 |title=Beame, U.S. Reach an 'Understanding' on a Parking Ban |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/06/archives/beame-us-reach-an-understanding-on-a-parking-ban-court-gives-them-2.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121700/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/06/archives/beame-us-reach-an-understanding-on-a-parking-ban-court-gives-them-2.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> and the U.S. Congress subsequently moved to forbid tolls on the free East River bridges.<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields" /> The northern lower-level roadway was closed in 1976 while the wires underneath the deck were being replaced.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Arthur |last=Mulligan |date=
By the mid-1970s, as the city government considered an open-air market under the bridge,<ref>See: {{Cite news |last=Kaiser |first=Charles |date=July 8, 1977 |title=Plans for $2 Million Open-Air Market Under Queensboro Bridge Are Approved |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/08/archives/plans-for-2-million-openair-market-under-queensboro-bridge-are.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019205041/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/08/archives/plans-for-2-million-openair-market-under-queensboro-bridge-are.html |url-status=live |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 23, 1977 |title=Board of Estimate Votes a New Lease For Bridgemarket |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/23/archives/board-of-estimate-votes-a-new-lease-for-bridgemarket.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019200357/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/23/archives/board-of-estimate-votes-a-new-lease-for-bridgemarket.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n133319392">{{Cite news |last=Geline |first=Robert |date=July 14, 1977 |title=Warn Queensboro Bridge May Be Like the London |pages=18 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-warn-queensboro-bridge-may-be/133319392/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> a city engineer described the bridge as severely deteriorated.<ref name="n133319392" /><ref name="p923100586">{{cite news |last=Treen |first=Joseph M. |date=February 27, 1978 |title=Queensborough Bridge: Safe,
==== 1970s and 1980s renovations ====
[[File:Queensboro Bridge from above.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|The bridge as seen from the 56th floor of the [[Citigroup Center]]]]
The state government started inspecting the Queensboro Bridge and five others in 1978,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1978 |title=Extensive Inspection of 6 New York City Bridges Scheduled by State |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/26/archives/extensive-inspection-of-6-new-york-city-bridges-scheduled-by-state.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|964216095}} |title=City Bridges To Be Repaired, Governor Says |date=
An extensive renovation commenced on February 25, 1981,<ref name="p1469993383">{{cite news |last=Calderone |first=Joe |date=January 2, 1985 |title=Detours Through 1992 On Queensboro Bridge |page=25 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|1469993383}}}}</ref> and was completed in six phases.<ref name="Society Society 2008 p. 68"/> That December, the [[United States Department of Transportation]] gave $28.8 million for the bridge's renovation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1981 |title=Funds for Bridge Repairs |pages=23 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129137884/ |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> The pedestrian and bike path closed in May 1983.<ref name="n133327304" /> The NYSDOT announced that July that the southern upper roadway, which carried eastbound traffic, would be closed for repairs, which were expected to take 18 months.<ref name="nyt-1983-07-07" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1983 |title=Repairs Set for
The Queensboro Bridge's pedestrian path reopened in July 1985;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=August 16, 1985 |title=It's Time to Cross Some Bridges:
==== 1990s renovations ====
[[File:Queensboro Bridge from East River Greenway.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2|Queensboro Bridge at dusk, as seen from [[East River Greenway]] in [[Manhattan]], 2020]]The [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) proposed a rail link to [[LaGuardia Airport|LaGuardia]] and JFK airports in 1990;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=March 18, 1990 |title=M.T.A. Proposes Rail Line to Link Major Airports |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/nyregion/mta-proposes-rail-line-to-link-major-airports.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309040906/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/nyregion/mta-proposes-rail-line-to-link-major-airports.html |archive-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> the line, which would have used the Queensboro Bridge, was canceled in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levy |first=Clifford J. |date=February 1, 1995 |title=Port Authority May Scale Back Airport Rail Line |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/01/nyregion/port-authority-may-scale-back-airport-rail-line.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901210405/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/01/nyregion/port-authority-may-scale-back-airport-rail-line.html |archive-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> A renovation of the Queensboro Bridge's lower level began in June 1990, when two Manhattan-bound lanes were closed.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 12, 1990 |title=Time for Bridge Traffic Jams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/12/nyregion/time-for-bridge-traffic-jams.html |access-date=October 17, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carper |first=Alison |date=June 12, 1990 |title=Bridge Work Delays Drivers |page=19 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278327390}}}}</ref> This phase of construction was supposed to cost $120 million.<ref name="p278370206" /> The lower deck's partial closure caused severe congestion in Queens, since part of the nearby [[Long Island Expressway]] was also closed for renovation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perez-Rivas |first=Manuel |date=June 14, 1990 |title=Bridge Snarls Anger Queens Residents
The NYCDOT announced in 1995 that it would spend another $161 million to renovate the outer lower-level roadways starting the following year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manns |first=Lisa |date=July 6, 1995 |title=Queensboro Bridge Slated For Repairs Once Again This
In the late 1990s, the NYCDOT hired architect Walter Melvin to renovate the vaults under the Manhattan approach.<ref name="The New York Times 1996 i504" /> During the renovation of the main span, a scaffold collapsed in 1997, killing a worker.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Michael |date=September 30, 1997 |title=Worker Dies as Scaffold Collapses in Repair Job |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/30/nyregion/worker-dies-as-scaffold-collapses-in-repair-job.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The renovation of the northern lower roadway was completed in mid-1998.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hetter |first=Katia |date=July 19, 1998 |title=Trouble Over Bridged Water / City's Queensboro
=== 2000s to present ===
[[File:EdKochBdge 20231017 094700.jpg|thumb|left|Southern lower roadway and Long Island City from the Queensboro Bridge]]
Following the completion of additional renovations in September 2000, the northern upper roadway was converted back to a westbound road at all times. The northern lower roadway was converted into a bike and pedestrian path, while the southern lower roadway became an eastbound lane.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donohue |first=Pete |date=September 10, 2000 |title=More Road Blues Likely on Queensboro Bridge |page=32 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |id={{ProQuest|305611345}}}}</ref> After the [[September 11 attacks]] on the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] in 2001, drivers without passengers were temporarily banned from using the bridge during rush hours.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin C. |date=October 2, 2001 |title=America's Ordeal / Early Birds Try to Beat Restrictions |page=A30 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|279501619}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Blair |first=Jayson |date=October 1, 2001 |title=City, Noting Traffic Decrease, Continues Lone Driver Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/01/nyregion/city-noting-traffic-decrease-continues-lone-driver-rules.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The city announced plans in 2002 to restore six masonry piers supporting the bridge.<ref name="The New York Times 2002 j597" /> The same year, mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] again proposed tolling the four free East River bridges, including the Queensboro Bridge; many local residents opposed his plan,<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Grady |first=Jim |date=March 3, 2002 |title=Neighborhood Report: Queensboro Bridge; Tolls on East River Bridges? Not in Their Backyard |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-queensboro-bridge-tolls-east-river-bridges-not-their.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> and Bloomberg postponed the tolling plan in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowles |first1=Pete |last2=Thrush |first2=Glenn |date=October 8, 2003 |title=Mayor Wavers on Bridge Tolls / Cites
As part of a $168 million project that began in 2004,<ref name="Bridge Report 2006">{{cite web |date=2006 |title=Innovations & Accomplishments |url=https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/bridgerpt06_2.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=[[New York City Department of Transportation]]}}</ref>{{Rp|page=56}} workers repainted the bridge.<ref name="p279974075">{{cite news |last=Robin |first=Joshua |date=August 22, 2005 |title=The Fold: Queensboro Bridge Makeover, Restoration on the River |page=A22 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|279974075}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brownlow |first=Ron |date=October 20, 2005 |title=Fire On Queensboro Bridge Stops Traffic For Hours |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/western/fire-on-queensboro-bridge-stops-traffic-for-hours/article_c37d40a4-1985-50f0-835a-06ff8df183e3.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Queens Chronicle}}</ref> They also added fences and lighting, restored a trolley kiosk on the Manhattan end of the bridge, and restored the Manhattan approach<ref name="p279974075" /> in a separate project between 2003 and 2006.<ref name="Bridge Report 2006" />{{Rp|pages=53–55}} The renovation was temporarily halted in October 2005 after a small fire.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robin |first1=Joshua |last2=Bowles |first2=Pete |date=October 20, 2005 |title=Fire
The bridge was renamed after [[Ed Koch]] in 2011.<ref name="NYTimes-QboroRenaming-2011" /> After a series of fatal crashes in 2013, officials closed the southern lower roadway at night.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nir |first=Sarah Maslin |date=December 24, 2013 |title=Queensboro Bridge Lane to Be Closed Every Night |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/25/nyregion/queensboro-bridge-lane-to-be-closed-every-night.html |access-date=December 18, 2017}}</ref> By the middle of the decade, the bridge carried 175,000 daily vehicles, making it the East River's busiest bridge.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 16, 2015 |title=East Side Residents Say Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Traffic Is Keeping Them Awake |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/ed-koch-queensboro-bridge-traffic-noise/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=CBS New York}}</ref> Mayor [[Bill de Blasio]] announced plans in April 2016 to allocate $244 million for repairs to the Queensboro Bridge's upper deck.<ref name="Matua 2016 c754">{{cite web |last=Matua |first=Angela |date=April 26, 2016 |title=The 107-
== Public transportation ==
Line 240 ⟶ 251:
==== Rapid transit ====
The bridge was built with two elevated railway tracks on its upper level<ref name="n138184072" /> and had provisions for two more.<ref name="SA p. 101" /> A connection from the [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]]'s Second Avenue Elevated to the bridge was first proposed in 1910;<ref>{{cite news |date=
There were also plans to run a [[New York City Subway]] line across the bridge in September 1909;<ref>{{Cite news |date=
In 1990, the MTA proposed an [[airport rail link]] running via the bridge to JFK and LaGuardia airports.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levy |first=Clifford J. |date=February 1, 1995 |title=Port Authority May Scale Back Airport Rail Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/01/nyregion/port-authority-may-scale-back-airport-rail-line.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901210405/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/01/nyregion/port-authority-may-scale-back-airport-rail-line.html |archive-date=September 1, 2017 |access-date=September 1, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> This plan was scaled down in 1995, becoming
==== Streetcars ====
The bridge had [[streetcar]] tracks occupying the northern and southern lower roadways.<ref>{{cite news |last=Boardman |first=Robert C. |date=
A streetcar stop was constructed at the middle of the bridge in 1919 to serve the [[Queensboro Bridge#Elevator to Roosevelt Island|elevator to Roosevelt Island]].<ref name="n138203161" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1918
{| class="wikitable"
Line 258 ⟶ 269:
| Queensboro Bridge Local || Queens || 1909<ref name="n138181867" /> || 1957<ref name="p1325116113" />
|-
| Astoria Line
|-
| Steinway Line
|-
| College Point Line
|-
| Corona Line
|-
| Queens Boulevard Line
|-
| 42nd Street Crosstown Line || Manhattan || 1912<ref name="NYERA-QnsboroBridgeTrolley-2009" /> || 1919<ref name="NYERA-QnsboroBridgeTrolley-2009" />
|}
On the Manhattan end of the Queensboro Bridge were originally five trolley kiosks, which contained stairs leading to a trolley terminal underground. Lindenthal and Hornbostel designed the structures, which had terracotta-paneled facades, cast-iron columns, and a copper roof with cast-iron [[Fascia (architecture)|fascias]]. There were arched, glazed-tile ceilings inside each of the kiosks.<ref name="The New York Times 1998 d767" /> The kiosks also had [[Greek key (art)|Greek key]] motifs; shields with garlands; and ornamental [[Bracket (architecture)|brackets]].<ref name="The New York Times 2003 d367">{{cite web |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=July 11, 2003 |title=Bell Tolls for Reminder of Trolleys Past; City Seeks to Dismantle the Last Kiosk Standing in Manhattan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/11/nyregion/bell-tolls-for-reminder-trolleys-past-city-seeks-dismantle-last-kiosk-standing.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The locations of three kiosks are unknown.<ref name="The New York Times 2003 d367" /> Another kiosk was sent to the [[Brooklyn Children's Museum]] in 1974,<ref name="The New York Times 2001 w416" /> then was relocated to Roosevelt Island and renovated into a visitor center.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zimmer |first=Amy |date=February 23, 2011 |title=Playground Gates, Green Roof Get UES Preservation Awards |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110223/upper-east-side/playground-gates-green-roof-get-ues-preservation-awards/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=DNAinfo New York |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014710/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110223/upper-east-side/playground-gates-green-roof-get-ues-preservation-awards/ |url-status=dead
=== Buses ===
Line 278 ⟶ 289:
=== Elevator to Roosevelt Island ===
An elevator from the bridge to Roosevelt Island (then known as Blackwell's Island) was proposed in October 1912.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
After the trolley lines across the bridge were largely replaced by buses in the 1930s, [[Steinway Transit]] retained one of the bridge's trolley tracks and established the Queensboro Bridge Railway, a shuttle streetcar route connecting with the elevator to Roosevelt Island.<ref name="Roberts 2020 c119" /> The elevator was demolished in 1970, having been replaced by the [[Roosevelt Island Bridge]].<ref name="U.S. Government Printing Office 1998 p. 95">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7k4n-4_hcwMC&pg=PA95 |title=Governors Island: Options for Reuse After Federal Government Departure : Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information,
== Impact ==
=== Reception ===
When plans for the bridge were being finalized in 1901, there was commentary on its cantilevered design; all of the other bridges across the East River at the time were suspension bridges. The city's bridge commissioner at the time, John L. Shea, said that the Queensboro Bridge would not be as "picturesque" compared to a suspension bridge but that it could look as attractive as either the Williamsburg or Brooklyn bridges. Buck said that the U.S. had some "homely" cantilever bridges but hoped the Queensboro Bridge was not ugly.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 14, 1901 |title=Will the New Bridge Be Ugly?: Discussion as to the Architectural Beauty of the Blackwell's Island Structure |page=A1 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571018973}}}}</ref> The chief engineer of the city's Bridge Department said in 1904 that he believed the cantilever design was "a mistake" and that a suspension bridge on the same site, supported by three towers, would have been a novelty.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1904 |title=Eye-
When the bridge was finished in 1908, ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' wrote that the Queensboro was "one of the greatest bridges in the world, and one of the most beautiful of its type", despite having received relatively little media attention during construction.<ref name="p507939040" /> Two decades after the bridge opened, ''The New York Times'' said the "Brooklyn Bridge has the reputation but Queensboro Bridge
=== Impact on development ===
The ''New-York Tribune'' wrote in 1904 that the Queensboro Bridge's construction would cause Blackwell's Island to "lose at least a share of its sinister reputation".<ref>{{cite news |date=December 4, 1904 |title=Ever on the Island!: Soon You Can Inspect Blackwell's Without Inconvenience |page=A4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571616885}}}}</ref> Even before the bridge was completed, real-estate values in Queens had been increasing several times over,<ref name="n135270495" /><ref>{{cite news |date=March 25, 1906 |title=All Past Booms Eclipsed by Queens Speculation: Prices Advanced in Many Instances Threefold—Total Investment Estimated at $40,000,000—Facts
The opening of the bridge encouraged development of vacant land in Queens, where tracts were resold for residential and commercial use.<ref name="p278774250" /> Many industrial firms began operating in western Queens,<ref name="p278774250" /> including vehicle-manufacturing plants in Long Island City.<ref name="n133321693" /> By the early 1910s, numerous industrial structures and loft buildings had been built around the bridge's Queens end, particularly on Queens Plaza.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
=== Media ===
Because of its design and location, the Queensboro Bridge has appeared in numerous media works, including films and TV shows, set in New York City.<ref name="n133321693" /> For example, the title of [[Simon & Garfunkel]]'s 1966 song "[[The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)]]" refers to the Queensboro Bridge,<ref name="n133326018" /><ref name="NYT" /> and it has been mentioned in media such as [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]'s 1925 novel ''[[The Great Gatsby]]''.<ref name="Susman 2011 u996" /><ref name="NYT" /> The bridge has been the setting or filming location for several movies, such as ''[[Manhattan (1979 film)|Manhattan]]'' (1979),<ref name="Susman 2011 u996" /><ref>{{cite book |
== See also ==
Line 317 ⟶ 328:
* {{cite concrete}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=August 10, 1907 |title=The Erection of the Blackwell's Island Bridge. |magazine=Scientific American |volume=XCVIII |pages=100–101 |id={{ProQuest|126851967}} |ref={{harvid|Scientific American|1907}} |number=6}}
* {{cite book |author=Greater Astoria Historical Society |author2=
* {{cite report |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/78001879.pdf |title=Historic Structures Report: Queensboro Bridge |date=
* {{cite book |last=Kunz |first=F.C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ExDAAAAYAAJ |title=Report on the Blackwell's Island Bridge (Queensboro Bridge) |publisher=Pennsylvania Steel Company |year=1909 |ref=none}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Wingate |first1=C.F. |last2=Meyer |first2=H.C. |year=1913 |title=Maintenance of Great City Bridges |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AG5JAQAAMAAJ |magazine=Engineering Record |language=en |publisher=McGraw Publishing Company |volume=67 |ref={{harvid|Engineering Record|1913}}}}
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{{Roosevelt Island}}
{{Crossings navbox
|structure
|place
|bridge
|bridge signs
|upstream
|upstream signs
|downstream
|downstream signs = {{NYCS Queens 53rd|time=bullets}}
}}
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