10 Bridges in New York City
Did you know that New York is home to around 2,000 bridges and tunnels? If you’re in the big apple on a trip, or just want to get to know the city a little better, then you can discover more about NYC’s fascinating history just by stepping outside a little, whether your base is a house, apartment or hotel. All within easy distance of public transport.
Brooklyn Bridge
This iconic bridge opened in 1883 and has been featured in many Hollywood movies and TV shows since. It’s one of the most easily recognizable aspects of the city skyline, and is almost 6,000 feet long.
Manhattan Bridge
This suspension bridge connects western Brooklyn with southeast Manhattan. It opened in 1909, and the main span of it is 1,470 feet long.
Williamsburg Bridge
Another of the oldest bridges in the city, this one was constructed in 1896 and connects Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Manhattan's Lower East Side. As well as eight lanes of traffic, it also holds a bike path, a walkway, and the J, M, and Z subway lines.
George Washington Bridge
This suspension bridge is double-decked, and spans the Hudson river from the Palisades park near Fort Lee, New Jersey, across to Manhattan.
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Formerly known as the Triborough Bridge, this was renamed in 2008 and is, in fact, comprised of three branches, connecting Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.
Queensboro Bridge
Names are an issue, again, here, as this bridge is also known as the 59th Street Bridge and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (this is its official name). It’s a cantilever style bridge and was completed in 1909.
Hell Gate Bridge
Otherwise known as the New York Connecting Railroad Bridge or the East River Arch Bridge, Hell Gate Bridge is so called because it resembles a red archway. It was constructed between 1912 and 1916.
High Bridge
Originally known as the Aqueduct Bridge, this is the oldest bridge in NYC, and was opened in 1848. These days, it only carries bikes and pedestrians, but is an important piece of the city’s history.
Goethals Bridge
This is, in fact, a couple of cable-stayed bridges which once linked New Jersey to Staten Island. Its unusual shape makes it a unique, interesting addition to the city’s bridge collection, and it first opened in 1928 - however, it closed a few years ago, and its replacement (New Goethals Bridge) now runs alongside it.
Outerbridge Crossing
Another bridge which spans to Staten Island, Outerbridge, as it’s often known, is a cantilever bridge. It carries two important freeways: New York State Route 440 and New Jersey Route 440.
