Brooklyn Bridge

This iconic bridge is one of the country's oldest suspension bridges; it was constructed in 1883 and spans the East River connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. It was designed by John Augustus Roebling who had designed a number of other important bridges in the US. The design was taken over by Roebling's son who became ill and so managed the construction of the bridge from his apartment which had a view of the bridge. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling assisted the designer by being the link between him and the engineers on site. Emily was given the honor of being the first to cross the bridge when it opened. At the time of the bridge opening Brooklyn was an independent city and only 15 years after the bridge was opened did the borough become part of NYC.

The bridge is 486.3 meters long with stone towers and steel cables; it took 14 years to construct and 600 workers at a cost of $15 million. The bridge towers have a neo-Gothic appearance with two pointed arched above the passageways. The bridge is a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

The bridge has 6 lanes for motor traffic but commercial vehicles and buses cannot use the bridge due to the height of the roadway. There is a pedestrian walkway across the bridge accessible from Tillary Street, Adams Street or Prospect Street on the Brooklyn side and from Centre Street and Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall IRT subway station on the Manhattan side. The walkway for pedestrians and cyclists is in the middle of the bridge which is raised above the traffic level.

One of the best ways to see Brooklyn Bridge is on foot or bike. Take the Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour, an enjoyable time is guaranteed.