What was the main problem with building the Brooklyn Bridge?
Building the Brooklyn Bridge was a very dangerous endeavor. Workers had to excavate deep down into the riverbed in order to achieve a solid foundation for the bridge. To do this they pinned down massive wooden boxes called caissons to the river’s floor using enormous granite blocks.
How much did it cost to build the Brooklyn Bridge?
The bridge’s construction took 14 years and cost $15 million (more than $320 million in today’s dollars). Who paid for the Brooklyn Bridge? After Roebling was hired by the New York Bridge Company to help span the river, infamous political kingpin William “Boss” Tweed funneled $65,000 in bribes to city aldermen to secure funding for the bridge.
How long did it take to build the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge took 14 years to build, starting in 1869 and ending in 1883. Roebling, a German immigrant, was named Chief Architect in the initial planning.
What did it take to build the Brooklyn Bridge?
The bridge's construction took 14 years, involved 600 workers and cost $15 million (more than $320 million in today's dollars). Likewise, how Brooklyn Bridge was built? Pioneering Efforts of the Brooklyn Bridge To dig the foundations for the bridge's enormous stone towers, caissons—enormous wooden boxes with no bottoms—were sunk in the river. Compressed air was pumped into them, and men inside would dig away at the sand and rock on the river bottom.
How long was the Brooklyn Bridge built to last?
Brooklyn Bridge at night, spanning the East River and connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City. The masterwork of John Augustus Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was built (1869–83) in the face of immense difficulties.
How many people died of the bends building the Brooklyn Bridge?
At least 20 people died during the bridge's construction. His toes were amputated, and a few weeks later he died of tetanus. Other workers fell off the 276-foot-high towers, were hit by falling debris or succumbed to caisson disease, better known as “the bends.
Who really built the Brooklyn Bridge?
John A. Roebling's Sons CompanyBrooklyn Bridge / Contractor
Who paid for the Brooklyn Bridge?
The bridge began as a privately financed project — funded by the New York and Brooklyn Bridge Company. But the work went over budget, and investors were bailed out by the state, which financed the remainder of the $15-million project — more than $2.5 billion in today's money.
How deep is the water under the Brooklyn Bridge?
Brooklyn BridgeClearance below127 ft (38.7 m) above mean high waterHistoryDesignerJohn Augustus RoeblingConstructed byNew York Bridge Company35 more rows
Does the Brooklyn Bridge have a secret room?
The nuclear bunker is inside one of the massive stone arches below the bridge's main entrance on the Manhattan side, and it's chock full of supplies, including medication like Dextran (used to treat shock), water drums, paper blankets, and 352,000 calorie-packed crackers (that may be still be edible, in fact).
Is the Brooklyn Bridge structurally sound?
New York's Brooklyn Bridge is one of more than 47,000 bridges identified as "structurally deficient," according to the annual report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
Why is the Brooklyn Bridge so famous?
The Brooklyn Bridge is very recognisable thanks to its location, size and its granite towers and thick steel cables. It is perhaps one of New York City's most popular attractions because it is so photogenic.
How old is the Brooklyn Bridge now?
153Brooklyn Bridge / Age (c. 1869-1883)
What bridge is longer Golden Gate or Brooklyn?
The bridge's main span is 1595.5 feet and was the longest suspension bridge when completed....The Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges.The Brooklyn BridgeThe Golden Gate BridgeLongest suspension bridge upon completionLongest suspension bridge upon completionPedestrian accessPedestrian access6 more rows•May 16, 2012
How long does it take to walk the Brooklyn Bridge?
60 minutesHOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE? The short answer is 60 minutes. That's the time that most visitors to the bridge take to cross. New York commuters hurrying to work spend 25 minutes crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.
How many cars cross the Brooklyn Bridge on a daily basis?
According to the Department of Transportation, more than 100,000 cars, 4,000 cyclists and 10,000 pedestrians cross the bridge daily. The full length of the bridge is 6,016 feet.
How many construction workers died in the 1920s?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated annual workplace injury fatalities at 30,039 in the early 1920's. 75,000 railroad workers died in the quarter century before World War I alone. The construction industry was just as dangerous, if not more so.
How many construction workers died building the Brooklyn Bridge?
In his book The Great Bridge, author David McCullough writes that the construction took the lives of 21 men, most of them immigrants. In his account to the Brooklyn Eagle, Martin detailed the accidental deaths of 27 workers, although master mechanic E.F. Farrington estimated the number could be as high as 40.
How many workers died making the Empire State Building?
five workersThe Empire State Building was eventually finished ahead of schedule and under budget, but it also came with a human cost: at least five workers were killed during the construction process.
How did Brooklyn Bridge workers get the bends?
The Brooklyn bridge project employed 600 workers in 1873. The caissons were to a depth of 78.5 feet/23.8 m. These caissons were steam heated because it was thought that decompression sickness was due to extreme cold. Andrew Smith, an ENT surgeon, was the physician in charge.
How long did it take to build the Brooklyn Bridge?
Of all the engineering advances in the 1800s, the Brooklyn Bridge stands out as perhaps the most famous and most remarkable. It took more than a decade to build, cost the life of its designer, and was constantly criticized by skeptics who predicted the entire structure was going to collapse into New York's East River.
When did Roebling build the Brooklyn Bridge?
Roebling began dreaming of spanning the East River between New York and Brooklyn (which were then two separate cities) as early as 1857 when he drew designs for enormous towers that would hold the bridge's cables.
What happened to John Roebling?
Just as work was beginning on the bridge in the summer of 1869, tragedy struck. John Roebling severely injured his foot in a freak accident as he was surveying the spot where the Brooklyn tower would be built. He died of lockjaw not long after, and his son Washington Roebling, who had distinguished himself as a Union officer in the Civil War, became chief engineer of the bridge project.
Why was the idea of bridging the East River impossible?
But the idea was thought to be impossible because of the width of the waterway, which, despite its name, wasn’t really a river. The East River is actually a saltwater estuary, prone to turbulence and tidal conditions.
When did the Great Bridge open?
When it opened on May 24, 1883, the world took notice and the entire U.S. celebrated. The great bridge, with its majestic stone towers and graceful steel cables, isn't just a beautiful New York City landmark. It's also a very dependable route for many thousands of daily commuters.
Who sold the wire rope to the bridge?
In one famous case, a manufacturer of wire rope sold inferior material to the bridge company. The shady contractor, J. Lloyd Haigh, escaped prosecution. But the bad wire he sold is still in the bridge, as it couldn’t be removed once it was worked into the cables. Washington Roebling compensated for its presence, ensuring the inferior material wouldn’t affect the strength of the bridge.
Who built the suspension bridge?
John Roebling, an immigrant from Germany, did not invent the suspension bridge, but his work building bridges in America made him the most prominent bridge builder in the U.S. in the mid-1800s. His bridges over the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh (completed in 1860) and over the Ohio River at Cincinnati (completed 1867) were considered remarkable achievements.
When was the Brooklyn Bridge built?
Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began on January 2, 1870. The first work entailed the construction of two caissons, upon which the suspension towers would be built. The Brooklyn side's caisson was built at the Webb & Bell shipyard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and was launched into the river on March 19, 1870.
How long is the Brooklyn Bridge?
Including approaches, the Brooklyn Bridge is a total of 6,016 feet (1,834 m) long when measured between the curbs at Park Row in Manhattan and Sands Street in Brooklyn. A separate measurement of 5,989 feet (1,825 m) is sometimes given; this is the distance from the curb at Centre Street in Manhattan.
What caused the swaying of the bridge in 2003?
During the 2003 blackouts, many crossing the bridge reported a swaying motion. The higher-than-usual pedestrian load caused this swaying, which was amplified by the tendency of pedestrians to synchronize their footfalls with a sway. Several engineers expressed concern about how this would affect the bridge, although others noted that the bridge did withstand the event and that the redundancies in its design—the inclusion of the three support systems (suspension system, diagonal stay system, and stiffening truss)—make it "probably the best secured bridge against such movements going out of control". In designing the bridge, John Roebling had stated that the bridge would sag but not fall, even if one of these structural systems were to fail altogether.
Why are the Brooklyn banks closed?
In the mid-2010s, the Brooklyn Banks were closed to the public because the area was being used as a storage site during the bridge's renovation. The skateboarding community has attempted to save the banks on multiple occasions; after the city destroyed the smaller banks in the 2000s, the city government agreed to keep the larger banks for skateboarding. When the NYCDOT removed the bricks from the banks in 2020, skateboarders started an online petition.
How long is the bridge between the two towers?
The main span between the two suspension towers is 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m) long and 85 feet (26 m) wide. The bridge "elongates and contracts between the extremes of temperature from 14 to 16 inches". Navigational clearance is 127 ft (38.7 m) above mean high water (MHW). A 1909 Engineering Magazine article said that, at the center of the span, the height above MHW could fluctuate by more than 9 feet (2.7 m) due to temperature and traffic loads, while more rigid spans had a lower maximum deflection.
How many tons of trusses are there on the Brooklyn Bridge?
The trusses allow the Brooklyn Bridge to hold a total load of 18,700 short tons (16,700 long tons), a design consideration from when it originally carried heavier elevated trains. These trusses are held up by suspender ropes, which hang downward from each of the four main cables.
What color was the Brooklyn Bridge painted?
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), which maintains the bridge, says that its original paint scheme was "Brooklyn Bridge Tan" and "Silver", although a writer for The New York Post states that it was originally entirely " Rawlins Red ".
What is the Brooklyn Bridge?
Brooklyn Bridge, suspension bridge spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan in New York City. A brilliant feat of 19th-century engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire, and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time. Since its construction, the bridge has become an essential landmark of New York City—an outstanding architectural accomplishment that is still revered across the world. Accordingly, it has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service.
What bridge was completed in 1883?
New York City: Brooklyn of New York City. Washington Roebling’s Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan (completed 1883) doomed its independent existence, as business interests craved closer ties to the metropolis.
What was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire?
A brilliant feat of 19th-century engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire, and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time.
What is the name of the bridge that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan?
Brooklyn Bridge at night, spanning the East River and connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City.
What are the Brooklyn Bridge towers made of?
The towers are built of limestone, granite, and cement. Its deck, supported by four cables, carries both automobile and pedestrian traffic. A distinctive feature is the broad promenade above the roadway, which John Roebling accurately predicted “in a crowded commercial city will be of incalculable value.”. Brooklyn Bridge, 1898.
What was the symbol of victory on the Brooklyn Bridge?
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Upon its completion, Emily rode the first carriage across from the Brooklyn side, carrying a rooster as a symbol of victory.
Is the Brooklyn Bridge a landmark?
Since its construction, the bridge has become an essential landmark of New York City— an outstanding architectural accomplishment that is still revered across the world. Accordingly, it has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City.
How long did it take to build the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge took fourteen years to build. The original design took approximately three months. Building started in 1869 and ended in 1883. Although architecture was changing at the time, the appearance of the bridge is based on the original designs of the Chief Architect, Joe Roebling.
When was the Brooklyn Bridge built?
The Brooklyn Bridge dates back to 1883 (when it opened) and was the first-of-its-kind steel wire suspension bridge. It has a few unusual attributes in its construction, most especially the bridges signature diagonal wires, which can be seen here in the sides of the image:
Why was the Manhattan Bridge so close to the Brooklyn Bridge?
And the Manhattan Bridge was a separate and more “subway driven” project, ending up relatively close to the Brooklyn Bridge, because its location was restricted to the mouths of subway lines on both the Manhattan and the Brooklyn side.
What lines were used on the Manhattan Bridge?
And since the Manhattan Bridge needed to accommodate specific trains, its path was relatively restricted by the lines that needed service. The BMT (then “ Brooklyn Manhattan Transit ”) lines (currently the N and Q) and the IND (then “ Independent Rapid Transit ”) were both using the bridge.
Why was the Brooklyn Bridge named after the Brooklyn Bridge?
Because it was the first bridge to connect Long Island to Manhattan and it connected Manhattan to Brooklyn, so they named it the Brooklyn Bridge. To be me or accurate, the bridge was originally called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge or the East River Bridge but was officially renamed the Brooklyn Bridge in 1915.
How many tracks does the Williamsburg Bridge have?
The Williamsburg Bridge accommodates train (and originally some trolley) traffic, but is farther away. (It now has two tracks and services the J M Z train. When first constructed, the bridge had four tracks, not two, and serviced streetcar traffic.)
How did John Roebling die?
A boat smashed the toes on one of his feet, and three weeks later he died of tetanus. His 32-year-old son, Washington Roebling, took over as chief engineer. Washington had worked with his father on several bridges and had helped design the Brooklyn Bridge. After Washington was paralyzed by “the bends” he was forced to
Overview
History
Proposals for a bridge between the then-separate cities of Brooklyn and New York had been suggested as early as 1800. At the time, the only travel between the two cities was by a number of ferry lines. Engineers presented various designs, such as chain or link bridges, though these were never built because of the difficulties of constructing a high enough fixed-span bridge across the extr…
Description
The Brooklyn Bridge, an early example of a steel-wire suspension bridge, uses a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge design, with both vertical and diagonal suspender cables. Its stone towers are neo-Gothic, with characteristic pointed arches. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), which maintains the bridge, says that its original paint scheme was "Brooklyn Bridge …
Usage
Horse-drawn carriages have been allowed to use the Brooklyn Bridge's roadways since its opening. Originally, each of the two roadways carried two lanes of a different direction of traffic. The lanes were relatively narrow at only 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. In 1922, motor vehicles were banned from the bridge, while horse-drawn carriages were restricted from the Manhattan Bridge. Thereafter, …
Notable events
There have been several notable jumpers from the Brooklyn Bridge. The first person was Robert Emmet Odlum, brother of women's rights activist Charlotte Odlum Smith, on May 19, 1885. He struck the water at an angle and died shortly afterwards from internal injuries. Steve Brodie supposedly dropped from underneath the bridge in July 1886 and was briefly arrested for it, though ther…
Impact
At the time of construction, contemporaries marveled at what technology was capable of, and the bridge became a symbol of the era's optimism. John Perry Barlow wrote in the late 20th century of the "literal and genuinely religious leap of faith" embodied in the bridge's construction, saying that the "Brooklyn Bridge required of its builders faith in their ability to control technology".
See also
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Brooklyn Bridge trolleys
External links
• Brooklyn Bridge – New York City Department of Transportation
• Brooklyn Bridge at Structurae
• Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. NY-18, "Brooklyn Bridge", 77 photos, 8 color transparencies, 1 measured drawing, 8 data pages, 9 photo caption pages