Happy 125th Birthday, Brooklyn Bridge

by jordan | May 24, 2008 at 12:03 pm | 723 views | 9 comments

A masterwork of engineering. An icon of an American city. A vital urban artery. A superb photo op. Yes, the Brooklyn Bridge turns the big one-two-five this weekend, and New York is celebrating.

In 1883, Brooklyn (then a separate city) was officially linked to Manhattan as the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public. In the thirteen years it took for the bridge to get built, the project claimed the life of its the designer, John Augustus Roebling, and struck his son, Washington, with the bends. Indeed, Washington directed the final stages of construction from his bed, with plans and information carried by his wife, Emily, who would be the first person to cross the gigantic span. (I heard that Washington Roebling never actually got to see the finished bridge, but that may just be urban legend)

The Brooklyn Bridge is ridiculously strong, future-proofed in the design phase against six times the expected wind force and load capacity. So forgetaboutit.

Vital statistics:

Length of river span: 1595.5 feet

Total length of bridge: 5989 feet
Width of bridge floor: 85 feet
Suspension cables: four, each 15.75 inches in diameter and 3578.5 feet long, containing 5434 wires each, for a total length of 3515 miles of wire per cable
Foundation depth below high water, Brooklyn: 44 feet 6 inches
Foundation depth below high water, Manhattan: 78 feet 6 inches
Tower height above high water: 276 feet 6 inches
Roadway height above high water: 119 feet (at towers)
Total weight, not including masonry: 14,680 tons

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paulrharris33

at 12:54 on May 24th, 2008

Although I lived in New York from 1965-1970, I never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. On a subsequent trip I took a subway to the other side and walking back to Manhattan took this picture. I continued walking across the island. It is the only way to see a city.

paulrharris33 has contributed a photo to this story.

Jabba84

at 13:22 on May 24th, 2008

This was shot on the second night of the anniversary celebration. Lots of people were there to watch a film down by the water on the Brooklyn side, while the colored lights on the bridge were synched to the movie.

Jabba84 has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

at 19:42 on May 24th, 2008

good stuff:

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff. I remember in the Terminal at Grand Central as a young Canadian soldier on my way to Quantico, VA, a man looking like SuperFly, approached me and for a small investment, today I could have been the proud owner of that very same Bridge, but officers pay being what it was, I could not afford such a future pension investment as a bridge owner. But my folks own some oceanfront property in Panama City Fla, so they must have had a different investment advisor.

GoldenNigzRong

at 21:36 on May 24th, 2008

It was the second night of the week long 125th Birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was my first time in the area and the view was amazing, and I was inspired to take the photo

GoldenNigzRong has contributed a photo to this story.

amyjudd

at 00:41 on May 25th, 2008

good stuff:

jordan, I like this story. I've always loved the Brooklyn Bridge but have yet to see it in the flesh.

Swapnil Acharya

at 13:34 on May 25th, 2008

good stuff:

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff.

timon310

at 12:44 on May 30th, 2008

I am 51 years old, was born and raised in New York City and with the exception of four years have worked all of my adult life in Manhattan. This photo, taken the day after the Brooklyn Bridge's 125th anniversary, was the first time I ever walked across the bridge. Thanks to light traffic on the Friday of a 3 day weekend I arrived in downtown Manhattan earlier than normal. Having the time and with the weather being so beautiful that morning I decided to stroll across the bridge and back. Doing so allowed me to get this shot. I'm so glad I did.

timon310 has contributed a photo to this story.