Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (New York City, New York)

Originally christened Blackwell’s Island Bridge, and intended to link Manhattan’s Harlem Line with the Long Island Railroad, the colossal, two-decked Queensboro Bridge is one of the greatest cantilever bridges in the history of American bridge design. It opened March 30, 1909 with 7449 feet in length.

A collaboration between the famed bridge engineer Gustav Lindenthal (1850-1935) and architect Henry Hornbostel, the Queensboro’s massive, silver-painted trusses span the East River between 59th Street in Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens and offer spectacular views of midtown Manhattan, highlighted by the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the United Nations.

Often referred to as the 59th Street Bridge, the Queensboro’s completion preceded that of the Manhattan Bridge by nine months. The bridge has been immortalized by numerous artists and musicians, including Simon & Garfunkel in their hit song, "The 59th Street Bridge Song/Feelin’ Groovy.", and in the opening credits of the 1980s TV sitcom "Taxi".

In December 2010, the city announced that the bridge would be renamed in honor of former Mayor Ed Koch from the Queensboro Bridge to the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The renaming decision was unpopular among Queens residents and business leaders, and many locals continue to refer to the bridge by its older name.

This bridge is FREE, so ask your cabbie to take it when heading to upper or mid-Manhattan from LaGuardia Airport.

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/bridges.html#queensb...
hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.c041991257?urlappend=%3Bseq=21%...
Categories: NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, road bridge, movie / film / TV location, cantilever bridge
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Coordinates:  40°45'21"N 73°57'8"W
This article was last modified 11 months ago