The Manhattan Bridge

On June 25, 2001, the bike and pedestrian path on the Manhattan Bridge was reopened after being closed for 40 years. The photos below were taken on May 25 (ribbon cutting) and June 25 (opening day).

A View from the (Brooklyn) Bridge

The Manhattan (west) tower of the Manhattan Bridge, looking north from the Manhattan tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo 1 was taken May 25, when the tower was still sheathed for construction. By June 25, the tower was uncovered (Photo 2).

The Anchorages

Unlike the Brooklyn Bridge, where the bike/ped path is above the anchorages (where the suspension cables are anchored to the bridge structure), the path on the Manhattan Bridge goes through the anchorages. These photos were taken at the Manhattan anchorage.

Photo 3--The thick suspenstion cable curves 90 degrees into the anchorage.

Photo 4--The columns on the exterior of the anchorage give the structure a temple or monument-like feel.

Photo 5--Looking east at the Manhattan tower.

The Towers

At each tower, the path bulges out to proide a natural viewing area. This should help reduce crowding on the narrower sections of the path. The chainlink fence is held to wooden 4x4's with what looks like coat-hanger wire. I suspect this will be replaced.

Photo 6--Looking straight up at the tower. The towers look freshly painted, and are quite ornate.

Photo 7--The "platform" area is fairly large. Twenty well-behaved people could stand here without blocking the path.

Photo 8--The only bumps on the path are the covers over the expansions joints (painted white). There are two joints at each tower. They are not nearly as bad as the old joints on the 59th St. Bridge.

Photo 9--Looking up the path toward midspan from the Brooklyn tower.

Photo 10--Looking south, toward the Brooklyn Bridge. The views from the Brooklyn tower are spectacular.

The Brooklyn End

The end of the path on the Brooklyn side. You can see where the path may go in the future (Photo 11). For now, there are 23 steps that lead down to Jay St. (Photo 12).

Photos of the Brooklyn Entrance

A new page with photos of the Brooklyn entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, as well as info on the best approaches. Take me there!

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john.henderson@nyu.edu

Updated 26 Jun 2001