Manhattan Bridge, Spanning East River at Flatbush Avenue, between New York City & Brooklyn, New York, New York County, NY
Summary
Significance: This single span suspension bridge contains one of the longest suspension spans in the U.S., and had the largest carrying capacity in the country when it was built. It is unusual in that it was designed as a dual-level bridge; carrying street-cars on the upper level and subway tracks on the lower, with roadways in the center of each level. The approaches to the bridge were designed by Carrere and Hastings, and incorporated allegorical figures of Manhattan and Brooklyn by Daniel Chester French, which have since been removed to the Brooklyn Museum.
Survey number: HAER NY-127
Building/structure dates: 1909 Initial Construction
New York Subway Historic Photos
The history of New York City's transportation system. New York City is distinguished from other U.S. cities for its low personal automobile ownership and its significant use of public transportation. New York is the only city in the United States where over half of all households do not own a car (Manhattan's non-ownership is even higher, around 75%; nationally, the rate is 8%). New York City has, by far, the highest rate of public transportation use of any American city. New York City also has the longest mean travel time for commuters (39 minutes) among major U.S. cities. The Second Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the city – the port infrastructure grew at such a rapid pace after the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal that New York became the most important connection between all of Europe and the interior of the United States. Elevated trains and subterranean transportation ('El trains' and 'subways') were introduced between 1867 and 1904. Private automobiles brought an additional change for the city by around 1930, notably the 1927 Holland Tunnel.
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