Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most spectacular ways to see the New York skyline, Brooklyn skyline, the East River and The Statue of Liberty. Depending on the time of day, the pedestrian traffic and one’s pace, the walk time ranges from a quarter to three quarter of an hour. When this writer walked the Brooklyn Bridge in February, the buffeting winds made it a much longer walk from the Brooklyn side.
Spectacular views plus a history lesson
The bridge is just over a mile long and a pedestrian walkway extends over the roadway allowing walkers to hear and see the vehicle traffic beneath them. Several viewing platforms allow one to stop and enjoy the views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and river sights from differing perspectives.. Also, there are memorial plaques and illustrations of the bridge’s engineering and construction. Pedestrian and cyclist access is easy and the walk itself is considered "easy to moderate" by the NYC Tourism website. Only the inclines at each end prove to be more than just an easy stroll.
Though walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a scenic tour, it is also a walk back into history. Designed by John Roebling, construction of the bridge took thirteen years. Completed in 1883, the structure was considered an architectural wonder. In 1964, the bridge was named a National Historic Landmark. From the iconic arches at either end, the bridge is a marvel of design and engineering. The ached towers reach 159 feet above the roadway. The granite used in the towers came from the same quarry that supplied granite for the Tombs prison.
Shovels, hydraulic jacks, steel, monetary and human costs
The excavations for the footings of the towers were done by shovels, pickaxes and hydraulic jacks. Blasting was done to excavate to reach the depth of 44 and a half feet beneath the water of the East River at neap tide. Between twenty and thirty workers died during the bridge’s construction and Irish workers protested when the bridge was opened on Queen Victoria’s birthday.
The cost of the bridge’s construction was just over $15, 000,000. At the time of the bridge’s completion, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Four steel cables—15 feet in diameter suspend the bridge. Using steel was a revolutionary construction material in the late 19th century. Unfortunately, faulty wire was discovered in 1887, but the situation was rectified.
Thousands of pedestrians cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily. Be sure to be one of the crowd when in the Big Apple. Cross back into the city’s history as you cross the bridge.
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