Williamsburg Bridge
From nycsubway.org
R-42 no. 4709 leads a J train across the Williamsburg Bridge in July 2008. Photo by John Barnes.
| BMT Nassau Street-Jamaica Line Williamsburg Bridge · Metropolitan Avenue · Queens Boulevard · Sutphin Boulevard · 160th Street · 168th Street |
Leaving Essex Street we approach the Williamsburg Bridge which has two tracks in the center of the bridge. The bridge opened to elevated train and streetcar traffic in 1909. According to city engineers the bridge really three bridges in one: the bridge to Manhattan, the transit structure, and the bridge to Brooklyn. A new walkway, ADA compliant, is being installed. At the Brooklyn side, there is a long viaduct with S-curve into the Marcy Ave. station. Before arriving at Marcy, there is steelwork for the long-demolished Broadway Ferry spur. A tower is also at this location. Between May 1, 1999 and September 5, 1999, the bridge was closed to subway trains while the transit structure was demolished and totally rebuilt.
Links
The Bridge Builder's Triumph (Williamsburg Bridge) (1902). A 1902 article about the construction of the Williamsburg Bridge, which would become a vital rapid transit link between Manhattan and Brooklyn, carrying both streetcars and subway trains.
Photo Gallery
 Image 2353 (157k, 1024x665) Collection of: Joe Testagrose Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 24884 (112k, 820x620) Photo by: Richard Panse Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 24901 (101k, 820x620) Photo by: Richard Panse Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 30988 (209k, 955x634) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Williamsburg Bridge Plaza |
 Image 31027 (161k, 1024x693) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Williamsburg Bridge Plaza |
 Image 31057 (149k, 1024x689) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Williamsburg Bridge Plaza |
 Image 31097 (143k, 1024x689) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Williamsburg Bridge Plaza |
 Image 31104 (143k, 1024x693) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Williamsburg Bridge Plaza |
 Image 48778 (264k, 1024x684) Photo by: Chris Leverett Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 53316 (232k, 1024x613) Photo by: Munsey's Magazine, 1902 Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 88464 (275k, 1044x788) Photo by: John Barnes Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 88810 (369k, 1044x699) Photo by: John Barnes Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 89231 (324k, 1044x699) Photo by: John Barnes Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 113460 (160k, 1024x653) Collection of: George Conrad Collection Location: Williamsburg Bridge |
 Image 136342 (255k, 1024x739) Photo by: Ed Watson/Arthur Lonto Collection Collection of: Frank Pfuhler Location: Williamsburg Bridge |