Ed Koch was added to the name in March 2011. [Bridge Hunter] Another source says the name was changed Dec 8, 2010. The bridge is also known as the 59th Street Bridge.
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| Jose Vicente Sendin posted 1910. Queensborough Bridge [The sailboat and steamer are reminders that 1910 looked a lot different than today. Judging from the low skyline in the background, I assume this was taken from the Manhattan side.] |
Significance: At the time of construction [1901-1909], the Queensboro Bridge contained the longest cantilever span in America. (And it "was designed for heavier loads than any other bridges." [NYCDOT] "With a total length of 7,449 feet [including approaches], at the time of its completion it was the fourth longest bridge in the world." [study])
Specifications: Cantilever Bridge; steel construction; channel spans of 1,182 feet and 942 feet, two anchor spans of 630 feet, shore arms of 469 and 459 feet; cantilever trusses 60 feet apart.
[HAERdata from ny0326]
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Angel Rios postedNew York City photo of Roosevelt Island & Queensboro Bridge.Photo Image Date: January 6, 1937 Photographer/Credit: U.S. Army Air Forces / RMP Archive Bridges Now and Then shared |
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| Skip Schultz commented to show the small bridge that has been added to allow cars to access the island. |
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| NYCDOT [It appears that reconstruction work has been ongoing since 1978. It seems the major work was done in the 1990s. The current contract (6) consists of misc. work.] |
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| Olden Heritage posted Queensboro Bridge, also known as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, stood as a marvel of modern engineering, connecting Manhattan to Queens. Officially opened in 1909, the bridge was designed by Gustav Lindenthal and Henry Hornbostel, with contributions from engineer Leffert L. Buck. The bridge’s completion was an important milestone in the city's rapid expansion, facilitating easier access between the boroughs and relieving the pressure on the overcrowded ferry systems. The double-decked cantilever structure stretches across the East River, offering a stunning view of Manhattan’s emerging skyline at the time. In its early years, the Queensboro Bridge was a crucial part of the growing transportation network, serving trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, and early motor vehicles. Its construction took over six years, and despite various delays and challenges, it became one of the longest cantilever bridges in North America. At the time the bridge was completed, the area surrounding its Manhattan end—near 59th Street—was still developing, with factories and industrial buildings scattered around. However, the bridge sparked further residential and commercial growth, particularly in Queens, making it more accessible for commuters and fostering the borough’s transformation into a vital part of New York City. Although overshadowed by the grandeur of other bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge remains an iconic and essential structure in New York's history. Dave Frieder: Queensborough Bridge 1 The bridge is physically closer to 60th Street 2 There is only one small entrance from 59th street that takes you to the one lane South outer roadway. 3 Most traffic enters and exits from 2nd Ave. in Manhattan. 4 There are No signs anywhere in New York City that state 59th Street bridge. 5 As per the song by Simon and Garfunkel, cobblestone could be anywhere in the world and there is not one mention of any bridge in the song. 6 It is a QUEENS bridge, as the name states Queensboro Bridge. The First major bridge to connect the Borough of Manhattan with the Borough of Queens. 7 Manhattan already has its OWN bridge, The Manhattan Bridge. Josh Jay Way: It used to have an elevator to Roosevelt Island |
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| Joseph Chiara commented on the above post |
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| Dave Frieder commented on the above post Hornbostel was just the Architect. Lindenthal was not the solo design Engineer. There were others involved. This is the only Double Cantilever Truss bridge in NYC. Climbed and photographed it many times!!!!! |
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| John Powers posted 59th Street Bridge, NY (aka Ed Koch Memorial Bridge) |
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| Olden Heritage posted The Queensboro Bridge, also known as the 59th Street Bridge, was a significant engineering achievement of its time, completed in 1909 after five years of construction. Designed to connect Long Island City in Queens with the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the bridge spans the East River, passing over Roosevelt Island. Its construction, costing around $18 million, came at a high human cost, with an estimated 50 workers losing their lives during the project. Initially, the upper level of the bridge included two pedestrian walkways and two elevated railway tracks. These tracks linked to the Second Avenue Elevated Line in Manhattan, providing an essential transit route to the Queensboro Plaza station in Queens. This upper-level setup catered to both foot traffic and rail, reflecting the bridge’s multifaceted role in connecting boroughs and supporting the rapid urbanization of Queens. However, as the city grew and transportation needs evolved, adjustments were made. In 1931, three lanes of roadway were installed on the bridge's southern side, replacing one of the pedestrian walkways, making way for more automotive traffic as cars became increasingly common. Service on the Second Avenue Elevated Line ended in 1942, marking the end of an era for the bridge’s rail function. By the mid-1950s, New York's infrastructural demands had shifted, leading to further modifications. Between 1955 and 1958, two additional lanes were added to the upper level to accommodate rising traffic volumes, along with the construction of upper-level ramps on the Queens end, enhancing the bridge's capacity. Today, the Queensboro Bridge stands as a reminder of early 20th-century urban planning, reflecting the city's transition from pedestrian and rail traffic to an automobile-focused infrastructure. John Deasy: Streetcar service across the bridge (lower level, outer shelf) ended in spring of 1957. It was the last streetcar line in the state of NY at the time of its closure. Dave Frieder: ORIGINAL name was The Blackwell's Island bridge. Opened to traffic on March 30th 1909. George Leroy Tyrebyter: Roosevelt Island was originally called Welfare Island. Myron Siegel: George Leroy Tyrebyter Before is was Welfare Island, it was Blackwell's Island. https://www.nps.gov/.../blackwell-s-island-new-york-city.htm |
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| Dave Frieder commented on the above post One of my thousands of views. From the top of the Trusswork. |
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| Photo from HAER NY,31-NEYO,160--1 from ny0326, 1983 LONG DISTANCE VIEW OF BRIDGE LOOKING TOWARDS MANHATTAN WITH MIDTOWN ON THE RIGHT - Queensboro Bridge, Spanning East river & Blackwell's Island, New York County, NY |
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| eBook, p670 |
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| UntappedCities |
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| Travel to the Past posted Queensboro Bridge Under Construction: From Blueprint to Reality in Early 20th Century New York City When it opened in 1909, the Queensboro Bridge featured the two longest steel cantilever spans globally at the time—spanning 1,182 feet from Manhattan to Blackwell’s Island and 984 feet from Blackwell’s Island to Queens. These impressive spans held the record as the longest cantilever spans in the world until the Quebec Bridge was completed in 1917. The bridge itself stretches over an impressive total length of 3,724.5 feet. In its original design, the Queensboro Bridge accommodated two elevated railway lines, two trolley lines, six lanes for carriages, and two pedestrian walkways. |
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| eBook, p670 |
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| eBook, p671 |
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| Bridges Now and Then posted "Queensboro Bridge Under Construction, New York City, 1908." (Monovisions) Historic NYC posted View of the Queensboro Bridge under construction from Long Island City. (1909) |
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| Neil Califano commented on the above post Today: |
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| Dave Frieder commented on the above post The Bridge's Original name was Blackwell's Island Bridge. Because of the institutions on back then Blackwell's island the bridge was renamed Queensboro Bridge as the people in the area did not want the bridge associated with the institutions. First major bridge to directly connect the Borough of Manhattan with the Borough of Queens. |
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| Dave Frieder commented on the above post Opened to traffic and pedestrians on March 30th 1909. Dedicated and Celebrated beginning June 12th, 1909. |
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| Photo |
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| Welcome to New York posted Old school entry into Manhattan: Queensboro Bridge. Photo by Mingomatic New York Top Photo posted Old school entry into Manhattan: Queensboro Bridge. Photo by Mingomatic |
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| New York 365 posted Queensborough bridge, NYC 📸: [instagram.com/opoline] |
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| I Love USA posted Queensboro Bridge Queens-Manhattan 📸mingomatic John Deasy: At the bottom of the photo you can see an abandoned trackway from where the Second Avenue Elevated Line crossed the upper level of the bridge to/from Queensboro Plaza station. Service ended in June 1942. |
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| Manhattan Railway Company photo (source) A downtown 2nd Ave consist of Gate Cars coming off the Queensborough Bridge. Photo: NYC.gov/records |
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| LC-DIG-highsm- 53137 Credit line: Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Carol M. Highsmith's photographs are in the public domain. |
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| Bridges Now and Then posted On the outer lane of the Queensboro Bridge, New York City, late 1985. (Matt Weber) |
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| Bridges Now and Then posted |
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| Dave Frieder commented on BN&T's post A view of one of the former spiral Staircases that take you to the Lower Observation Balconies. Now the ONLY way to access them is a special way to climb through the Box Beams. |
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| Dave commented on his comment One of my views from climbing through the box beams. 1997. |
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| Screenshot (source, comments provide three photos of streetcars on the bridge) Train Crossing Over The Queensboro Bridge circa 1930s Manhattan Bound. Mike Henglein NYCT Trains run on this bridge on the lower deck with automobile traffic on top deck. Tommy Risi Was the other way around when 2nd Avenue El trains ran over the 59th Street/Queensborough Bridge. Trains were on the upper level, and automobile traffic was on the lower level. |
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