(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023;
Historic Bridges;
HAER;
Satellite)
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HAER NY,31-NEYO,162--2
2. VIEW OF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BRIDGE WITH MANHATTAN IN THE BACKGROUND - Washington Bridge, Spanning Harlem River at One-hundred-eighty-first, New York County, NY
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"Two-span steel arch; total length, 2,375 feet [724m]; 141 feet [43m] above normal water; two central spans of 510 feet [155m]; result of design competition; 3,342 tons of steel; cost $2.85 million; arched masonry approach spans" [
HAER_data]
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New York History posted
Washington Bridge and Harlem River Speedway, in Washington Heights, New York (1901) In 1901, the Washington Bridge, spanning the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx, was a vital link for transportation. Below the bridge, the Harlem River Speedway attracted horse and carriage enthusiasts, who would race along the riverbank in Washington Heights. This scenic area was a favorite retreat for New Yorkers seeking an escape from the city’s crowded streets. The Washington Bridge, with its elegant arches and impressive length, provided not only a connection between boroughs but also stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape. |
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Larry Demers commented on the above post, cropped
Circa 1904. Postcard from the original photo. |
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Jeffrey Gluck posted
Washington Bridge |
It would have cost almost $100m in 2023 dollars.
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Bridges Now and Then posted and Google eBook, p164, rotated
New York City's Washington Bridge over the Harlem River, March 23, 1888. (Historic Bridges) |
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| Tom Venditto commented on the above post |
The length of the main spans exceeds those of the Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, a bridge that is often considered the most impressive steel-arch bridge of its time. Each of the main spans is actually made up of six parallel arches that carry the traffic loads to the masonry foundations.
The designs submitted to the competition were:
- Suspension bridge with an 800-foot-long main span; designed by William J. McAlpine.
- Cantilever-arch bridge with a 428-foot-long main span, two 250-foot-long side spans and steel-viaduct approaches; designed by William J. McAlpine.
- Steel-and-masonry arch bridge with a main 543-foot-long steel-arch span, flanked by masonry side spans and approaches; designed by Buck and McNulty.
- Masonry-arch bridge with three 350-foot-long main spans; designed by Union Bridge Company.
- Steel-arch bridge with two 510-foot-long main spans and masonry approaches; designed by C.C. Schneider.
This photo shows a segment of the arch being lifted into place.
Note the hole in the falsework to allow boats to pass through.
The Alexander Hamilton Bridge is framed by the Washington Bridge and the
High Bridge is in the left background.
Historic Bridges notes that the ornate railings have been retained.
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