The Crossing (Partial) – Brooklyn Bridge

 

It was on my list of things to see in New York on my last trip there, and I wasn’t going to skip it.  The Brooklyn Bridge links lower Manhattan and Brooklyn (that’s obvious) along with the Manhattan Bridge to the north, and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge.  The bridge aligns latitude-wise with New York City Hall.  It has a unique redundant structure, incorporating multiple technologies that normally are used solely on other bridges – suspension system, diagonal stay system, and stiffening truss.

Pedestrian travel and bicycle travel across the bridge is on a higher level than the roadway traffic, providing an elevated view that provides a good vantage point to see Manhattan and surroundings.  The elevated pathway is striped to provide separation of pedestrians and bicyclists, so you have to be aware of your surroundings when walking and taking photos!

The energy toll that New York takes on you as a pedestrian and transit user is very noticeable as you ascend the bridge and determine if you can cross all the way.  So, leave time to do this walk.  I crossed to the first tower from Manhattan, after visiting Chelsea and the waterfront piers and High Line, the World Trade Center, and Wall Street.  This was too much for one day, to still try and cross the bridge all of the way to Brooklyn, but I am still glad that I got to see so much that day!

 

 

The era of the bridge is obvious in elements you can see up and close and touch,
such as massive numbers of rivets and bolts.

 

Vehicle traffic below and pedestrians and bicyclists above, during the evening commute.
The two bridge towers have wrap around platforms that provide interesting vantage points.

 

Both rail and vehicles used the bridge in the old days, but the pedestrian pathway has always been a part of the bridge.  The limestone and granite-laden towers are amazing up close, and the geometry of the overhead arches is a photographer’s dream.  You can see on most days out to the south end of New York Harbor, to the much-taller Verazano (actually, Verazzano!) bridge, as well as up and down the river and the center of Brooklyn to the east.  All with the calm but wide East River below you.  You feel like you are a real part of New York, and a real part of local history, when you are up there.  At least that’s how my mind wanders when visiting landmarks like this.

 

The birth date of the bridge at 1875 can be seen on the bridge towers, along with the
ornate cable structure and rock work covering the grand structure.

 

 

Looking straight up at the west tower in this photo – watch the bicyclists!
…And the fast New Yorker walkers!

 

 

The bridge breathes history.

 

It is said that the Manhattan Bridge provides better views of Manhattan, and I can see why after visiting the Brooklyn Bridge.  But still, to be able to see the buildings of Lower Manhattan, Wall Street, and the One World Trade Center tower peaking out over from the west side of the island, the views are nothing to shake a (walking) stick at.  I targeted the trip to the bridge to be around sunset, to try my best at getting that golden light, but also to see Manhattan lit up.  I hit the bridge a little early, but that’s OK because the East River was kicking up some cool April winds, and at night time it would have been difficult to be up there without heavier and more burdensome clothing for traveling on foot all around the area.

 

Looking west toward the setting sun, Lower Manhattan, and the
One World Trade Center tower.  Wall Street is to the south.

 

Looking to south toward Wall Street.  Little Italy and Chinatown
areas are in the opposite direction.

 

The venerable centers of New York politics.  

 

A must see when in New York.  Next time, I will get all the way across and explore Brooklyn more.  The Prospect Park area of Brooklyn is great – the Brooklyn Library is there along with the zoo – but that probably requires a hop on the subway from the east side of the bridge.

 

One of my beloved travel companions on that trip.  

 

The City Hall subway station is served by lines N, R, and W, and the eastern landing of the bridge is approximately one-third of a mile walk from there.  The Chambers Street subway station is about one-half of a mile away, giving access to the 1,2,and 3 lines to reach mid-town, Times Square, and other locales along those lines.