Arthur Kill Bridge facts for kids

The Arthur Kill Bridge was an important railroad bridge. It connected Staten Island, New York to New Jersey. This bridge crossed the Arthur Kill waterway. It was built in 1888 and used until 1959. A new bridge, the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge, replaced it. For many years, this bridge was the only land connection to Staten Island.

Building a Bridge: The Idea

For a long time, people could only reach Staten Island by ferry or private boat. During the American Revolutionary War, a temporary bridge was built. But after that, ferries were the main way to travel. Regular ferry service to Manhattan started in 1810.

Early Bridge Plans

As early as 1850, some people wanted a bridge to Bayonne, New Jersey. But many people who lived on Staten Island full-time did not agree. In 1870, the New York State Legislature (the state's law-making group) approved a plan. This plan was for a swing bridge from New Brighton, Staten Island to Ellis Island. A company was even given permission to build it. However, they ran out of money, so the project stopped.

Railroad Bridge Idea

The idea for a railroad bridge over the Arthur Kill came up around 1886. Erastus Wiman, a businessman, was the head of the Staten Island Railway. He convinced the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (a big train company) to pay for the bridge. In return, the railroad could use Wiman's train facilities on Staten Island.

Choosing the Location

In 1886, a group called the Board of Army Engineers for Fortifications held a meeting. They wanted to decide the best place for the new bridge. This bridge had just been approved by the United States Congress (the U.S. government's law-making body). Representatives from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Erastus Wiman spoke in favor of the bridge.

However, some people were against the proposed location. They included a senator representing the Pennsylvania Railroad and a person from a boat company. They wanted a higher bridge, about 70 feet (21 meters) tall. They suggested building it about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the planned spot. The Board then reported their findings to the United States Secretary of War (a top government official).

Bridge Design and History

An early drawing of the proposed bridge from 1885.

Charles Ackenheit, the chief engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, designed the approved bridge. It cost about $500,000 to build. Construction took place from 1887 to 1889. The bridge officially opened on January 1, 1890, with a special ceremony. It was sometimes called the "Achter Kill Bridge." When it was finished, it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world.

How the Bridge Worked

This bridge was a swing-span railroad bridge. This means a part of it could swing open to let boats pass. It connected the Howland Hook area of Staten Island to Elizabeth, New Jersey. From there, trains could connect to other Baltimore and Ohio lines.

The middle part of the bridge was 500 feet (152 meters) long. It also had two fixed side sections, each 150 feet (46 meters) long. This made the total length of the bridge 800 feet (244 meters). The bridge was only 32 feet (9.8 meters) above the Arthur Kill at low tide. This low height meant the bridge had to open often for ships. This was especially true after the waterway was made deeper. For example, in 1952, the bridge had to open 13,346 times for ships to pass! Two steam-powered engines moved the swing span. In foggy weather, a steam whistle would blow twice if the bridge was closed. It would blow four times if the bridge was open.

Who Used the Bridge?

The Arthur Kill Bridge was mainly used for freight trains, which carry goods. There was no regular passenger train service. However, during World War I and World War II, many troop trains used the bridge. They carried soldiers heading to Europe to ships waiting at Staten Island's port.

A very special train crossed the bridge in October 1957. It carried Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip! They were traveling from Washington, D.C. to the Staten Island Ferry during a visit to the United States.

End of an Era

In late 1952, strong winds turned the swing span. It got stuck and could not close for some time. At other times, ships crashed into the bridge. There were also cases where boats collided while trying to pass under it. By the 1950s, people thought the bridge was old-fashioned. It was also considered dangerous for boats.

A new bridge, the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge, was built nearby. It was about 150 feet (46 meters) away from the old bridge. The U.S. government paid most of the cost for the new bridge. The new bridge's center section was 58 feet (18 meters) longer. It also had no center support in the water. Plus, its clearance was more than 100 feet (30 meters) higher than the old bridge. The new bridge opened in August 1959. After that, the old Arthur Kill Bridge was taken down. Its strong stone supports had to be blasted away.