Green Island Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green Island Bridge |
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View from the north
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| Coordinates | 42°44′7.66″N 73°41′23.12″W / 42.7354611°N 73.6897556°W |
| Carries | 4 traffic lanes of NY 915B |
| Crosses | Hudson River |
| Locale | Village of Green Island and City of Troy, New York |
| Official name | Green Island-Troy Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Green Island-Troy Bridge |
| Maintained by | New York State Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 1095910 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Vertical-lift bridge |
| History | |
| Opened | September 12, 1981 |
The Green Island Bridge is a bridge in New York. It crosses the Hudson River, connecting the village of Green Island with the city of Troy. This bridge opened on September 12, 1981.
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Bridge History: Connecting Green Island and Troy
The Green Island Bridge has a long and interesting history. Over the years, several different bridges have stood in this spot, each facing its own challenges.
The First Wooden Bridge (1832-1862)
The very first Green Island Bridge was built in 1832. It was a wooden bridge, covered like a tunnel, and used by the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad.
On May 10, 1862, sparks from a train set it on fire. The bridge quickly burned and fell into the river. Burning pieces of the bridge floated down the river. This put steamboats and other boats in danger. The fire, pushed by strong winds, also spread to downtown Troy. It destroyed more than 500 buildings. After this big fire, a second wooden bridge was built to replace it.
The Steel Railroad Bridge (1884-1977)
In 1884, a new steel railroad bridge replaced the second wooden one. This steel bridge was actually two bridges side-by-side. They were owned by the Delaware and Hudson Railway.
In 1924-1925, a special part called a lift span was added. This part could be raised to let ships pass underneath on the river.
Rail service in Troy ended on July 27, 1963. After this, the bridge was changed so cars could use it. Before then, the northern part was for trains. The southern part was a toll bridge for cars, trolleys, and people walking.
Bridge Collapse in 1977
This steel bridge had a big problem on March 15, 1977. Heavy rains and melting snow caused a flood. The floodwaters washed away the ground under the lift span's support pier. This caused the western lift tower and part of the road to fall into the Hudson River.
The Current Green Island Bridge (1981-Today)
The bridge you see today opened about four and a half years after the collapse. It opened on September 12, 1981. Building this new bridge cost over $23 million.
The current Green Island Bridge is a vertical lift bridge. This means a section of the bridge can be lifted straight up. This allows tall boats to pass underneath. However, it is only lifted sometimes for river traffic. The two tall metal structures on either side of the road hold the heavy counterweights and the lifting machines.
This lift bridge connects Troy with Center Island. Center Island used to be known as Starbuck Island. There is another bridge that connects Center Island to the village of Green Island. The village of Green Island is no longer a true island.
