Wards Island Bridge facts for kids
The Wards Island Bridge, also known as the 103rd Street Footbridge, is a special bridge in New York City. It crosses the Harlem River, connecting Manhattan Island to Wards Island. This bridge is only for people walking or riding bikes, making it a great way to explore the area.
Quick facts for kids Wards Island Bridge |
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Open to allow Weeks 533 to pass underneath, 2010
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| Coordinates | 40°47′11″N 73°56′15″W / 40.786293°N 73.937409°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Harlem River |
| Locale | Manhattan Island and Wards Island, New York |
| Maintained by | New York City Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Vertical lift bridge |
| Total length | 1,247 feet (380 m) |
| Width | 12 feet (3.7 m) |
| Longest span | 312 feet (95 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | May 18, 1951 |
The Wards Island Bridge is a type of bridge called a vertical lift bridge. This means a part of the bridge can move straight up and down. This allows tall boats to pass underneath without hitting the bridge. The bridge is made of strong steel towers and beams called girders.
Contents
Getting to the Bridge
On the Manhattan side, you can find the bridge at East 103rd Street. It's located near Exits 14 and 15 of the FDR Drive. You can reach the bridge from the East River Greenway, which is a path along the river. There's also a special walkway over the FDR Drive. This walkway connects to the East River Houses apartment complex in East Harlem.
Once you cross the bridge, you arrive at the southwest part of Wards Island. From there, you can easily get to the many playing fields. You can also enjoy the beautiful waterfront areas of Randall's Island and Wards Island Parks. The Wards Island Bridge is open all day, every day, all year long. Before 2010, it was only open during the daytime from April to October.
Bridge History
Early Bridges and Plans
The very first bridge to Wards Island was made of wood. It was a drawbridge built in 1807. This bridge connected East 114th Street in Manhattan to the island. It was built for a cotton business but was destroyed by a storm in 1821.
Later, in 1936, people could reach Randalls and Wards Islands using the Triborough Bridge. This bridge was built by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. A famous city planner named Robert Moses wanted to build a separate bridge just for walkers. This would give Manhattan residents better access to the new Wards Island Park. He made plans in 1937, but building the bridge didn't start until 1949.
Building and Opening the Bridge
The Wards Island Bridge was designed by Othmar Hermann Ammann. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When it was first built, it was called the Harlem River Pedestrian Bridge.
The bridge officially opened to people walking on May 18, 1951. It cost about $2.1 million to build. In 1967, bikes were also allowed on the bridge. The bridge was first painted red, yellow, and blue. But in 1986, it was repainted sapphire blue and emerald green.
Changes Over Time
In the 1980s and 1990s, the bridge was closed at night and during winter. This was because people living in the East River Houses had concerns about safety in their neighborhood. They believed that patients from the nearby Manhattan Psychiatric Center were crossing the bridge into Manhattan.
In 1999, the New York City Department of Transportation thought about making the bridge a fixed bridge. This would mean it could no longer lift up. But this idea was put on hold. They needed the bridge to lift so that construction boats could pass for other bridge projects nearby.
The Wards Island Bridge got a big update between 2010 and 2012. Workers replaced the walking path and parts of the steel structure. They also updated the electrical and control systems. The bridge reopened in June 2012. This big renovation cost $16.8 million.
Images for kids
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Open to allow Weeks 533 to pass underneath, 2010
