Roosevelt Island Bridge — Attraction in New York

Nice little bridge from Queens Long Island City area entrance to the Roosevelt Island. Great view of Long Island city, Astoria, tip of the Bronx, and Manhattan skyline.

The Roosevelt Island Bridge is a tower drive vertical lift bridge that connects Roosevelt Island in Manhattan to Astoria in Queens, crossing the East Channel of the East River. It is the sole route to the island for vehicular and foot traffic (without using public transportation).

The bridge has a sidewalk on the north side for foot traffic, and separate car and bike lanes in each direction. On the Roosevelt Island side, the sidewalk leads to the garage staircase, while the bike lanes merge into the car lanes and use the car ramp for island access. On the Queens side, the bike lanes marge into the Vernon Boulevard bike lanes.

Construction of the bridge began on March 17, 1952, at a cost of $6.5 million. It opened on May 18, 1955, as the Welfare Island Bridge. The name was changed to the Roosevelt Island Bridge in 1973.

When the bridge is open it provides ships with 100 feet (30 m) of vertical clearance. It is 40 feet (12 m) wide, and its total length, including approaches, is 2,877 feet (877 m). The main span is 418 feet (127 m).

Before the bridge was constructed, the only way vehicles could access Roosevelt Island was via an elevator on the Queensboro Bridge. The elevator was subsequently demolished in 1970.

The Roosevelt Island Bridge provides direct access to the Motorgate Parking Garage, which was designed to minimize vehicular traffic on the island. The garage was completed in 1974 and later expanded in 1990.

In 2001, the New York City Department of Transportation considered converting the Roosevelt Island Bridge into a fixed bridge to reduce the cost of its maintenance. The bridge is rarely opened, because most vessels passing by Roosevelt Island use the West Channel of the East River. Most of the bridge openings occur in September during the General Assembly at the United Nations when the West Channel is closed for...

This is one bridge in the city I refuse to ride my bike over again. Whoever designed this bridge must of did it with their eyes closed. The see through grates creates a non stop nightmare for those who have phobias of the ocean staring up at them. I don't know how those weak looking grates hold up a cars weight or even a van/truck. The designer of this bridge did a lousy job. At any given moment those weak looking grates don't look durable enough to last many years thru wear and tear. They should renovate this bridge to reinforce all concrete instead of only towards the end of the bridge!! This's is the DUMBEST IDEA FOR A BRIDGE VERY UNSAFE LOOKING TO SAY THE LEAST. Only a fool would look at it and laugh like a dummy about how it's safe because they rode over it a million...

The Roosevelt Island Bridge:

Construction Started and Opening Date: 1952 and May 18, 1955. Connection: Connects Roosevelt Island to Queens over the East River in New York City. Length: 2,877 feet (877 meters). Pedestrian Walkways: Yes, pedestrian walkways are available. Main Material: Steel. Type of Bridge: Vertical lift bridge. Owner and Fees: Owned by the New York City Department of Transportation. No toll for vehicles, pedestrians,...