Greenpoint Avenue Bridge

Greenpoint Avenue Bridge

From Brooklyn
Official name J. J. Byrne Memorial Bridge
Crosses Newtown Creek
Locale Brooklyn and Queens, in New York City
Maintained by New York City Department of Transportation
Design Bascule bridge
Width 70 feet (21 m)
Longest span 180 feet (55 m)
Clearance below 26 feet (7.9 m)
Opened 1987
Daily traffic 26,926 (2008)[1]

The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge is a drawbridge that carries Greenpoint Avenue across Newtown Creek between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Blissville, Queens. Greenpoint Avenue continues eastward into Queens where it connects to Roosevelt Avenue.

Also known as the J. J. Byrne Memorial Bridge, the bridge is named after James J. Byrne, who served as Brooklyn Borough President from September 1926 until he died in office on March 14, 1930. Previously, Byrne was the Brooklyn Commissioner of Public Works.[2]

The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge is the sixth bridge to cross Newtown Creek in this location. In the 1850s, Neziah Bliss built the first drawbridge, which was called the Blissville Bridge. It was followed by three other bridges before being replaced by a new bridge in March 1900.[3] A new bridge opened in 1929 and after suffering from mechanical problems it was replaced by the current structure in 1987.[4]

Designed by Hardesty & Hanover, the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge was the recipient of an American Institute of Steel Construction Award in 1991.[5]

On March 30, 2009, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a press conference at the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, announcing that it would receive $6 million in federal stimulus funds, which will be used to rehabilitate the bridge.[6]

External links

References

  1. ^ "New York City Bridge Traffic Volumes 2008" (PDF). New York City Department of Transportation. March 2010. p. 97. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/bridgetrafrpt08.pdf. Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  2. ^ "J.J. Byrne Park Historical Sign". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=181. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
  3. ^ "Greenpoint Avenue Bridge Over Newtown Creek". New York City Department of Transportation. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bridges/green.shtml. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
  4. ^ "State Will Build New City Bridge". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 6, 1984. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/06/nyregion/the-city-state-will-build-new-city-bridge.html. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
  5. ^ Guide to Civil Engineering Projects In and Around New York City (2nd ed.). Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers. 2009. pp. 45–46. 
  6. ^ Lisberg, Adam (March 30, 2009). "Brooklyn Bridge to get face-lift thanks to Feds, says Bloomberg". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_brooklyn_bridge_to_get_facelift_thanks_t.html. Retrieved 2009-09-26.