Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge is a steel toll crossing in New York City composed of three separate sections linking Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Each section uses a different construction type: a suspension span, a truss span, and a vertical-lift span cross the waterways between the boroughs.

Construction started in 1930, but the Great Depression forced work to halt for several years. Funding from the New Deal program eventually allowed completion in 1936, creating an important link between the boroughs.

This crossing bears the name of the assassinated senator and attorney general known for his work in the civil rights movement. Many drivers use it daily on their commute between the densely populated neighborhoods of the city.

The system includes roughly 14 miles (22 kilometers) of approach roads connecting major expressways like the Harlem River Drive and FDR Drive. Drivers should expect heavy delays during weekday rush hours, especially on the approaches.

A complex interchange on Randalls Island sorts traffic from twelve different directions while also providing access to sports facilities and parkland on the island. The lift span in the eastern section can be raised to allow taller vessels to pass through, though this happens rarely today.

Location: Manhattan

Location: Queens

Inception: July 11, 1936

Official opening: July 11, 1936

Website: http://web.mta.info/bandt/html/rfk.html

GPS coordinates: 40.78000,-73.92667

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29