Bronx–Whitestone Bridge, Suspension bridge between Bronx and Queens, United States
The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge is a suspension span crossing the East River between the Bronx and Queens boroughs in the United States, stretching 1149 meters with a clearance of 45 meters above the water. The roadway runs across six lanes supported by two slender steel towers that hold the main cable.
Construction began in 1936 after decades of proposals dating back to 1905, with Othmar Ammann leading the design. The opening on April 29, 1939, took place alongside the New York World's Fair.
The structure serves as a daily commuter link between two boroughs, connecting residential neighborhoods with business districts across the water. Its name refers to Whitestone, a Queens community on the southern shore where the roadway touches land.
Crossing requires a cashless toll payment, so an electronic payment system is necessary. Traffic flows across six lanes, with peak hours in the morning and evening potentially slowing passage.
In the 1940s, stiffening trusses were added to prevent oscillations observed in similar structures. This modification changed the originally slender appearance of the span considerably.
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