Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge is a toll bridge that crosses Jamaica Bay and connects Broad Channel in Queens to the Rockaway Peninsula. The structure has six traffic lanes, a sidewalk, and was designed so ships can pass underneath without any moving mechanical parts.

The original structure built in 1939 was a low-level bascule bridge with moving parts, which was replaced in 1970 with a higher fixed bridge. This new design allowed larger vessels to pass underneath without raising the bridge.

The bridge received its memorial designation to honor military veterans, reflecting the community's recognition of service members through infrastructure naming.

The bridge is accessible to pedestrians and bicycles with a wide sidewalk, making it a direct route for everyday use. Residents of Broad Channel and Rockaway can take advantage of reduced toll rates, while other vehicles pay standard fees.

The bridge stands 55 feet above water level, eliminating the need for mechanical lifting systems and allowing continuous passage of maritime traffic beneath.

Location: Queens

Official opening: May 28, 1970

Length: 910 m

Longest Span: 84 m

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

GPS coordinates: 40.59150,-73.81961

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53