Happy Birthday to the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened on this day in 1883 for horse-drawn and rail traffic, pedestrians and cyclists! An engineering marvel, the 6,000-foot bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened, connecting the independent cities of New York and Brooklyn. Here are some quick facts about our favorite bridge: •The bridge took 14 years to build at a cost of $3.5 billion adjusting for inflation. •As workers got sick from Caisson's Disease (the bends) digging down to bedrock under the East River, they stopped at 80 feet. Bedrock was 107 feet down and as of today the 90,0000-ton Manattan side tower still rests on sand and mud. The bridge cost a penny to walk over when it first opened. •Cable cars, trolleys, and elevated trains crossed the bride from its opening until 1954 when it became reserved for vehicles. •Over 4,000 cyclists cross the bridge daily, even though the two-way bike path can be as narrow as 4 feet. Below are some of our favorite historic photos of the bridge, available for purchase on our website. Get 30% OFF for our Memorial Day Sale with code BRONX30. Tap photo for date & description, or to order a print. #brooklynbridge #brooklyn #eastriver #brooklynheights #roebling #dumbo #brooklynnyc #manhattan #onthisday #suspensionbridge #bridge #urbanism #urbanhistory #subway #cablecar #nyctrolley #skyline #brooklynhistory #nychistory #historicbrooklyn #brooklynlandmarks #nycurbanism (at Brooklyn Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlKgrqHyXy/?igshid=1azt7lky8c8j4
