View source for Manhattan Bridge

{{Short description|Suspension bridge in New York City}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Manhattan Bridge
| image = Manhattan Bridge January 2023 003.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption = View from Manhattan towards Brooklyn, 2023
| official_name = 
| also_known_as = 
| carries = {{plainlist|
* 7 lanes of [[roadway]]
* 4 tracks of the {{NYCS trains|Manhattan Bridge | time=bullets }} of the [[New York City Subway]]
* Pedestrians and bicycles
* Streetcars <small>(until 1929)</small>
}}
| crosses = [[East River]]
| locale = [[New York City]] ([[Manhattan]]–[[Brooklyn]])
| maint = [[New York City Department of Transportation]]
| id = 2240028 (upper)<br />2240027 (lower)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dot_bridgereport15.pdf |title=NYC DOT Bridges & Tunnels Annual Condition Report 2015 |website=City of New York}}</ref>
| design = [[Suspension bridge]]
| mainspan = {{convert|1480|ft|m|0}}<ref name=jackson/>
| length = {{convert|6855|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|120|ft}}<ref name=structurae>{{Structurae|id=20000529|title=Manhattan Bridge}}</ref>
| designer = [[Leon Moisseiff]]<ref name=structurae />
| material = 
| height = {{convert|336|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} (towers)<ref name=structurae />
| load = 
| clearance = 
| below = {{convert|135|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=structurae />
| builder = Othniel Foster Nichols<ref name=structurae />
| begin = 1901<ref name=structurae />
| complete = 1909<ref name="NYTimes-Open-1910">{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1910 |title=Manhattan Bridge Opened to Traffic – Mayor McClellan's Last Act in Public Was to Lead a Procession on Wheels Across – Brooklyn Men Celebrate – New Structure Has the Largest Carrying Capacity of Any Crossing the River – The Span Is 1,470 Feet |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url-access=registration |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/01/01/104915453.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref>
| open = {{start date and age|1909|12|31}}<ref name=NYTimes-Open-1910/>
| toll = [[Congestion pricing in New York City|Variable congestion charge]] (Manhattan-bound)
| traffic = 67,851 (2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#trafficcounts |title=NYC DOT – Data Feeds |at=NYC Bridge & Screenline Traffic Volumes Dashboard |date=2019 |publisher=New York City Department of Transportation |access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.7070|-73.9905|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline,title|name=Manhattan Bridge}}
| embedded = {{Infobox historic site
| embed=yes
| designation1            = NRHP
| designation1_date       = August 30, 1983<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a}}</ref><ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite report|type=none|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75318445 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: New York SP Manhattan Bridge|publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |author= Nancy Goeschel|date= September 1982| access-date=November 3, 2025 }} ({{NationalArchivesNote}})</ref>
| designation1_number     = 83001694
| designation1_free1name  = Designated entity
| designation1_free1value = Manhattan Bridge
| designation2            = NYSRHP
| designation2_date       = July 6, 1983<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System">{{cite web |title=Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |date=November 7, 2014 |url=https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ |access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
| designation2_number     = 04701.000010
| designation3            = NYCL
| designation3_date       = November 25, 1975
| designation3_number     = 0899
| designation3_free1name  = Designated entity
| designation3_free1value = Manhattan Bridge Arch and Colonnade
}}
}}

The '''Manhattan Bridge''' is a [[suspension bridge]] that crosses the [[East River]] in [[New York City]], connecting [[Lower Manhattan]] at [[Canal Street (Manhattan)|Canal Street]] with [[Downtown Brooklyn]] at the [[Flatbush Avenue Extension]].  Designed by [[Leon Moisseiff]], the bridge has a total length of {{convert|6855|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. The bridge is one of four vehicular bridges directly connecting Manhattan Island and [[Long Island]]; the nearby [[Brooklyn Bridge]] is just slightly farther west, while the [[Queensboro Bridge|Queensboro]] and [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]] bridges are to the north.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sharif | first=Mo | title=Protecting New York City's Bridge Assets | website=Federal Highway Administration | date=December 19, 1903 | url=https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/mayjune-2005/protecting-new-york-citys-bridge-assets | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429221316/https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/mayjune-2005/protecting-new-york-citys-bridge-assets | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 29, 2021 | access-date=January 8, 2025}}</ref>

The bridge was proposed in 1898 and was originally called "Bridge No. 3" before being renamed the Manhattan Bridge in 1902. Foundations for the bridge's suspension towers were completed in 1904, followed by the anchorages in 1907 and the towers in 1908. The Manhattan Bridge opened to traffic on December 31, 1909, and began carrying streetcars in 1912 and [[New York City Subway]] trains in 1915. The eastern upper-deck roadway was installed in 1922. After streetcars stopped running in 1929, the western upper roadway was finished two years later. The uneven weight of subway trains crossing the Manhattan Bridge caused it to tilt to one side, necessitating an extensive reconstruction between 1982 and 2004.

The Manhattan Bridge was the first suspension bridge to use a [[Warren truss]] in its design. It has a main span of {{convert|1480|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} between two {{Convert|350|ft|adj=on}} suspension towers. The deck carries seven vehicular lanes, four on an upper level and three on a lower level, as well as four subway tracks, two each flanking the lower-level roadway. The span is carried by four main cables, which travel between masonry anchorages at either side of the bridge, and 1,400 vertical suspender cables. [[Carrère and Hastings]] designed ornamental plazas at both ends of the bridge, including an arch and colonnade in Manhattan that is a [[New York City designated landmark]]. The bridge's use of light trusses influenced the design of other long suspension bridges in the early 20th century.

== Development<span class="anchor" id="History"></span> ==
The bridge was the last of the three suspension spans built across the lower East River, following the [[Brooklyn Bridge|Brooklyn]] and [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]] bridges.<ref name="The New York Times 1902">{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1902 |title=Aldermen's Lively War – New East River Bridges Named by the Board – Commissioner Woodbury Attacked and His Resolution for a Brooklyn Deputy Lost – The Chairman Denounced |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/03/19/101265970.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After the [[City of Greater New York]] was formed in 1898, the administration of mayor [[Robert Anderson Van Wyck]] formed a plan for what became the Manhattan Bridge; these plans were repeatedly revised and were not finalized until after [[George B. McClellan Jr.]] became mayor in 1901.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06">{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Ready by January; Builders Rushing Work on Fourth River Span Between Manhattan and Long Island |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/06/06/archives/manhattan-bridge-ready-by-january-builders-rushing-work-on-fourth.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> From the outset, the bridge was planned to have a central roadway, streetcar tracks, elevated tracks, and sidewalks, and it was to run straight onto an extension of [[Flatbush Avenue]] in Brooklyn.<ref name="p571667503">{{cite news |date=November 29, 1905 |title=New Bridge Terminals: Buildings on Manhattan Side Will Cost More Than $1,000,000 Proposed Terminals of the New Manhattan Bridge |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571667503}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=December 1, 1905 |title=Terminals of the Manhattan Bridge |magazine=Railroad Gazette |page=510 |volume=39 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|571667503}}}}</ref>

In the earliest plans it was to have been called "Bridge No. 3", but was given the name Manhattan Bridge in 1902.<ref name="The New York Times 1902" /> When the name was confirmed in 1904, ''The New York Times'' criticized it as "meaningless", lobbied for one after Brooklyn's [[Wallabout Bay]], and railed that the span "would have geographical and historical significance if it were known as the Wallabout Bridge".<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/19/101167160.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1905, the ''Times'' renewed its campaign, stating, "All bridges across the East River are Manhattan bridges. When there was only one, it was well enough to call it the Brooklyn Bridge, or the East River Bridge".<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1905 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/12/09/101373125.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Planning and caissons ===
The earliest plans for what became the Manhattan Bridge were designed by R. S. Buck.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}}<ref name="ABM 1904">{{cite magazine |date=Sep 1904 |title=The New Manhattan Bridge; A Bridge Beautiful As Well As Useful |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924015151412&view=1up&seq=559 |journal=Architects' and Builder's Magazine |volume=36 |pages=547–554 |number=12}}</ref>{{Rp|548}} These plans called for a suspension bridge with carbon steel wire cables and a suspended stiffening truss, supported by a pair of towers with eight braced legs. This design would have consisted of a main span of {{Convert|1470|ft}} and approaches of {{Convert|725|ft}} each.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=548}} In early 1901, the city government approved a motion to acquire land for a suspension tower in Brooklyn;<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1901 |title=Mayor Chafes at Delay on Bridge |pages=2 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-chafes-at-delay/137019020/ |access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> the city shortly began soliciting bids for the tower's foundations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1901 |title=Bids On Bridge No. 3. – All the Propositions for Building Tower Foundations Will Be Rejected |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/03/26/117958826.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The contract for the Brooklyn suspension tower was awarded in May 1901.<ref name="n138417512">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1901 |title=Bridge Contract Awarded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bridge-contract-award/138417512/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref>

The [[Caisson (engineering)|caisson]] under the tower on the Brooklyn side was installed in March 1902; workers excavated dirt for the foundations from within the caisson, a process that was completed in December 1902.<ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 334">{{harvnb|Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer|1904|ps=.|page=334}}</ref> Three workers had died while working on the Brooklyn-side tower's caisson.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1903 |title=Work in the Caisson of Third East River Bridge – Death of Three Laborers Employed in Making Foundations for the Brooklyn Tower Causes Contractors to Desist from Their Attempt to Reach the Actual Rock Bottom |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/02/22/101974938.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A plan for the bridge was announced in early 1903. Elevated and trolley routes would use the Manhattan Bridge, and there would be large balconies and enormous spaces within the towers' anchorages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 4, 1903 |title=Plans for Third Bridge – The Manhattan to Be Ornamental as Well as Useful – Halls in Anchorages to Be Larger Than Cooper Union Auditorium – Globular Lights on High Pinnacles |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/02/04/101971266.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> Work on the Manhattan caisson had commenced in January 1903; it was towed to position in July, and the caisson work was completed by January 1904.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" />  The foundations were completed in March 1904.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" /> A $10 million grant for the bridge's construction was granted in May 1904 with the expectation that work on the bridge would start later that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 1904 |title=Grants $10,000,000 For World's Biggest Bridge – Board of Estimate Authorizes Expenditure for Manhattan Span – Aldermen Will Act Next Week – Work on Superstructure Will Begin July 1 – Will Be Finished in 1909 – Most Capacious Bridge on Earth |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/05/07/101391164.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref>

The [[Municipal Art Commission]] raised objections to one of the bridge's plans in June 1904, which delayed the start of construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/25/101393709.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> Another set of plans was unveiled that month by New York City Bridge Commissioner [[Gustav Lindenthal]], in conjunction with [[Henry Hornbostel]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/30/100472052.pdf |title=Manhattan Bridge Plans – Lindenthal Design Promises Structure of Lasting Credit to City (Letter) |date=June 30, 1904 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> The proposal also called for each of the suspension towers to be made of four columns, to be braced transversely and hinged to the bottom of the abutments longitudinally. The same span dimensions from Buck's plan were used because work on the masonry pier foundations had already begun.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=548}}  Additionally, the towers would have contained Modern French detail, while the anchorages would have been used for functions such as meeting halls.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}} Lindenthal's plan was also rejected<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/07/14/118946866.pdf |title=Manhattan Bridge Plans |date=July 14, 1904 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> due to a dispute over whether his plan, which used [[eyebar]]s, was better than the more established practice of using [[Wire rope|wire cables]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1904 |title=Lindenthal Objects to Wire Gable Plan – Should Not Be Used on Manhattan Bridge – Warns Art Commission – Says New Plan Would Cost More, Would Make Bridge Less Rigid, And Be Inferior in Many Ways |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/07/14/118946908.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref>  The Municipal Art Commission voted in September 1904 to use wire cables on the bridge.<ref name="p571602354">{{cite news |date=September 16, 1904 |title=Wire Cables Approved: For the New Bridge Only One Vote of Art Commission Against Best's Plan |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571602354}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=September 16, 1904 |title=Adopts Wire Cables for Manhattan Bridge – Art Commission Sustains Commissioner Best – Turns Down Eye-Bar Plan – John De Witt Warner Protests Against Action – Bids to be Advertised For at Once |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/09/16/117948520.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Lindenthal was ultimately dismissed and a new design was commissioned from [[Leon Moisseiff]].<ref name="structurae" />{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}} George Best replaced Lindenthal as the city's bridge commissioner{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}}{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=3}} and discarded the eyebar plans in favor of the wire cables.<ref name="n138539186">{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1905 |title=Roeblings Win Again: Big Hole in Contract Contractors May Take Their Own Time—City Helpless |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-roeblings-win-again-bi/138539186/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=2}}</ref> Hornbostel was replaced by [[Carrère and Hastings]] as architectural consultants.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|pp=51–52}} By late 1904, the disputes over the types of cables had delayed the contract for the bridge's superstructure (composed of its towers and deck).<ref name="n138531749">{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge Delay |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138531749/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The bridge's completion had been delayed by two years, and its cost had increased by $2 million.<ref name="n138539186" /> The cable dispute was not fully resolved until 1906, when Best's successor James W. Stevenson announced that the bridge would use wire cables.<ref name="p571786490a">{{cite news |date=March 24, 1906 |title=Eye-Bar Advocates Fail to Appear: Manhattan Bridge Cables to Be of Wire. Says Commissioner Stevenson |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571786490}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 10, 1906 |title=Biggest of River Bridges Should Be Open in 1910 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-biggest-of-rive/138577813/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref>

=== Anchorages, towers, and approach viaducts ===
Best reviewed bids for the construction of the anchorages in December 1904.<ref name="n138529868">{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1904 |title=Bridge Anchorage Bids |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bridge-anchorag/138529868/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=42}}</ref> The Williams Engineering Company received the $2 million contract for the anchorages' construction.<ref name="n138526137">{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1905 |title=Tammany Firm's Big Plum |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-tammany-firms-big-pl/138526137/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=6}}</ref> Construction commenced on the Brooklyn anchorage in February 1905 and on the Manhattan anchorage that April.<ref name="n138523343">{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1931 |title=Manhattan Bridge Is Seen as Monument to M'Clellan Former Mayor of New York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-manhattan-bridge-is-s/138523343/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=15}}</ref> The foundation subcontractors excavated the foundations of each anchorage using [[sheet piling]]s.<ref name="n138550087">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1906 |title=Pushing Work on Anchorage |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-pushing-work-on-ancho/138550087/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=3}}</ref><ref name="Ripley p. 204">{{harvnb|Ripley|1907|ps=.|page=204}}</ref> Barges were used to transport material from the East River to the anchorages' sites.<ref name="Ripley p. 204" /> Mixers constructed the masonry for the anchorages at a rate of up to {{convert|550|yd3}} per day.<ref name="Ripley p. 205">{{harvnb|Ripley|1907|ps=.|page=205}}</ref> During mid-1905, officials condemned land in Manhattan and Brooklyn for the bridge's approaches;<ref name="n138526928">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1905 |title=Making Good Progress in Condemnation of Land |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-making-good-progres/138526928/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> the land acquisition was partially delayed because the contractors rented out houses that were supposed to be demolished.<ref name="n138549750">{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1905 |title=Why New Bridge Waits |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-why-new-bridge-waits/138549750/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 29, 1905 |title=On Bridge 3 Approaches Some Houses Are Rented |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-on-bridge-3-app/138549784/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> By the end of the year, the city's bridge department was planning to erect streetcar terminal buildings at either end of the bridge.<ref name="p571667503" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1905 |title=The Manhattan Bridge Terminals |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/12/20/100495904.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

To avoid the delays that had occurred during the [[Williamsburg Bridge]]'s construction, Best planned to award a single large contract for the towers and the deck, rather than splitting the work into multiple contracts.<ref name="n138526333">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1905 |title=To Advertise by May 1 Plans for Bridge No. 3 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-advertise-by-may/138526333/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> He began soliciting bids for the metalwork in July 1905,<ref name="n138531720">{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1905 |title=Bids for Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-bids-for-manhattan-brid/138531720/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 23, 1905 |title=New Bridge Plans Ready |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-new-bridge-plans-read/138532356/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=12}}</ref> at which point the bridge was to use {{convert|44000|ST|LT t}} of metal.<ref name="p129000387">{{cite news |date=July 21, 1905 |title=Steel for Manhattan Bridge.: Greater New York Wants Nearly 44,000 Tons. |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-steel-for-manhat/138532281/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |pages=5 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129000387}}}}</ref> The [[Pennsylvania Steel Company]] received the contract in August 1905 after submitting a low bid of $7.248 million,<ref name="The New York Times 1905 s523">{{cite web |date=August 16, 1905 |title=Prison Commission Named; To Consider New Sites and Plans to Abolish Sing Sing and Auburn. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/08/16/archives/prison-commission-named-to-consider-new-sites-and-plans-to-abolish.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 16, 1905 |title=Contract for $7,284,000 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-contract-for-7/138534743/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=16}}</ref> and a competing bidder sued to prevent the contract from being awarded to Pennsylvania Steel.<ref name="n138533348">{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1905 |title=Suit to Enjoin Mr. Best Will Be Heard on Sept. 6 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-suit-to-enjoin/138533348/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 18, 1905 |title=More Trouble for Bridge Department |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-more-trouble-for-brid/138534956/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=5}}</ref> In November, a [[New York Supreme Court]] judge ruled that the contract with Pennsylvania Steel was illegal, as the bidding process had been designed to shut out other bidders.<ref name="The New York Times 1905 m406">{{cite web |date=November 22, 1905 |title=Court Holds Up Work on Manhattan Bridge; Contract with Pennsylvania Steel Company Declared Illegal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/11/22/archives/court-holds-up-work-on-manhattan-bridge-contract-with-pennsylvania.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 21, 1905 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract Enjoined |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-manhattan-bridge-contr/138538373/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=2}}</ref> Although Best tried to appeal the Supreme Court's decision,<ref name="The New York Times 1905 n965">{{cite web |date=December 8, 1905 |title=Appeals Bridge Contract; City Hopes to Give the Work to the Pennsylvania Steel Company. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/12/08/archives/appeals-bridge-contract-city-hopes-to-give-the-work-to-the.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=December 7, 1905 |title=Best to Appeal Contract |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-best-to-appeal/138539366/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> the contract was re-advertised anyway; Pennsylvania Steel refused to submit another bid.<ref name="p537167327">{{Cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Topics in New York: Lassoed Would-Be Suicide Who Leaped From a Boat Steel for the New Bridge Pennsylvania Steel Co. Refuses to Enter Competition for the Manhattan Span's Superstructure |work=The Sun |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|537167327}}}}</ref> When Stevenson became the bridge commissioner at the beginning of 1906, he ordered that new bridge specifications be created.<ref name="n138548685">{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1906 |title=Will Include Eye-Bars In Bridge Specifications |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-will-include-ey/138548685/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=10}}</ref> Stevenson received bids for the steelwork in May 1906,<ref name="p537167327" /><ref name="p144643797">{{cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract.: Lowest Bid on Big New York Structure Was $6,493,223. |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=9 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|144643797}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Bridge Bids Opened: Ryan-Parker Company Offers Lowest Figures for Steel Work |work=New-York Tribune |page=12 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571832220}}}}</ref> and the Ryan-Parker Construction Company received the contract the next month, following delays caused by an injunction and threats of lawsuits.<ref name="n138539932">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract Awarded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-manhattan-bridge-cont/138539932/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=June 17, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Begun |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-manhattan-bridge-work-b/138539986/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5}}</ref>

The Ryan-Parker Company hired the [[Phoenix Iron Works (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania)#Phoenix Bridge Company|Phoenix Bridge Company]] in September 1906 to fabricate the steelwork.<ref name="n138550254">{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-manhattan-bridge/138550254/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |pages=5 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The Phoenix Bridge Company's 2,000 workers began making beams, girders, eyebars, and other parts of the bridge at the firm's factory in [[Phoenixville, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="n138579192">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Pushed by Phoenixville Steel Mills |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138579192/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=50}}</ref> The anchorages were less than half complete, in part because of inclement weather and material shortages.<ref name="n138550087" /> That November, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment approved $4 million for land acquisition in Manhattan and $300,000 for land acquisition in Brooklyn.<ref name="p129105464">{{cite news |date=November 24, 1906 |title=Millions for New Bridge Approaches |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129105464}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 23, 1906 |title=To Acquire Approaches |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-acquire-approach/138547252/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> By early 1907, the city had spent over $6 million on the bridge;<ref name="n138580906">{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1907 |title=Cost of the Third Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-cost-of-the-third-b/138580906/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=12 }}</ref> the bridge's total cost was estimated at $20 million.<ref name="n138582414">{{Cite news |date=April 7, 1907 |title=Panama Outdone in New York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-panama-outdone-in-new-york/138582414/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=38}}</ref> To speed up the bridge's completion, Manhattan borough president [[Bird Sim Coler]] considered implementing [[night shift]]s.<ref name="p571947857a">{{cite news |date=February 2, 1907 |title=To Hurry Bridge Work: Coler Wants to Know If Night Shifts Can Be Used on Manhattan |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571947857}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 2, 1907 |title=Favors Union Square Site for Court House; Board of Estimate Likely to Accept Commission's Report |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/02/02/archives/favors-union-square-site-for-court-house-board-of-estimate-likely.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> By February 1907, the Phoenix Bridge Company was manufacturing steel faster than it could be installed,<ref name="n138581156">{{Cite news |date=February 21, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Steel |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-steel/138581156/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=10}}</ref> and the steel for the anchorages was done.<ref name="n138581218">{{Cite news |date=February 14, 1907 |title=Extra Shifts Required on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-extra-shifts-re/138581218/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The company had also begun fabricating beams for the towers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1907 |title=First Completed Section of Manhattan Bridge Tower |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-first-completed/138581493/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=23}}</ref> Land acquisition for an extension of Flatbush Avenue to the bridge began in March,<ref name="n138582183">{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1907 |title=To Cut a Wide Swath in Brooklyn's Heart |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-cut-a-wide-swath/138582183/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=13}}</ref> and the first steel girders of the towers were lifted in place the next month.<ref name="n138582327">{{Cite news |date=April 5, 1907 |title=Setting Up the Towers for the Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-setting-up-the/138582327/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=25}}</ref> The first steel pedestals for the towers were installed on June 26, 1907.<ref name="n138585713">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1907 |title=Real Work Begins on New Bridge To-Day |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-real-work-begin/138585713/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=20}}</ref><ref name="n138585751">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-work/138585751/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=12}}</ref> The anchorages were nearly done by late 1907; they could not be completed until the cables were finished.<ref name="p571995180">{{cite news |date=September 8, 1907 |title=New Bridge Approach: Changes in Brooklyn in Preparation for Manhattan Structure |work=New-York Tribune |page=B6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571995180}}}}</ref>

The city government acquired land for the approaches in October 1907; this required the relocation of several hundred families in Brooklyn<ref name="n138588324">{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1907 |title=City's Tenants to Beg for Extension of Time |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-citys-tenants/138588324/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref> and nearly 1,000 families in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 29, 1907 |title=1,000 Families Must Move |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-1000-families-must-move/138590018/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1}}</ref> In total, about 145 lots in Brooklyn and 173 lots in Manhattan were obtained for the bridge's approaches and plazas.<ref name="p572045467">{{cite news |date=August 2, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge: Clearing Ground for the Approaches Almost Completed |work=New-York Tribune |page=C7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572045467}}}}</ref> Some Brooklyn residents requested additional time to relocate.<ref name="n138588324" /> Residents in the path of the Manhattan approach also protested efforts to evict them,<ref name="p571981215">{{cite news |date=November 25, 1907 |title=Put Off Moving Day: Tenants in Condemned Buildings Oppose Wreckers |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571981215}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 25, 1907 |title=Tenants Won't Move |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-tenants-wont-move/138588176/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=16}}</ref> though they were relocated at the beginning of December 1907.<ref name="nyt-1907-12-03">{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1907 |title=Tenements Give Way to New Bridge; Last Moving Day for Tenants Along the Line of the Manhattan's Approach |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/12/03/archives/tenements-give-way-to-new-bridge-last-moving-day-for-tenants-along.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, four companies submitted bids for the construction of the bridge's Manhattan and Brooklyn approach spans.<ref name="p129028537">{{cite news |date=December 10, 1907 |title=New Bridge Approaches |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129028537}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 12, 1907 |title=Opens Bids for Steel on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-opens-bids-for-steel/138588498/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=10}}</ref> John C. Rodgers submitted a low bid of $2.17 million for the viaducts,<ref name="n138588838">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1907 |title=Approaches for New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-approaches-for/138588838/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> and Stevenson requested that amount from the Board of Estimate.<ref name="n138588872">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1907 |title=To Finish 3D Bridge by 1910 Is the Plan |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-finish-3d-bridge/138588872/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=10}}</ref> By the beginning of 1908, most of the land had been cleared, and the suspension towers had been built to above the height of the deck.<ref name="n138592853">{{Cite news |date=January 9, 1908 |title=The Manhattan Bridge May Be Ready in Two Years |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-manhattan-b/138592853/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=28}}</ref> The Manhattan tower was finished that March,<ref name="n138593749">{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1908 |title=Towers Quickly Built for Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-towers-quickly/138593749/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> followed by the Brooklyn tower the next month.<ref name="n138599081">{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1908 |title=Last Saddle in Place on New Bridge Tower |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-last-saddle-in/138599081/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1908 |title=New Bridge Towers Practically Completed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-bridge-towers-pra/138599152/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> Land acquisition was nearly done by the middle of that year.<ref name="p572045467" />

=== Cables and deck ===
[[File:Manhattan Bridge Construction 1909.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Manhattan Bridge under construction in March 1909]]Andrew McC. Parker of the Ryan-Parker Company had predicted in January 1908 that the cables would be strung within two months.<ref name="p572009250">{{cite news |date=January 22, 1908 |title=About to String Cables |work=New-York Tribune |page=5 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572009250}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 23, 1908 |title=To String Cables March 1 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-string-cables-ma/138593069/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=7}}</ref> The Roebling & Sons Company started manufacturing the wires for the cables before the towers were finished,<ref name="n138593749" /> while the Glyndon Contracting Company was hired to lay the wires.<ref name="p882958340">{{Cite magazine |date=September 18, 1908 |title=Cable Hauling on the New Manhattan Bridge |magazine=Railroad Age Gazette |pages=946–947 |volume=45 |issue=16 |id={{ProQuest|882958340}}}}</ref><ref name="n138604732">{{Cite news |date=September 27, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge Steel a High Grade Product |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138604732/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref> Around {{convert|8500|ST|LT t}} of [[nickel steel]] wires were manufactured at the Carbon Steel Works in [[Pittsburgh]].<ref name="n138604732" /><ref name="n138605187a">{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1908 |title=Pushing Work on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-pushing-work-on-manha/138605187/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=10}}</ref> Workers began stringing temporary cables on June 15, 1908; the first wire broke loose while it was being strung, injuring two people.<ref name="p572056742">{{cite news |date=June 16, 1908 |title=First New Bridge Link: Temporary Cable Strung Between Manhattan Structure's Towers |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572056742}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 15, 1908 |title=Another Aerial Link Across the East River |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-another-aerial/138598955/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 17, 1908 |title=Bridge Cable Falls, Injuring Two Men – Lashing End Strikes Them as Heavy Wire Spins Over Top of Tower – Runaway Hits a Horse, Too – Workmen Capture It Just in Time to Save It from Slipping Full Length Into the River |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/06/17/104733281.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By this time, the construction cost had increased to $22 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/06/16/104732729.pdf |title=New Bridge Towers Joined – First Rope of Temporary Cable for Manhattan Structure Hits a Schooner |date=June 16, 1908 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |quote=During the next fortnight sixteen steel wire ropes will be stretched across the East River. They will be passed over the towers and, after being bound together in four cables, will be cleated to the anchorages. From the four cables temporary foot bridges will be suspended. Then the record-breaking 21½ inch permanent cables will be strung.}}</ref> The temporary cables supported temporary footbridges between each tower,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 8, 1908 |title=Preparing to Lay Cables on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-preparing-to-lay-cabl/138601773/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 9, 1908 |title=Footpath Building Rapid |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-footpath-building-rapid/138601916/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5}}</ref> which were completed in mid-July.<ref name="p564190408">{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1908 |title=Workmen Now May Walk From Manhattan to Brooklyn Across New Manhattan Bridge |work=Detroit Free Press |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|564190408}}}}</ref> When the footbridges were finished, workers installed guide wires,<ref name="n138602393">{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=To Stretch Guide Wires for New Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-stretch-guide-wi/138602393/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-work/138602618/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=10 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=To Spin First Cable Within a Few Days |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-to-spin-first-cable-w/138602379/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> which were laid as continuous loops.<ref name="p882958340" /> Two guide wheels, one at either end of each guide wire, carried the main cables' wires across the river between each anchorage.<ref name="p882958340" /><ref name="n138603646">{{Cite news |date=August 2, 1908 |title=Working at a Dizzy Height |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-working-at-a-dizzy-height/138603646/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=28}}</ref> These wheels were powered by a motor atop the Brooklyn anchorage. In addition, reels of wire were stored at both ends of the bridge.<ref name="p882958340" /> The guide wheels laid up to {{Convert|100|ST|LT t}} of wire every day.<ref name="n138605187a" />

The last wires for the main cables were strung in December 1908.<ref name="p572203060">{{cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Last Wire Over River: Record on New Bridge Mayor Presides at Ceremony on Manhattan Structure |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572203060}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 10, 1908 |title=Last Wire Is Strung for Our Biggest Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-last-wire-is-st/138605977/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Mayor Completes Last Bridge Strand – Pulls a Lever Which Spins It on Its Journey on the Great Manhattan Structure – Workmen Make a Record – When Completed, It Will Be the Largest Bridge of Its Kind in the World |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/12/11/104772678.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> That month, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment hired engineer [[Ralph Modjeski]] to review the engineering drawings for the Manhattan Bridge,<ref name="p572215430">{{cite news |date=December 12, 1908 |title=Bridge Expert Hired: For Manhattan Span Ralph Modjeski, Rebuilder of the Quebec Bridge, Coming Here |work=New-York Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572215430}}}}</ref> after the [[City Club of New York]] expressed concerns over the bridge's safety.<ref name="n138605721">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Mayor Answers Folks |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-mayor-answers-f/138605721/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=New Manhattan Bridge Test for Strength Ordered |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-new-manhattan-bridge-t/138605883/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=6}}</ref> Afterward, the Glyndon Construction Company installed the vertical suspender cables,<ref name="n138608200">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1909 |title=Cables About Finished; Rushing New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-cables-about-fi/138608200/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref> which were hung from the main cables.<ref name="n138608982">{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1909 |title=New Manhattan Bridge, Showing Suspender Cables Outlining Bridge Structure |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-new-manhattan-bridge-s/138608982/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=3}}</ref> By the beginning of 1909, the bridge was planned to open at the end of the year, but the subway tracks, streetcar tracks, and Flatbush Avenue Extension were not complete.<ref name="n138607759">{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1909 |title=No Vehicles May Cross New Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-vehicles-may/138607759/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> Around {{convert|60|e6lb|LT t}} of red steel [[girder]]s and floor panels for the bridge's deck had been delivered to a yard in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]].<ref name="nyt-1909-02-28">{{Cite news |date=February 28, 1909 |title=Steel for Manhattan Bridge; 60,000,000 Pounds Now Stored in Bayonne. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/02/28/archives/steel-for-manhattan-bridge-60000000-pounds-now-stored-in-bayonne.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The girders and panels were delivered to the bridge's site starting in February 1909,<ref name="p507919377">{{cite news |date=February 16, 1909 |title=Steel for Bridge at New York |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|507919377}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 11, 1909 |title=Fast Work on New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-fast-work-on-ne/138416591/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> and the first floor panel in the main span was installed the same month.<ref name="nyt-1909-02-25">{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Engineers Assured Lock Plan Will Fail; H.G. Granger Attacks President's Board and the Report in Favor of Lock Canal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/02/25/archives/engineers-assured-lock-plan-will-fail-hg-granger-attacks-presidents.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Flooring of New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-flooring-of-new/138608838/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Done for New Year |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-manhattan-bridge-done/138416745/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=6}}</ref> Each of the girders was hung from a pair of suspender cables, and floor panels were hung between the girders at a rate of four panels a day.<ref name="p572236963">{{cite news |date=March 21, 1909 |title=Laying Bridge Floor: Girders Are Being Buttoned to Manhattan Structure's Suspenders |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-laying-bridge-floor-gi/138608679/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |page=A8 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572236963}}}}</ref> It took workers three weeks to install the floor panels;<ref name="p572139521">{{cite news |date=April 3, 1909 |title=To Join Manhattan Bridge Arms |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572139521}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 4, 1909 |title=Big Bridge Spans Near Completion – Engineers Expect to Close the Gaps on Manhattan Bridge This Week – Record Job in 22 Days – Perfect Scale Balance Maintained in Extending the Steel Structure from Each Side of the Towers |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/04/04/101735994.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n138608593">{{Cite news |date=April 5, 1909 |title=Only 36 Feet to Go |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-only-36-feet-to/138608593/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> and the last panel was installed on April 7, 1909.<ref name="p572272082">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|507935457}} |title=Manhattan Span Steel Floor Laid |date=April 8, 1909 |page=4 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=April 8, 1909 |title=River Spanned Again: Last Floor Section of New Manhattan Bridge in Place Putting the First Connecting Girder of the Manhattan Bridge in Place Yesterday |work=New-York Tribune |page=8 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572272082}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 8, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Linked |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-manhattan-bridge-link/138416160/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=4}}</ref>

The bridge commissioner received $1 million from the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for the completion of the roadway, subway tracks, and other design details.<ref name="n138417746">{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1909 |title=Big Items Approved: Appropriation of $1,000,000 For Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-big-items-approved-app/138417746/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 2, 1909 |title=$1,000,000 to Finish New Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-1000000-to-f/138417786/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The trusses and side spans were built after the floor of the main span was completed.<ref name="n138608593" /> Carbon Steel began wrapping the main cables together in May 1909;<ref name="n138609079">{{Cite news |date=May 13, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138609079/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=18}}</ref> the wrapping process required {{Convert|140|ST|LT t}} of wire, and the company was able to wrap five to seven segments of cables per day.<ref name="n138609892">{{Cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Cables Completed on First Anniversary of Stringing of Wires |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138609892/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=15}}</ref> All work on the cables was finished in August 1909, almost exactly a year after the first strand of the first main cable was strung.<ref name="n138609892" /><ref name="p572294694a">{{cite news |date=August 15, 1909 |title=Bridge Cables Strung: Important Part of the New Structure Completed in Record Time |work=New-York Tribune |page=C6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572294694}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Cable Work Nearly Done |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-cable-work-nearly-d/138480509/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Weave Final Strands of Big Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-weave-final-strands-o/138480552/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> Workers then installed ornamentation on the tops of the towers and bronze collars on each of the main cables.<ref name="n138609892" /> Modjeski reported that September that the bridge was safe.<ref name="p572268958">{{cite news |date=September 19, 1909 |title=Says Bridge Is Safe: Manhattan Span O.K'd. Consulting Engineer Finds Structure Is Right in All Important Parts |work=New-York Tribune |page=5 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572268958}}}}</ref><ref name="n138610151">{{Cite news |date=September 19, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Ready by Dec. 15 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138610151/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138610188/ 7]}}</ref> At the time, the plazas were incomplete, and Flatbush Avenue Extension was unpaved;<ref name="n138610151" /> the bridge commissioner was razing buildings near the Manhattan plaza by that November.<ref name="p508018831">{{cite news |date=November 23, 1909 |title=New Manhattan Bridge to Be Open |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|508018831}}}}</ref> The ''[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]'' reported that there was widespread discontent over the fact that streetcar and subway service would not be ready for the bridge's opening.<ref name="n138650426">{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1909 |title=Brooklynites Enraged at New Bridge Fiasco |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklynites-en/138650426/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref>

== Operational history<span class="anchor" id="Operation"></span> ==

=== Opening and early history ===
Stevenson announced at the end of November 1909 that the bridge's roadways would likely open by December 24, although the transit lines and pedestrian walkways were not complete.<ref name="n138656133">{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Be Opened Dec. 24 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138656133/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 29, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Be Christmas Present to the Greater City |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-manhattan-bridge-to/138656891/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=1}}</ref> One hundred prominent Brooklyn citizens walked over the bridge on December 4, 1909;<ref name="nyt19091205">{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1909 |title=One Hundred Cross Manhattan Bridge – Brooklyn Inspection Party Walks Over the New Twenty-Million-Dollar Link – A Remarkable Structure – Official Opening Set for Three Weeks Hence – Interesting Facts About Its Building |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/12/05/106778917.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 5, 1909 |title=New Manhattan Bridge Pronounced a Success |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-manhattan-b/138414509/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=51}}</ref><ref name="n138414280">{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1909 |title=B'klyn Leaguers See New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-bklyn-leaguers-see/138414280/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-bklyn-leaguers-see/138414360/ 3]}}</ref> at the time, the subway tracks were unfinished, and there was uncertainty over which company would use the streetcar tracks.<ref name="n138414280" /> Outgoing mayor George B. McClellan Jr. toured the bridge on December 24.<ref name="nyt-1909-12-25">{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1909 |title=Inspect Manhattan Bridge; Mayor and His Party Believe It Will Be Opened Within Ten Days. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/12/25/archives/inspect-manhattan-bridge-mayor-and-his-party-believe-it-will-be.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 25, 1909 |title=Over New Bridge in Auto |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-over-new-bridge-in-auto/138422211/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=10}}</ref> The span officially opened on December 31, 1909,<ref name="NYTimes-Open-1910a">{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1910 |title=Manhattan Bridge Opened to Traffic – Mayor McClellan's Last Act in Public Was to Lead a Procession on Wheels Across – Brooklyn Men Celebrate – New Structure Has the Largest Carrying Capacity of Any Crossing the River – The Span Is 1,470 Feet |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/01/01/104915453.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=December 31, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Is Declared Open |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-is-declared/138485203/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=1}}</ref> at a final cost of $26 million, although work was still incomplete.<ref name="n138485104">{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1910 |title=Open New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-open-new-bridge/138485104/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=3}}</ref> Empty commercial vehicles tended to use the Manhattan Bridge, while trucks with full loads used the Brooklyn Bridge, since the Manhattan Bridge's wood-block pavement was less sturdy than the Brooklyn Bridge's plank pavement.<ref name="n138518209">{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1910 |title=Asks a Million for Bridge Department |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-asks-a-million-for-bridge-de/138518209/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=2}}</ref>

A fire on the Brooklyn side damaged the bridge in early 1910, necessitating the replacement of some cables and steel.<ref name="p145031390">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|145031390}} |title=Spectacular Midair Fire.: Firemen Have Difficulty in Quelling Flames on Manhattan Bridge. |date=March 26, 1910 |page=5 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 26, 1910 |title=Fire Weakens New Manhattan Bridge – Steel Work and Cables, Warped and Twisted, May Have to Be Replaced – Damage $50,000 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/03/26/104926743.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> Though both of the Manhattan Bridge's footpaths were initially closed to the public, the northern footpath opened in July 1910;<ref name="nyt-1910-07-15">{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1910 |title=To Open Two Bridges; Footway of the Manhattan and a New Harlem River Span Ready. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/07/15/archives/to-open-two-bridges-footway-of-the-manhattan-and-a-new-harlem-river.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 14, 1910 |title=Manhattan Bridge Opening |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138484421/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> the southern footpath was scheduled to be opened the next month.<ref name="n138520095">{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1910 |title=Slowly Completing Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-slowly-completing-span/138520095/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=10}}</ref> Streetcars began running across the bridge in September 1912,<ref name="p129312013">{{cite news |date=September 6, 1912 |title=Manhattan Bridge Operation.: Court Upholds the Three-Cent Fare Line and Cars Are Rushed Across. |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=8 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129312013}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 6, 1912 |title=New Bridge Line's Big Day; Carries 3,500 Riders Over Manhattan Span – Rivals Give Up Fight. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/09/06/archives/new-bridge-lines-big-day-carries-3500-riders-over-manhattan-span.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the bridge's subway tracks opened in June 1915.<ref name="Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1915" /> By the mid-1910s, a food market operated under the bridge.<ref name="p97561411">{{cite news |date=August 30, 1914 |title=Site of the New East Harlem Market |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/08/30/archives/site-of-the-new-east-harlem-market.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=X9 |id={{ProQuest|97561411}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=September 2, 1914 |title=New Public Food Markets Doing a Brisk Business: One at Fort Lee Ferry Selling Vegetables and Groceries at Greatly Reduced Prices |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=3 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129441670}}}}</ref> Meanwhile, C. J. Sullivan sued the Ryan-Parker Construction Company, claiming that he had helped the company secure the general contract for the bridge. He was awarded just over $300,000 in 1912,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 11, 1912 |title=Gets $301,719 Verdict |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-gets-301719-verdict/138523673/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=14 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=April 11, 1912 |title=C. J. Sullivan Gets Verdict |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-c-j-sullivan/138523711/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref> an amount that was increased to over $380,000 in 1916.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 14, 1916 |title=C. J. Sullivan Wins Suit |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-c-j-sullivan-wins-sui/138523799/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=7}}</ref>

After the bridge opened, Carrère and Hastings drew up preliminary plans for a [[Beaux Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]]-style entrance to the bridge in Manhattan and a smaller approach on the Brooklyn side.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}} The city's Municipal Art Commission approved a $700,000 plan for the bridge's Manhattan approach in April 1910.<ref name="p508094628">{{cite news |date=April 23, 1910 |title=New York Bridge Plans Approved: Municipal Art Commission Passes on Drawings of Proposed Approaches to Manhattan Structure. |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=9 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|508094628}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 14, 1910 |title=Bridge Approach Drawings Approved |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bridge-approach-drawi/138519072/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=8}}</ref> The final plans were approved in 1912,<ref name="n102511095">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1912 |title=Bridge Approach Design Approved |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102511095/bridge-approach-design-approved/ |access-date=May 25, 2022 |work=Times Union |pages=6 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|574948699}} |title=Approaches Approved: Art Commission O. K.'s Design for Manhattan Bridge Cost Will Be $800,000 Structure Opened January 1, 1910, Now Represents an Outlay of $26,000,000 |date=August 14, 1912 |page=5 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646}}</ref> and construction began the same year.<ref name="Gray 1996">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=June 23, 1996 |title=Streetscapes/Manhattan Bridge Plaza;Noble Monument to the City Is in Ignoble Condition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/23/realestate/streetscapes-manhattan-bridge-plaza-noble-monument-city-ignoble-condition.html |access-date=August 5, 2020 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The city allocated $675,000 for a plaza at the Brooklyn end in March 1913, including a subway tunnel under the plaza,<ref name="p97394049">{{cite news |date=March 30, 1913 |title=$675,000 For Bridge Plaza.: Money Available for Brooklyn End of Manhattan Bridge. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/03/30/archives/675000-for-bridge-plaza-money-available-for-brooklyn-end-of.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=XX1 |id={{ProQuest|97394049}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 27, 1913 |title=Spend $675,000 on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-spend-675000-on-manhattan/138520863/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=16}}</ref> and the Northeastern Construction Company submitted the low bid for the plaza's construction.<ref name="n138520938">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1913 |title=4th Ave. Subway Ready in 5 Months |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-4th-ave-subway/138520938/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=20}}</ref> The arch and colonnade were completed in 1915,<ref name="nycland" /> while the pylons on the Brooklyn side were installed in November 1916.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}<ref name="The New York Times 1964">{{Cite news |date=April 8, 1964 |title=Bridge Traffic Was Too Much, So the Ladies Moved to a Museum |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/08/archives/bridge-traffic-was-too-much-so-the-ladies-moved-to-a-museum.html |access-date=August 5, 2020 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The bridge approaches cost just over $1.53 million to construct.<ref name="p509557732">{{cite news |date=October 20, 1915 |title=New York Bridge Approaches Draw Near Completion: Entrances of Manhattan Structure Are Constructed With View to Artistic Effect |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=11 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|509557732}}}}</ref> In an attempt to speed up automotive traffic, in 1918, the [[New York City Police Department]] banned horse-drawn vehicles from crossing the bridge toward Brooklyn during the morning rush hour and toward Manhattan during the evening rush hour.<ref name="n138658323">{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1918 |title=Horse Traffic Off Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-horse-traffic-o/138658323/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=16}}</ref> One of the two streetcar lines across the bridge was discontinued in 1919.<ref name="n138663556" />

=== 1920s to 1940s ===
[[File:Pike and Henry Streets, Manhattan (NYPL b13668355-482679).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|View down [[Pike Street (New York City)|Pike Street]] toward the Manhattan Bridge, 1936, photograph by [[Berenice Abbott]]]]

During late 1920, the bridge's roadway was used as a [[reversible lane]] between 7 am and 7 pm each day;<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1920 |title=City Bus Service Stops Tonight; New Rules for Bridges |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-city-bus-servic/138670048/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> this restriction caused heavy congestion.<ref name="n138664191">{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1920 |title=One-Way Traffic Will Continue on Bridges Despite Jam |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-one-way-traffic-will-co/138664191/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=4}}</ref><ref name="n138665132">{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1920 |title=Brooklyn Bridge Badly Overloaded, Engineer Asserts |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-bridge/138665132/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> [[Grover Whalen]], the commissioner of Plant and Structures, announced that September that he would request funding to repaint the bridge.<ref name="n138665132" /> The span was repainted during the next year at a cost of $240,000.<ref name="n138665835">{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1921 |title=Quite a Job to Paint Manhattan Bridge Like New |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-quite-a-job-to-paint-manhatta/138665835/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=11}}</ref> Meanwhile, the bridge was carrying 27,000 daily vehicles by the early 1920s,<ref name="n138674492">{{Cite news |last=Hurley |first=William I. |date=June 18, 1922 |title=Keeping Up With the Town |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-keeping-up-with-the-town/138674492/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=15}}</ref> and one traffic judge said the lower deck was too narrow to accommodate the increasing traffic levels on the bridge.<ref name="n138674750">{{Cite news |last=Fish |first=Lawrence C. |date=March 6, 1921 |title=Brooklyn Traffic Court Magistrate Starting a 'Safety First' Campaign |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-traffi/138674750/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=61}}</ref> In March 1922, the city government started constructing the eastern upper-deck roadway at a cost of $300,000.<ref name="n138674244">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1922 |title=Hylan Opens New Bridge Roadway |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-hylan-opens-new-bridge-roadw/138674244/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=6 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 16, 1922 |title=$300,000 Roadway on Manhattan Bridge Put in Operation |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-300000-roadway-on/138674305/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> The roadway opened that June.<ref name="n138674244" /><ref name="The New York Times 1922">{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1922/06/16/109843042.pdf |title=New Roadway Opened on Manhattan Bridge – Mayor and Other City Officials Attend Event—Only Passenger Cars Allowed |date=June 16, 1922 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> The next month, Whalen banned horse-drawn vehicles from the Manhattan Bridge and motor vehicles from the Brooklyn Bridge. The upper roadway of the Manhattan Bridge was converted to a reversible lane, while the lower roadway carried two-way traffic at all times.<ref name="nyt-1922-07-07">{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1922 |title=Brooklyn Bridge Closed to Motor Traffic, Manhattan Bridge to Horse-Drawn Vehicles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/07/07/archives/brooklyn-bridge-closed-to-motor-traffic-manhattan-bridge-to.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Peck |first=Robert B. |date=July 7, 1922 |title=Autos Banished, Brooklyn Bridge Made Horse Haven |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-autos-banished-brookly/138674963/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 9, 1922 |title=Part of Load Lifted from Old Bridge—Is Span in Its Dotage? |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-part-of-load-li/138672075/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=24}}</ref> Whalen said the restriction would allow both levels to be used to their full capacity;<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1922 |title=Bars Mail Motors on Brooklyn Bridge; Postmaster Burton's Plea for an Exception to New Rule Is Denied. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/07/09/archives/bars-mail-motors-on-brooklyn-bridge-postmaster-burtons-plea-for-an.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> the decision ended up placing additional loads on the  bridge.<ref name="n138680819">{{Cite news |date=September 21, 1924 |title=Manhattan Bridge Carrying Too Much Weight, Is Report; Need for Quick Relief Seen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138680819/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=9}}</ref>

To reduce congestion at the Manhattan end, [[Left- and right-hand traffic|left-hand traffic]] was implemented on the lower level during the 1920s, as most vehicles heading into Manhattan turned left at the end of the bridge.<ref name="n138680473">{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1923 |title=Some Questions Answered by the Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-some-questions/138680473/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=39}}</ref> Motorists continued to use the Manhattan Bridge even after the Brooklyn Bridge reopened to motorists in 1925, contributing to heavy congestion during rush hours.<ref name="p1113175935a">{{cite news |date=June 14, 1925 |title=Police Calling for Autoists To Utilize Brooklyn Bridge: Traffic Congestion Is Terrific at Manhattan Span, While Other Structure Is Deserted; Signs To Be Posted as Guides to Travel |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |page=G11 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113175935}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 16, 1925 |title=Motorists Urged to Use Old Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-motorists-urged-to-us/138682052/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=8}}</ref> At the time, the Brooklyn Bridge carried 10,000 vehicles a day (in part due to its low speed limit), while the Manhattan Bridge carried 60,000 vehicles daily.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 27, 1925 |title=Says Low-Speed Law Clogs Bridge Traffic; Mills Wants Limit on Brooklyn Span Raised From Eight to Fifteen Miles an Hour. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/27/archives/says-lowspeed-law-clogs-bridge-traffic-mills-wants-limit-on.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> When the lower level was repaved in early 1927, Manhattan-bound traffic was temporarily banned from the lower level at night.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1927 |title=One Way Traffic on Bridge; New York Bound Cars Barred From Manhattan Span Pending Paving. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/01/11/archives/one-way-traffic-on-bridge-new-york-bound-cars-barred-from-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 11, 1927 |title=Can't Drive at Night Over Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-cant-drive-at-night/138685894/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> That October, Brooklyn borough president [[James J. Byrne]] proposed replacing the Three Cent Line's trolley tracks with a roadway; he estimated that it would cost $9 million to construct a brand-new roadway, while converting the trolley tracks would cost only $600,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 1927 |title=Favors Buying Trolley; Byrne Urges Acceptance of Manhattan Bridge Line's Offer. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/10/25/archives/favors-buying-trolley-byrne-urges-acceptance-of-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 18, 1927 |title=Byrne Wants City to Buy 3-Cent Line |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-byrne-wants-city-to-buy-3-ce/138686887/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=31}}</ref> The comptroller approved the plan in September 1928,<ref name="n138720898">{{cite news |date=September 15, 1928 |title=Bridge Trolley Line Scrapping Urged by Berry: Comptroller Urges Purchase by City to Clear Traffic Jam on Manhattan Span |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113578973}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 15, 1928 |title=Boro Victory Seen in Berry Bridge Plan |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-boro-victory-seen-i/138720898/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 14, 1928 |title=Berry Approves New Bridge Lanes |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-berry-approves-new-bridge-la/138721345/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=1}}</ref> and the city formally voted to buy the Three Cent Line for just over $200,000 the following month.<ref name="The New York Times 1929 t828">{{cite web |date=March 12, 1929 |title=Approves Purchase of Bridge Trolley; City Will Raze Manhattan Span Line to Make Room for More Traffic Lanes. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/03/12/archives/approves-purchase-of-bridge-trolley-city-will-raze-manhattan-span.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 12, 1929 |title=3-Cent Bridge Line Is Bought by City |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-3-cent-bridge-line-is-bought/138722610/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=50}}</ref> The Three Cent Line was discontinued in November 1929.<ref name="p1111747012">{{cite news |date=November 14, 1929 |title=Manhattan Bridge Line Runs |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=25 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1111747012}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 14, 1929 |title=Three-Cent Trolleys Make Last Manhattan Bridge Trip |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/11/14/archives/threecent-trolleys-make-last-manhattan-bridge-trip.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The Three Cent Line tracks were replaced by the western upper-deck roadway.<ref name="p1114109302">{{cite news |date=June 19, 1931 |title=Walker Opens Traffic Lane on Manhattan Span: New Roadway to Brooklyn Expected to Carry 30,000 Automobiles Daily Parade First to Cross Kings County Hails Link at Luncheon of 1,500 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114109302}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 18, 1931 |title=New Bridge LInk Affords Much-Needed Traffic Relief |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-bridge-link-affor/138724308/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=12}}</ref> Initially scheduled to be completed by July 1930,<ref name="n138725636">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1930 |title=Manhattan Bridge Roadway Will Be Ready by Summer |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-roadway-wil/138725636/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=20}}</ref> the roadway ultimately opened in June 1931 and carried Brooklyn-bound traffic.<ref name="p1114109302" /><ref name="nyt-1931-06-19">{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1931 |title=Upper Deck Opened on Manhattan Span; The Mayor Opening a New Roadway to Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/19/archives/upper-deck-opened-on-manhattan-span-the-mayor-opening-a-new-roadway.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The eastern upper-deck roadway was converted to carry Manhattan-bound traffic,<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /> and the center roadway was turned into a lane for buses and trucks.<ref name="p1114107738">{{cite news |date=June 15, 1931 |title=Manhattan Bridge Roadway For Light Cars Completed: Goldman Announces Opening of New $800,000 Lane Thursday New Traffic Lane to Brooklyn Is Ready |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114107738}}}}</ref> At the time, nearly 65,000 vehicles used the bridge every day, of which nearly a quarter were buses and trucks.<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /> A set of 119 streetlights were installed on the upper level the following year.<ref name="The New York Times 1932 f256">{{cite web |date=June 21, 1932 |title=New Bridge Lights On; Illumination Doubled In Roadways of Manhattan Span. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/06/21/archives/new-bridge-lights-on-illumination-doubled-in-roadways-of-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> To increase traffic flow, both upper roadways were temporarily converted to reversible lanes during rush hours in 1934;<ref name="The New York Times 1934 j783">{{cite web |date=September 25, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge Traffic Speeded by New Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/09/25/archives/manhattan-bridge-traffic-speeded-by-new-rules.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 25, 1934 |title=Traffic Speeded by One-Third on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-traffic-speeded-by-one-third/138725121/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=89}}</ref> the lower roadway was repaired,<ref name="p1242981411">{{cite news |date=September 10, 1934 |title=Warped Pavement Cuts Manhattan Bridge Traffic: Rains Buckle Wooden Blocks Alons Entire Main Roadway |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242981411}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 10, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge Repairs Speeded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138725262/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=4}}</ref> and the bridge was repainted the same year.<ref name="n138727466">{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1934 |title=Manhattan Span Perfectly Safe, Kracke Reports |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-span-perfectly-safe/138727466/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=241}}</ref> The city's commissioner of plant and structures also requested $725,000 in federal funds for various repairs.<ref name="The New York Times 1934 v371">{{cite web |date=December 31, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge 25 Years Old Today; Mayor to Mark Anniversary by Speeches at Span, Which Is the City's Busiest. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/12/31/archives/manhattan-bridge-25-years-old-today-mayor-to-mark-anniversary-by.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 30, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge 25 Years Old |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-25-years-old/138727586/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=53}}</ref> During 1937, the city awarded a contract to repair the bridge's steelwork<ref name="The New York Times 1937 y044">{{cite web |date=April 7, 1937 |title=Bridge Bids Submitted; $279,700 Figure Is Low One for Altering Manhattan Span |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/07/archives/bridge-bids-submitted-279700-figure-is-low-one-for-altering.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and raised the railings on the upper roadways.<ref name="The New York Times 1937 a974">{{cite web |date=April 22, 1937 |title=Bridge Is Made Safer; 21-Inch Curbing Is Installed on Manhattan Structure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/22/archives/bridge-is-made-safer-21inch-curbing-is-installed-on-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1937 |title=New Manhattan Bridge Curb Expected to Cut Accidents |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-manhattan-b/138734643/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1937 |title=Raise Parapet on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-raise-parapet-on-manhattan-bra/138734363/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=344}}</ref> The city government announced in 1938 that it would replace the lower deck's wooden pavement with a steel-and-concrete pavement;<ref name="The New York Times 1938 g380">{{cite web |date=March 27, 1938 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Get New Lane; Steel and Concrete Structure on Lower Deck of Span Will Cost $750,000 Work on Supports to Continue Special Appropriation to Be Ready |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/27/archives/manhattan-bridge-to-get-new-lane-steel-and-concrete-structure-on.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the repaving was completed that December.<ref name="The New York Times 1938 f372">{{cite web |date=December 5, 1938 |title=BridgeRoadwayFinished; Traffic Not Interrupted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/12/05/archives/bridgeroadwayfinished-traffic-not-interrupted.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 5, 1938 |title=Non-Skid Road Laid on Manhattan Bridge Without Hindering Traffic |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-non-skid-road-l/138735383/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=8}}</ref> Simultaneously, the railings on the upper roadways were raised again.<ref name="n138735604">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1938 |title=Speed Repair of Manhattan Bridge Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-speed-repair-of-manhattan-bri/138735604/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=126}}</ref>

[[File:NYC Manhattan 1938 Franz Grasser.jpg|thumb|upright|View from the Manhattan Bridge toward Lower Manhattan in 1938]]

As part of a [[Works Progress Administration]] project, a ramp at the Brooklyn end of the bridge was widened in 1941, replacing a dangerous [[reverse curve]].<ref name="The New York Times 1941 u897">{{cite web |date=August 17, 1941 |title=To Eliminate Bridge Bottleneck; WPA Will Improve East End of Manhattan Span – Other Street Work |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/08/17/archives/to-eliminate-bridge-bottleneck-wpa-will-improve-east-end-of.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 31, 1941 |title=Start of Traffic Improvement on Manhattan Bridge |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=32 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1320057002}}}}</ref><ref name="n138740226">{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1941 |title=Manhattan Bridge Exit to Be Wider |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-exit-to-be-w/138740226/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=610}}</ref> By then, 90,000 vehicles a day used the span.<ref name="n138740226" /> An [[air raid siren]] was also installed on the bridge during World War II.<ref name="The New York Times 1942 t962">{{cite web |date=March 5, 1942 |title=New Air Raid Siren Does Best Job Yet; Experimental Device, Sounded From Manhattan Bridge, Is Heard Below Canal St. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/03/05/archives/new-air-raid-siren-does-best-job-yet-experimental-device-sounded.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 5, 1942 |title=City's Newest Siren Loud Enough But Some Think It Boat or Shop |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1264963711}}}}</ref> By the mid-1940s, the Brooklyn approach to the bridge was one of the most congested areas in New York City.<ref name="The New York Times 1946 v190">{{cite web |date=April 5, 1946 |title=Use Brooklyn Bridge, Autoists Are Urged |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/05/archives/use-brooklyn-bridge-autoists-are-urged.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== 1950s to 1970s ===
The upper roadways were repaired during 1950.<ref name="p448817053">{{cite news |date=April 18, 1950 |title=Repairs Are Postponed On Manhattan Bridge |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=25 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|448817053}}}}</ref> Similar repairs to the lower roadway were postponed until the [[Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel]] opened, as the Brooklyn Bridge was also being rebuilt around the same time.<ref name="p448817053" /><ref name="n138815294">{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1950 |title=Begin Work Soon on B'klyn Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-begin-work-soon-on-bklyn-bri/138815294/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=770 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 1, 1950 |title=Action on Needed Improvements in Interborough Traffic Links |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-action-on-neede/138815473/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=16}}</ref> To ease congestion, the Manhattan Bridge's western upper roadway began carrying Manhattan-bound traffic during the morning in March 1950.<ref name="The New York Times 1950 i000">{{cite web |date=March 3, 1950 |title=Brooklyn Bridge Traffic Will Undergo Changes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/03/03/archives/brooklyn-bridge-traffic-will-undergo-changes.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Floodlights]] and [[barbed-wire]] fences were installed at the bases of the bridge's anchorages in 1951, during the [[Cold War (1947–1953)|Cold War]], and the anchorages themselves were sealed to protect against sabotage.<ref name="Gray 2004">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=January 18, 2004 |title=Streetscapes/The Giant Granite Anchorages of the Manhattan Bridge; A Moody, Craggy Majesty, Like That of Lost Ruins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/18/realestate/streetscapes-giant-granite-anchorages-manhattan-bridge-moody-craggy-majesty-like.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Eckenberg |first=William C. |title=War Barricades Set Up on Bridges – Floodlights Are Also Being Installed There to Thwart Possible Sabotage – Barbed Wire for Cables – Chief Attention Given Vital Manhattan-Brooklyn Spans, Close to Naval Ship Yard |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 11, 1951 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1951/04/11/86955315.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> Manhattan-bound traffic stopped using the western upper roadway during the morning in August 1952. Instead, two of the three lower-level lanes began carrying Manhattan-bound traffic during the morning; previously, Manhattan-bound vehicles could use only one of the lower-level lanes at all times.<ref name="The New York Times 1952 e987">{{cite web |date=August 12, 1952 |title=City Will Realign Traffic on Bridge; Brooklyn-Bound Vehicles to Get Extra Lane During Morning Rush on Manhattan Span |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/08/12/archives/city-will-realign-traffic-on-bridge-brooklynbound-vehicles-to-get.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 14, 1952 |title=Traffic Change Aids Manhattan Bridge in Rush: Cars to Brooklyn Get Extra A. M. Lane; Grand Army Plaza Plan Starts Today |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1322331111}}}}</ref> By the mid-1950s, there were frequent car accidents on the Manhattan Bridge, which injured 411 people and killed nine people between 1953 and 1955 alone.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 24, 1955 |title=Manhattan Bridge 3-Yr. Accident Toll: 9 Killed, 411 Injured |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138828576/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=22}}</ref> In addition, the bridge carried nearly 79,000 cars, 18,000 trucks, and 200 buses on an average day.<ref name="EC pp. 278, 280">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|pp=278, 280}}</ref>

==== 1950s repair project ====
[[File:Manhatten Bridge - taken from Washington Street.jpg|left|thumb|View from Washington Street, Brooklyn]]
The city's public works commissioner, [[Frederick H. Zurmuhlen]], requested in early 1952 that the Board of Estimate hire [[David B. Steinman]] to thoroughly examine the Manhattan Bridge, saying its maintenance costs were disproportionately higher than those of the other East River bridges.<ref name="The New York Times 1952 y051">{{cite web |date=April 27, 1952 |title=Manhattan Bridge May Be Repaired; Board of Estimate Is Asked to Approve $80,000 Pact to Study East River Span |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/04/27/archives/manhattan-bridge-may-be-repaired-board-of-estimate-is-asked-to.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A beam on the eastern side of the bridge cracked in April 1953<ref name="The New York Times 1953 u988">{{cite web |date=April 10, 1953 |title=B. M. T. Traffic Slowed; Subway Trains Affected After Manhattan Bridge Cracks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/10/archives/b-m-t-traffic-slowed-subway-trains-affected-after-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1322303107">{{cite news |date=April 10, 1953 |title=Crack in Manhattan Bridge Reshuffles B. M. T. Trains |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1322303107}}}}</ref> and was fixed within a month.<ref name="The New York Times 1953 l170">{{cite web |date=May 18, 1953 |title=Manhattan Bridge Break Fixed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/05/18/archives/manhattan-bridge-break-fixed.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Following the cracked-beam incident, Zurmuhlen asked the city to allocate $2.69 million to repair the bridge, as trains disproportionately used one side of the bridge, causing it to tilt.<ref name="The New York Times 1953 n510">{{cite web |date=August 18, 1953 |title=Repair of Manhattan Bridge And City Hall Termed Urgent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/18/archives/repair-of-manhattan-bridge-and-city-hall-termed-urgent-rebuild-city.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}</ref><ref name="p1322339872">{{cite news |date=August 18, 1953 |title=City Seeks to Ease Strain On Manhattan Bridge |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1322339872}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 18, 1953 |title=Manhattan Bridge, City Hall Repair Funds Requested |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138821546/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> Two proposals were put forth for the bridge's subway tracks; one plan called for them to be moved to the center of the deck,<ref name="n138822469">{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1953 |title=Manhattan Bridge Creaking at Joints |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-creaking-at/138822469/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=146}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1954 n584" /> while another plan called for the construction of an entirely new tunnel for subway trains.<ref name="The New York Times 1954 j968">{{cite web |date=November 24, 1954 |title=Manhattan Span Stirs City Dispute; Transit Body Would Continue Subway Runs, Zurmuhlen Favors New River Tunnel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/11/24/archives/manhattan-span-stirs-city-dispute-transit-body-would-continue.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n138825967">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1954 |title=Priority Given to Manhattan Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-priority-given/138825967/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=10}}</ref> The administration of mayor [[Robert F. Wagner]] tentatively approved a $30 million renovation of the bridge in July 1954,<ref name="The New York Times 1954 n584">{{cite web |date=July 29, 1954 |title=City Set to Refit Manhattan Span; Mayor and Aides Tentatively Approve $30,000,000 Plan for 45-Year-Old Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/07/29/archives/city-set-to-refit-manhattan-span-mayor-and-aides-tentatively.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a committee of engineers was hired to review alternate proposals for the bridge.<ref name="n138825967" /> Zurmuhlen said the bridge's safety would be compromised within the next decade if subway trains continued to use the bridge.<ref name="The New York Times 1955 z095">{{cite web |date=October 14, 1955 |title=Use of Manhattan Span Into City Extended Hour |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/10/14/archives/use-of-manhattan-span-into-city-extended-hour.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 17, 1955 |title=Subways Peril Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-subways-peril-manhattan-bridg/138827590/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=59}}</ref>

By February 1955, the city had hired a contractor to repair the Manhattan Bridge's cable bands and hangers for $2.2 million.<ref name="The New York Times 1955 z095" /> Before these repairs could begin, engineers surveyed the bridge.<ref name="The New York Times 1955 n849">{{cite web |date=February 27, 1955 |title=Tests of Span Slated; Survey of Manhattan Bridge Due to Begin March 14 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/02/27/archives/tests-of-span-slated-survey-of-manhattan-bridge-due-to-begin-march.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 26, 1955 |title=Manhattan Bridge Survey Delayed |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1327679917}}}}</ref> When work on the cables began in June, access to the western upper roadway was severely reduced.<ref name="p1328071519a">{{cite news |date=August 12, 1955 |title=Manhattan Span Repairs Speeded |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1328071519}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 15, 1955 |title=Work Starts on Manhattan Bridge Today |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-work-starts-on-manhattan-brid/138828185/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=740}}</ref> That September, the eastern upper roadway was closed for repairs;<ref name="The New York Times 1955 f224">{{cite web |date=September 25, 1955 |title=Bridge Repairs to Slow Traffic; Restrictions on Manhattan and Harlem Ship Canal Spans Start Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/09/25/archives/bridge-repairs-to-slow-traffic-restrictions-on-manhattan-and-harlem.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the western upper roadway was used by Manhattan-bound traffic during weekday mornings and carried two-way traffic at other times.<ref name="The New York Times 1955 z096">{{cite web |date=October 14, 1955 |title=Use of Manhattan Span Into City Extended Hour |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/10/14/archives/use-of-manhattan-span-into-city-extended-hour.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The bridge was temporarily closed to all traffic in November 1955.<ref name="The New York Times 1955 q907">{{cite web |date=November 22, 1955 |title=Span Closing Delayed; Manhattan Bridge Renovation to Start Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/11/22/archives/span-closing-delayed-manhattan-bridge-renovation-to-start-tomorrow.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The eastern upper roadway was again closed during the midday in early 1956 for suspender cable repairs,<ref name="The New York Times 1956 p609">{{cite web |date=March 4, 1956 |title=Repairs to Curb Manhattan Span; 2 Eastbound Lanes Will Be Closed Daily for 2 Months Beginning on March 12 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/03/04/archives/repairs-to-curb-manhattan-span-2-eastbound-lanes-will-be-closed.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the whole span was closed during nights in June 1956.<ref name="The New York Times 1956 v138">{{cite web |date=June 2, 1956 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Close |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/06/02/archives/manhattan-bridge-to-close.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 2, 1956 |title=Manhattan Span Closings Slated |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-span-closings-slate/138831286/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=253}}</ref> All lanes were again open by that August.<ref name="The New York Times 1956 u571">{{cite web |date=August 24, 1956 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Reopen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/08/24/archives/manhattan-bridge-to-reopen.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The city had still not decided whether to move the subway tracks to a double-deck structure in the middle of the bridge, even though that plan would have reduced strain on the cables.<ref name="EC p. 282">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=282}}</ref> For unknown reasons, the tracks were never moved.<ref name="n26647669">{{Cite news |last=Seaton |first=Charles |date=September 24, 1989 |title=AIs Bridge a Leap of Faith? |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/26647669/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=287, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/25103859/ 289]}}</ref>

==== Other modifications ====
Plans for the [[Brooklyn–Queens Expressway]] in Brooklyn, which was constructed in the 1950s, included ramps to the Manhattan Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 29, 1957 |title=Start Work on Queens Link |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-daily-start-work-on-queens-link/138832359/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Brooklyn Daily |pages=4}}</ref> [[Lane control lights]] were installed above the bridge's reversible lower-level lanes in early 1958, and fixed red and green lights were installed on the upper-level roadways.<ref name="The New York Times 1958 h635">{{cite web |date=February 9, 1958 |title=Span Gets New Lights; Manhattan Bridge Controls to Be in Use Next Month |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/02/09/archives/span-gets-new-lights-manhattan-bridge-controls-to-be-in-use-next.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The same year, the city spent $50,000 on repairs after two boats collided on the East River, causing an explosion that scorched the bridge.<ref name="The New York Times 1958 v398">{{cite web |date=June 26, 1958 |title=Traffic Operates on Damaged Span; BMT Slowed on Manhattan Bridge – Cost of Repairs Is Put at $56,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/06/26/archives/traffic-operates-on-damaged-span-bmt-slowed-on-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last1=Neugebauer |first1=William |last2=Lee |first2=Henry |date=June 26, 1958 |title=2 Lost, 36 Hurt in Ship Collision, Fire |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-2-lost-36-hurt-in-ship-colli/138833585/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-2-lost-36-hurt-in-ship-colli/138833496/ 44]}}</ref> The city announced in 1959 that it would rebuild the upper roadways to accommodate trucks.<ref name="The New York Times 1959 v888">{{cite web |date=October 25, 1959 |title=Manhattan Span to Be Revamped; Two Upper Roadways to Be Rebuilt to Carry Trucks – Cost Is $7,005,980 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/10/25/archives/manhattan-span-to-be-revamped-two-upper-roadways-to-be-rebuilt-to.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Karl Koch Engineering Company received a contract to rebuild the upper roadways;<ref name="The New York Times 1960 w665">{{cite web |date=January 7, 1960 |title=Low Bid for Bridge Job; $6,377,000 Offer Sent to City for Road on Manhattan Span |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/07/archives/low-bid-for-bridge-job-6377000-offer-sent-to-city-for-road-on.html |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the project was planned to cost $6.377 million.<ref name="The New York Times 1960 w665" /><ref name="n1379270852">{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1961 |title=Postpone Bridge Repair to April |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-williamsburg-news-postpone-bridge-re/137927085/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=The Williamsburg News |pages=6}}</ref> The eastern upper roadway was closed for repairs in September 1960; the project also included fixing the lower deck and building ramps from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.<ref name="n138839187">{{Cite news |date=August 3, 1960 |title=Bridge Facelift Starts Sept. 6 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-facelift-starts-sept/138839187/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=454}}</ref> After the eastern upper roadway reopened in November 1961, the western upper roadway was closed, and the eastern upper roadway was temporarily used as a reversible lane.<ref name="The New York Times 1961 o540">{{cite web |date=November 10, 1961 |title=New Bridge Schedule; Traffic on Manhattan Span Moves to Brooklyn Lanes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/11/10/archives/new-bridge-schedule-traffic-on-manhattan-span-moves-to-brooklyn.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Work proceeded several months ahead of schedule.<ref name="n1379270852" />

In conjunction with the upgrades to the upper roadways, in June 1961, New York City parks commissioner [[Robert Moses]] proposed demolishing the plazas on both sides and connecting the bridge to new expressways. The bridge would have linked the [[Lower Manhattan Expressway]] with the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway,<ref name="The New York Times 1961 k198">{{cite web |last=Ingraham |first=Joseph C. |date=June 1, 1961 |title=Progress Taking a Sledge to Bridge Art Here; Moses Applies for Demolition of Ornamental Masonry Statuary Must Yield to Make Way for Reconstruction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/06/01/archives/progress-taking-a-sledge-to-bridge-art-here-moses-applies-for.html |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n138841096">{{Cite news |date=June 8, 1961 |title=Museum Head Moves to Rescue Art Works at Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-heights-press-museum-head-moves/138841096/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Brooklyn Heights Press |pages=1}}</ref> though the former was never built.<ref name=":0" /> The city's art commission delayed the demolition of the plazas<ref name="The New York Times 1961 w336">{{cite web |date=June 13, 1961 |title=Manhattan Bridge Is Given Reprieve For Its Ornaments |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/06/13/archives/manhattan-bridge-is-given-reprieve-for-its-ornaments.html |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> before ruling that the pylons in the Brooklyn plaza be relocated to the [[Brooklyn Museum]] or another suitable location.<ref name="The New York Times 1961 s024">{{cite web |date=July 7, 1961 |title=City Art Board Orders Transfer Of Bridge Sculpture to Museum |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/07/07/archives/city-art-board-orders-transfer-of-bridge-sculpture-to-museum.html |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Wagner said in late 1962 that he would request $2.9 million to rebuild the approaches at both ends of the bridge;<ref name="n138841634">{{Cite news |date=November 21, 1962 |title=Mayor to Ask $41 Million for Sewage Plant |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-mayor-to-ask-41-million-for/138841634/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=25}}</ref> the work included a widening of an approach road at the bridge's Manhattan end.<ref name=n138842594>{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1963 |title=Highways Unit Accepting Bids for Bridge Access |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-highways-unit-a/138842594/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The pylons flanking the Brooklyn approach were moved to the Brooklyn Museum in 1963.<ref name="The New York Times 1964" /> The western upper roadway was closed for repairs for a year beginning in August 1969.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 2, 1969 |title=Repair Work Will Curtail Manhattan Bridge Traffic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/08/02/archives/repair-work-will-curtail-manhattan-bridge-traffic.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two of the lower roadway's lanes were closed for four months starting in November 1970 so workers could replace faulty [[Joint (building)|joints]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1970 |title=Repairs for 2 City Bridges |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/24/archives/repairs-for-2-city-bridges.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 24, 1970 |title=One Way on Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-one-way-on-bridge/139286257/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=36}}</ref>
=== Late 20th- and early 21st-century renovation ===
[[File:Manhattan Bridge March 2023 001.jpg|thumb|300x300px|The deck and one of the towers as seen from ground level]]
The weight of the subway trains had caused deep and widespread cracks to form in the bridge's floor beams,<ref name="p512217520">{{cite news |last=Morehouse |first=Ward III |date=September 22, 1981 |title=Historic New York Bridges in Need of Major Repair: State Seeks Federal Assistance, New Technology for Structural Rehabilitation |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=9 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|512217520}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Steele |first=Ned |date=June 30, 1981 |title=Troubled waters for bridges |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32995318/ |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=5, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32995355/ 55]}}</ref> prompting the city government to replace 300 deteriorated beams during the late 1970s.<ref name="nyt-1978-03-27">{{Cite news |last=Lichtenstein |first=Grace |date=March 27, 1978 |title=New York Bridges Aren't Falling, But Some Are Crumbling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/27/archives/new-york-bridges-arent-falling-but-some-are-crumbling-federal-and.html |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The deck twisted up to {{convert|8|ft}} every time a train passed by,<ref name="n139432047">{{Cite news |last1=Steele |first1=Ned |last2=Rosenthal |first2=Sharon |date=July 5, 1981 |title=New York's Troubled Bridges over Water |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-new-yorks-troubled-bridges-o/139432047/ |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=100}}</ref> and trains had to slow down on the bridge.<ref name="n139431654">{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Arthur |date=March 14, 1978 |title=Finds 4 E. River Spans Need Fix Fast |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-finds-4-e-river-spans-need-f/139431654/ |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=194}}</ref> A ''New York Times'' reporter wrote that diagonal [[cable stay]]s might eventually need to be installed;<ref name="nyt-1978-03-27" /> the city government also contemplated installing support towers under the side spans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Ari L. |date=June 30, 1981 |title=Brooklyn Bridge to Get New Set of Steel Cables |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/30/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-to-get-new-set-of-steel-cables.html |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The bridge's condition was blamed on the imbalance in the number of trains crossing the bridge, as well as deferred maintenance during the [[New York City fiscal crisis]] of the 1970s.<ref name="Sims 1991">{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=March 1, 1991 |title=Bridge Troubles Are Linked To a Lack of Coordination |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/01/nyregion/bridge-troubles-are-linked-to-a-lack-of-coordination.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p277898669">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Margaret |date=December 18, 1987 |title=Manhattan Bridge Cracks Force Bus, Truck Limits. Weary Landmark Nearly in Its 80s |work=Newsday |page=3 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|277898669}}}}</ref> In 1979, the [[Government of New York (state)|New York state government]] took over control of the [[Queensboro Bridge|Queensboro]], [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]], Manhattan, and [[Brooklyn Bridge|Brooklyn]] bridges.<ref name="p277898669" /> One engineer estimated in 1988 that the bridge would cost $162.6 million to repair.<ref name="n141810188">{{Cite news |last=Dallas |first=Gus |date=April 12, 1987 |title=Bridge Men Were Hung up on Quality |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-men-were-hung-up-on-qu/141810188/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=748, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-men-were-hung-up-on-qu/141810333/ 749]}}</ref>

==== Late 1970s and 1980s ====
The state government started inspecting the Manhattan Bridge and five others in 1978.<ref name="nyt-1978-03-26">{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1978 |title=Extensive Inspection of 6 New York City Bridges Scheduled by State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/26/archives/extensive-inspection-of-6-new-york-city-bridges-scheduled-by-state.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 26, 1978 |title=City Bridges To Be Repaired, Governor Says |work=Newsday |page=19Q |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964216095}}}}</ref> The same year, the [[United States Congress]] voted to allocate money to repair the bridge, as well as several others in New York City.<ref name="Goldman1981">{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Ari L. |date=November 1, 1981 |title=U.S. Picks up a Repair Bill for 2 Bridges |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/01/nyregion/us-picks-up-a-repair-bill-for-2-bridges.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> After the presidential [[administration of Ronald Reagan]] questioned whether the congressional funding should cover the subway tracks' restoration, the U.S. government agreed in 1981 to fund restoration both of the roadways and of the subway tracks.<ref name="Goldman1981" /> By the early 1980s, the [[New York City Department of Transportation]] (NYCDOT) planned to spend $100 million on bridge repairs.<ref name="n139502494">{{Cite news |last=Seaton |first=Charles |date=November 17, 1983 |title=Replacing Bridge Not Ruled Out |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-replacing-bridge-not-ruled-ou/139502494/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=140}}</ref> The New York City government allocated $10.1 million for preliminary work on the bridge in March 1982,<ref name=n129137709>{{Cite news|date=March 31, 1982|title=5.7M Okayed for Bridge Job|first=Mark|last=Lieberman|via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/129137709/|access-date=January 25, 2024|work=Daily News|pages=92}}</ref> and minor repair work started that year.<ref name="Pierre-Pierre 1996" /> Workers planned to install brackets and supports under the deck,<ref name="n139435742">{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1982 |title=Riders' Service Has Been Abridged |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-riders-service-has-been-abri/139435742/ |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=2, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/129137618/ 24]}}</ref> and they drilled small holes into the lower-level floor beams in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the beams from cracking further.<ref name="n129134966">{{Cite news |last1=Milligan |first1=Susan |last2=Sisk |first2=Richard |date=December 18, 1987 |title=Manhattan Bridge Is Cracking Up |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/129134966/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=343}}</ref> An overhaul of the bridge began in April 1985,<ref name="nyt-1986-11-08">{{Cite news |last=Boorstin |first=Robert O. |date=November 8, 1986 |title=Manhattan Bridge's Problems Drag On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/08/nyregion/manhattan-bridge-s-problems-drag-on.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the city received $60 million in federal funds for the renovations of the Queensboro, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 7, 1985 |title=The City; $60 Million Given For Bridge Repairs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/07/nyregion/the-city-60-million-given-for-bridge-repairs.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The north tracks were closed that August,<ref name="n141736858">{{Cite news |last=Sisk |first=Richard |date=August 3, 1985 |title=Subway Delays Due |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-subway-delays-due/141736858/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=5 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news|date=August 4, 1985|title=Repairs to Divert 2 IND Runs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/04/nyregion/repairs-to-divert-2-ind-runs.html|access-date=February 21, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> reopening that November after an $8.1 million repair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 2, 1985 |title=Repair of the Subway Tracks On Manhattan Bridge Is Done |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/02/nyregion/repair-of-the-subway-tracks-on-manhattan-bridge-is-done.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |agency=The Associated Press}}</ref>

The eastern upper roadway was temporarily closed starting in April 1986, and all northbound traffic was shifted to the lower level,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/14/nyregion/repairs-to-close-part-of-manhattan-bridge.html |title=Repairs to Close Part Of Manhattan Bridge |date=April 14, 1986 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="p285418415">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Margaret |date=March 18, 1987 |title=City In Bridge Battle |work=Newsday |page=9 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|285418415}}}}</ref> as part of a $45 million project to replace the roadway and its steel supports.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 16, 1986|first=Charles|last=Seaton|title=Bridge Work a Road Block|via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-work-a-road-block/141740203/|access-date=February 21, 2024|work=Daily News|pages=171}}</ref> The north tracks underneath were closed that month.<ref name="The New York Times 1986">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/26/nyregion/subway-track-work-to-divert-bmt-lines.html |title=Subway Track Work To Divert BMT Lines |date=April 26, 1986 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |language=en-US|postscript=none}}; {{Cite news|date=April 11, 1986|title=In the alphabet soup|first=Richard|last=Sisk|via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/26646851/|access-date=February 21, 2024|work=Daily News|pages=8}}</ref> The roadway was originally supposed to reopen within 15 months,<ref name="p285418415" /> but contractors found that one of the anchors for the main cables was far more corroded than anticipated, delaying the eastern roadway's reopening by another 18 months.<ref name="n138036613">{{Cite news |last=Dallas |first=Gus |date=April 12, 1987 |title=Why Gridlock Will Span City; Bridge-Fix Project Will Be a True Traffic-Stopper |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-why-gridlock-will-span-city-b/138036613/ |access-date=January 4, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=579, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-why-gridlock-will-span-city-b/138036687/ 580], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-why-gridlock-will-span-city/141811025/ 581] |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Brooke |first=James |date=July 29, 1986 |title=Subway Delays Expected to Last Until Early '88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/29/nyregion/subway-delays-expected-to-last-until-early-88.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The renovation of the Manhattan Bridge was behind schedule by the end of 1986, in part because of the corrosion.<ref name="p285419460">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Margaret |date=November 9, 1986 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Worries TA |work=Newsday |page=21 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|285419460}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1986-11-08" /> Legal issues, traffic reroutes, and concerns about the capabilities of the main contractor were also cited as causes for the delays in the renovation.<ref name="nyt-1986-11-08" /> Inspectors subsequently found that twenty of the girders below the lower deck had cracks as much as {{convert|15|in}} wide.<ref name="p277898669" /><ref name="n129134966" /> Due to the cracks on the lower level, in December 1987, inspectors shut one lane of the lower level and banned buses and trucks from the two remaining lower-level lanes.<ref name="p277898669" /><ref name="n129134966" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1987 |title=A Lane on the Manhattan Bridge Is Closed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/nyregion/a-lane-on-the-manhattan-bridge-is-closed.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The city government agreed to pay $750,000 to fix the cracks.<ref name="p277898669" />

In 1988, the NYCDOT published a list of 17 structurally deficient bridges in the city, including the Manhattan Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/18/nyregion/17-key-bridges-with-structural-problems.html |title=17 Key Bridges With Structural Problems |date=April 18, 1988 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> That year, inspectors identified 73 "flags" or potentially serious defects, compared to the five defects identified in a 1978 inspection.<ref name="p277966538a">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Molly |date=August 17, 1988 |title=Work to Stop Halfway On Bridge Rehab |work=Newsday |page=3 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|277966538}}}}</ref> As a result, the general contractor was ousted in August 1988, and the [[New York State Department of Transportation]] had to hire another contractor, increasing the project's cost.<ref name="p277966538a" /><ref name="nyt-1988-08-18">{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kirk |date=August 18, 1988 |title=Halt Is Planned In Bridge Work Over East River |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/18/nyregion/halt-is-planned-in-bridge-work-over-east-river.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The eastern roadway of the Manhattan Bridge reopened in December 1988;<ref name="p278082782">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Molly |date=December 9, 1988 |title=All Lanes Open Today On Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129133642/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Newsday |page=2 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278082782}}}}</ref> the north tracks also reopened at that time, and the south tracks were closed.<ref name="p278125858">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Molly |date=December 7, 1988 |title=Big Subway Changes Start Sunday 640,000 Will Be Affected |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278125858}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kirk |date=December 9, 1988 |title=Big Changes For Subways Are to Begin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/09/nyregion/big-changes-for-subways-are-to-begin.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Although the NYCDOT had planned to halt work for 16 months,<ref name="p278082782" /> the western roadway was closed for emergency repairs in February 1989 after two corroded beams sagged.<ref name="p278097472">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Molly |date=February 1, 1989 |title=Manhattan Bridge Shut for Repairs |work=Newsday |page=3 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278097472}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 2, 1989 |title=Another Headache |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|110195148}}}}</ref> ''Newsday'' reported that the western roadway had urgently required repair for almost three years but had remained open to avoid shutting down all four of the bridge's subway tracks at once.<ref name="p278121052">{{cite news |last=Gordy |first=Molly |date=February 2, 1989 |title=Officials Delayed Repairs To Bridge Two Years Ago |work=Newsday |page=6 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278121052}}}}</ref> The cables, trusses, and subway frame on the eastern half of the bridge had to be repaired, and the lower roadway needed complete replacement.<ref name="n141839624">{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1989 |title=Crossing 'Em off Before They Fall |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-crossing-em-off-before-they/141839624/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=155}}</ref> After seven columns supporting the Brooklyn approach were found to be cracked or corroded, these columns were repaired in late 1989.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1989 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Due to Start |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-work-due-to/141840713/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=18}}</ref>

==== 1990s ====
By the end of 1990, engineers found that the bridge's support beams had thousands of cracks.<ref name="nyt-1990-12-17">{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=December 17, 1990 |title=Corrosion's Rise Imperils Bridges Over East River |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/17/nyregion/corrosion-s-rise-imperils-bridges-over-east-river.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n129132292">{{Cite news |last=Hartocullis |first=Anemona |date=February 11, 1991 |title=Bridges, Flags and Politics |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129132292/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129132286/ 20], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129132299/ 21]}}</ref> Service on the south tracks resumed in December 1990, despite warnings the structure was unsafe;<ref name="NYT-SimsJan8">{{cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=January 8, 1991 |title=New York Reopened Bridge Subway Line In Spite of Warnings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/08/nyregion/new-york-reopened-bridge-subway-line-in-spite-of-warnings.html |access-date=March 18, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> they had to be closed again after the discovery of corroded support beams and missing steel plates.<ref name="nyt-1990-12-28">{{Cite news |last=Hevesi |first=Dennis |date=December 28, 1990 |title=Hazards Halt Manhattan Bridge Subway Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/28/nyregion/hazards-halt-manhattan-bridge-subway-line.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Oestreicher |first=David J. |date=December 28, 1990 |title=More bridge problems? Rust assured, new York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/25103974/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=4 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Michael |date=December 28, 1990 |title=Mishaps, Structure Trouble Reroute Trains |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/129132527/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=37}}</ref> The north-side tracks also had to be closed periodically to repair cracks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=February 15, 1991 |title=Bridge Section To Close Again To Fix Supports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/15/nyregion/bridge-section-to-close-again-to-fix-supports.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In the aftermath of the dispute, two city officials were fired,<ref>{{cite news |last=Henneberger |first=Melinda |date=January 26, 1991 |title=DOT Stalled Probe, Council Aide Says |work=Newsday |page=9 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278341466}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=January 11, 1991 |title=New York Dismisses Official Who Attacked Bridge Cuts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/11/nyregion/new-york-dismisses-official-who-attacked-bridge-cuts.html |access-date=March 18, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=January 12, 1991 |title=2d Official In Bridge Unit Is Discharged |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/12/nyregion/2d-official-in-bridge-unit-is-discharged.html |access-date=May 22, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the [[New York City Council]]'s Transportation committee held inquiries on the reopening of the south tracks and the safety of all New York City bridges.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanley |first1=Alessandra |last2=Sims |first2=Calvin |date=January 14, 1991 |title=Bridge Battle: Clashes and Flurry of Memos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/14/nyregion/bridge-battle-clashes-and-flurry-of-memos.html |access-date=May 22, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> They found that the NYCDOT and MTA's lack of cooperation contributed significantly to the deteriorating conditions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Felicia R. |date=January 30, 1991 |title=Council Given Data It Sought, Deputy Mayor Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/30/nyregion/council-given-data-it-sought-deputy-mayor-says.html |access-date=March 18, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=January 31, 1991 |title=Memos Not Released by Dinkins Are Said to Call Bridges Unsafe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/31/nyregion/memos-not-released-by-dinkins-are-said-to-call-bridges-unsafe.html |access-date=March 18, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Sims 1991"/> There were also allegations that the NYCDOT's transportation commissioner was not properly addressing concerns about the bridge's safety.<ref name="p278339673">{{cite news |last=Henneberger |first=Melinda |date=March 1, 1991 |title=Panel Hears Bridge Safety Dispute |work=Newsday |page=8 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278339673}}}}</ref> Starting in January 1991, trucks and buses were banned from the lower roadway, which was also closed for repairs during nights and weekends.<ref name="p278316498">{{cite news |date=January 10, 1991 |title=City Posts Further Closings For Lower Manhattan Bridge |work=Newsday |page=29 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278316498}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=January 4, 1991 |title=Truck Ban Is Announced For a Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/04/nyregion/truck-ban-is-announced-for-a-bridge.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Meanwhile, the weight of heavy trucks created holes in the upper roadbed, so a three-ton weight limit was imposed.<ref name="p278466759">{{cite news |last=Moss |first=Michael |date=April 14, 1992 |title=1 Pothole, River View Gap Snarls E. River Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-1-pothole-river-view-gap-snarls/141852079/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Newsday |page=23 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278466759}}}}</ref>

The NYCDOT selected the Yonkers Contracting Company as the bridge's main contractor in early 1992,<ref name="p278473672">{{cite news |last=Bunch |first=William |date=January 18, 1992 |title=3 Years to Fix Manhattan Bridge |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278473672}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 19, 1992 |title=Repairs Planned for the Manhattan Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/19/nyregion/repairs-planned-for-the-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the firm was awarded a $97.8 million contract that August.<ref name="Weber 1992 g220">{{cite web |last=Weber |first=Bruce |date=August 1, 1992 |title=City Prepares Closer Watch On a Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/01/nyregion/city-prepares-closer-watch-on-a-bridge.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> City Comptroller [[Elizabeth Holtzman]] originally denied the contract to the company because of concerns about corruption,<ref name=p278514453>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|278514453}} |title=No Bridge Work? Holtzman Seeks to Ax Bid |first=Melinda |last=Henneberger |date=May 13, 1992 |page=6 |work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/13/nyregion/contractor-is-labeled-as-corrupt.html |title=Contractor Is Labeled As Corrupt |last=Sims |first=Calvin |date=May 13, 1992 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> but she was overridden by Mayor [[David Dinkins]], who wanted to complete repairs quickly.<ref name="Fritsch 1992">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/03/nyregion/company-in-bid-rig-suit-to-fix-bridge.html |title=Company In Bid-Rig Suit To Fix Bridge |last=Fritsch |first=Jane |date=August 3, 1992 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> The NYCDOT began conducting more frequent inspections of the bridge after inspectors found holes in beams that had been deemed structurally sound during previous inspections.<ref name="p278531409">{{cite news |last1=Stanley |first1=Bruce |last2=Moss |first2=Michael |date=July 31, 1992 |title=1 Pothole, River View Gap Snarls E. River Span |work=Newsday |page=3 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278531409}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Bruce |date=August 1, 1992 |title=City Prepares Closer Watch On a Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/01/nyregion/city-prepares-closer-watch-on-a-bridge.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A [[shantytown]] at the Manhattan end of the bridge became one of the city's largest homeless encampments before it was razed in 1993.<ref name="Fisher 1993 k986">{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Ian |date=August 18, 1993 |title=For Homeless, A Last Haven Is Demolished |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/18/nyregion/for-homeless-a-last-haven-is-demolished.html |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The western upper roadway was closed for reconstruction that year.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Pierre-Pierre |first=Garry |date=August 30, 1996 |title=After 3 Years Of Repairs, Deck of Bridge Set to Reopen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/30/nyregion/after-3-years-of-repairs-deck-of-bridge-set-to-reopen.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As part of an experiment, researchers from [[Mount Sinai Hospital (Manhattan)|Mount Sinai Hospital]] monitored lead levels in Manhattan Bridge workers' blood while the reconstruction took place.<ref name="p278624192">{{cite news |last=Schatz |first=Robin |date=April 26, 1993 |title=3 Years to Fix Manhattan Bridge |work=Newsday |page=35 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278624192}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite magazine |last=Jaffe |first=Susan |date=April 19, 1993 |title=Lead protection: Bridge rehab becomes health lab |magazine=Engineering News-Record |page=31 |volume=230 |issue=16 |id={{ProQuest|235655321}}}}</ref>

The bridge repairs were repeatedly delayed as the renovation process uncovered more serious structural problems underlying the bridge. The original plans had been to complete the renovations by 1995 for $150 million, but by 1996, the renovation was slated to be complete in 2003 at a cost of $452 million.<ref name="Pierre-Pierre 1996">{{cite web |last=Pierre-Pierre |first=Garry |title=Neglect of Manhattan Bridge Takes Toll in Time and Money |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 10, 1996 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/nyregion/neglect-of-manhattan-bridge-takes-toll-in-time-and-money.html |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> The western upper roadway did not reopen until 1996.<ref name=":1" />

==== 2000s ====
By 2001, it was estimated that the renovations had cost $500 million to date, including $260 million for the west side and another $175 million for the east side. At the time, the NYCDOT had set a January 2004 deadline for the renovation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Randy |title=On the East River, A Big Fixer-Upper; Repair Work Is Monumental On an Oddly Designed Bridge |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=December 3, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/03/nyregion/east-river-big-fixer-upper-repair-work-monumental-oddly-designed-bridge.html |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> The eastern upper roadway was closed for a renovation starting in 2002.<ref name="The New York Times 2002 e897">{{cite web |date=August 1, 2002 |title=New York: Part Of Manhattan Bridge To Close |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/01/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-part-of-manhattan-bridge-to-close.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The original pedestrian walkway on the west side of the bridge was reopened in June 2001, having been closed for 20 years.<ref name="Newman 2001">{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Andy |date=June 26, 2001 |title=Cyclists and Walkers Regain a Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/nyregion/cyclists-and-walkers-regain-a-bridge.html |access-date=April 24, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It was shared with bicycles until late summer 2004, when a dedicated bicycle path was opened on the east side of the bridge. The bike path was poorly signed, leading to cyclist and pedestrian conflicts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robbins |first=Christopher |date=June 4, 2014 |title=Even The DOT Is Confused About Where To Walk On The Manhattan Bridge |url=http://gothamist.com/2014/06/04/even_dot_is_confused_about_where_to.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121085620/http://gothamist.com/2014/06/04/even_dot_is_confused_about_where_to.php |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2016 |newspaper=[[Gothamist]]}}</ref> By the time work on the bridge was completed in 2004, the final cost of the renovation totaled $800 million.<ref name="Gray 2004" /> The lower-level roadway was then renovated between 2004 and 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manhattan Bridge Rehabilitation of the Lower Roadway – Contract 11 |url=https://www.usa.skanska.com/what-we-deliver/projects/57594/Manhattan-Bridge-Rehabilitation-of-the-Lower-Roadway-Contract-11 |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=www.usa.skanska.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The arch and colonnade had also become deteriorated, having become covered with graffiti and dirt. The enclosed plaza within the colonnade had been used as a parking lot by the [[New York City Police Department]], while the only remaining portion of the large park surrounding the arch and colonnade, at Canal and Forsyth Streets, had accumulated trees. The arch and colonnade themselves had open [[Joint (building)|joints]] in the stonework, as well as weeds, bushes, and small trees growing at their top.<ref name="Gray 1996" /> The arch and colonnade were restored starting in the late 1990s, with the restoration being completed in April 2001 for $11 million. The project entailed cleaning the structures and installing 258 floodlights.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Denny |date=May 13, 2001 |title=Neighborhood Report: Lower East Side; For This Arch, The Triumph Was to Hide the Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/13/nyregion/neighborhood-report-lower-east-side-for-this-arch-triumph-was-hide-bridge.html |access-date=August 5, 2020 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Late 2000s to present ===
[[File:Murry Bergtraum HS Field td (2021-06-10) 02 - Manhattan Bridge.jpg|thumb|Manhattan Bridge, looking northeast from [[Murry Bergtraum High School|Murry Bergtraum High School Field]] in 2021]]

To celebrate the bridge's centennial, a series of events and exhibits were organized by the New York City Bridge Centennial Commission in October 2009. These included a ceremonial parade across the Manhattan Bridge on the morning of October 4 and a fireworks display in the evening.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nycbridges100.org/manhattan-events.php |title=Manhattan Bridge Centennial Celebration Events and Exhibits |work=NYC Bridge Centennial Commission |access-date=February 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228211610/http://www.nycbridges100.org/manhattan-events.php |archive-date=February 28, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, the bridge was designated as a [[List of historic civil engineering landmarks|National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark]] by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]].<ref name="ascemetsection">{{cite web |author=[[American Society of Civil Engineers]] Metropolitan Section |year=2016 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=http://www.ascemetsection.org/committees/history-and-heritage/landmarks/manhattan-bridge |access-date=November 12, 2016 |work=Historic Landmarks |publisher=American Society of Civil Engineers Metropolitan Section |location=New York City}}</ref> An $834 million project to replace the Manhattan Bridge's suspension cables was announced in 2010. The work was scheduled to take two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Andy |date=July 20, 2010 |title=Bridge Two Far! Manhattan, Like Brooklyn, Span to Undergo Long Renovation |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/bridge-two-far-manhattan-like-brooklyn-span-to-undergo-long-renovation/ |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=Brooklyn Paper}}</ref>

The lower roadway was permanently reconfigured in July 2015 to carry traffic toward Manhattan only; prior to this change, the lower roadway carried traffic toward Brooklyn for six hours every afternoon.<ref name="Spectrum News NY1 2015 n916">{{cite web |date=August 3, 2015 |title=Roadway Reversals Officially Over on Manhattan Bridge |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/08/3/roadway-reversals-officially-over-on-manhattan-bridge |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Spectrum News NY1}}</ref> The same year, the NYCDOT began allowing Brooklyn-bound drivers to exit onto Concord Street in Brooklyn at all times; previously, drivers could only exit onto Concord Street during the afternoon rush hours.<ref name="Leon 2015 g922">{{cite web |last=Leon |first=Alexandra |date=December 16, 2015 |title=It Was Mistake to Allow 24-Hour Left Turns at Manhattan Bridge, CB2 Says |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151216/downtown-brooklyn/it-was-mistake-allow-24-hour-left-turns-at-manhattan-bridge-cb2-says/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=DNAinfo New York |postscript=none |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203164240/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151216/downtown-brooklyn/it-was-mistake-allow-24-hour-left-turns-at-manhattan-bridge-cb2-says/ |url-status=dead }}; {{cite web |last=Gill |first=Lauren |date=December 17, 2015 |title=Con-dis-cord Street: New Manhattan Bridge exit plagues residential road |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/con-dis-cord-street-new-manhattan-bridge-exit-plagues-residential-road/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Brooklyn Paper }}</ref> The Concord Street exit was again closed outside the afternoon rush hour in early 2016.<ref name="Gill 2016 w015">{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Lauren |date=March 21, 2016 |title=City Puts Brakes on Manhattan Bridge Exit That Is so Bad a Family Moved to Jersey to Get Away from It |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/city-puts-brakes-on-manhattan-bridge-exit-that-is-so-bad-a-family-moved-to-jersey-to-get-away-from-it/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Brooklyn Paper |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Santore |first=John V. |date=March 22, 2016 |title=No More Left Turns Onto Concord From Manhattan Bridge (Except at Rush Hour) |url=https://patch.com/new-york/fortgreene/city-put-limits-protested-turn-manhattan-bridge |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Fort Greene-Clinton Hill, NY Patch}}</ref> After rubble was found in [[Brooklyn Bridge Park]] under the Brooklyn approach in 2018, [[Skanska]] was given a contract to repair parts of the bridge at a cost of $75.9 million. The renovation was scheduled to finish in early 2021. The work entailed replacing some fencing, installing some new steel beams on the spans, and refurbishing ornamental elements on the towers.<ref name="Gannon 2018">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=October 5, 2018 |title=$80M in Additional Repairs Planned for 109-Year-Old Manhattan Bridge |url=https://www.6sqft.com/more-repairs-planned-for-109-year-old-manhattan-bridge/ |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=6sqft}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2018 |title=New York Awards Manhattan Bridge Refurb to Skanska |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/new-york-awards-manhattan-bridge-refurb-to-skanska |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=www.theconstructionindex.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> For instance, the spherical finials atop the suspension towers were replaced with cast-iron copies.<ref name="Young 2019">{{cite web |last=Young |first=Michelle |date=November 18, 2019 |title=The Manhattan Bridge Globes Have Begun to Reappear |url=https://untappedcities.com/2019/11/18/the-manhattan-bridge-globes-have-begun-to-reappear/ |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=Untapped New York}}</ref> The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] recommended in early 2025 that the bridge undergo a structural vulnerability assessment, following the [[Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse]] in Maryland the previous year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Key Bridge collapse: NYC bridges among 68 in the US recommended for vulnerability assessments, NTSB says | website=ABC7 New York | date=March 21, 2025 | url=https://abc7ny.com/post/key-bridge-collapse-nyc-bridges-among-68-us-recommended-vulnerability-assessments-ntsb-says/16059419/ | access-date=March 21, 2025|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Loria | first=Michael | title=Millions of people use these bridges. Feds say they're taking a risk. | website=USA TODAY | date=March 21, 2025 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/20/bridges-at-risk-of-collapse-key/82582036007/ | access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>

== Description ==

[[File:Manhattan Bridge cross section.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Cross section illustrating the bridge's lane layout, looking north]]

The bridge, including approaches but excluding plazas, is about {{Convert|6855|ft}} long.<ref name="n138523343" />{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} The bridge reaches a maximum height of {{convert|134|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} above [[mean high water]] at the middle of the river.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web |date=October 1, 2019 |title=NOAA National Ocean Service Coast Survey Navigational Chart #12335: Hudson and East Rivers, Governors Island to 67th Street |url=https://charts.noaa.gov/PDFs/12335.pdf |access-date=January 24, 2020 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022232202/https://www.charts.noaa.gov/PDFs/12335.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The main span between the two suspension towers is {{convert|1470|ft}} long.<ref name="n138665835" /><ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 87">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2007|ps=.|p=87}}</ref><ref name="SA 1908a p. 77">{{harvnb|Scientific American|1908a|ps=.|page=77}}</ref><ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13">{{cite magazine |date=February 25, 1905 |title=Distinctive Features of New York's New Bridge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uT9FAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA10-PA13 |magazine=Improvement Bulletin |publisher=Chapin Publishing Company |page=13 |issue=v. 30}}</ref>{{Efn|One source gives an alternate measurement of {{convert|1480|ft}}.<ref name="jackson">{{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Donald C. |url=https://archive.org/details/greatamericanbri0000jack/page/136 |title=Great American Bridges and Dams |publisher=Wiley |year=1988 |isbn=0-471-14385-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/greatamericanbri0000jack/page/136 136]}}</ref>}} The side spans, between the anchorages and the suspension towers on either side, are {{Convert|725|ft}} long.<ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 87" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> When the bridge was built, the Manhattan approach and plaza were quoted as being {{convert|2510|ft}} long, while the Brooklyn approach and plaza were quoted as measuring {{convert|2370|ft}} long.<ref name="p572045467" /> The bridge's [[dead load]] is {{convert|25000|lb/ft2|kg/m2}}, and its [[live load]] is {{convert|16000|lb/ft2|kg/m2}}.<ref name="n138577995">{{Cite news |date=September 14, 1906 |title=Pushing Work on Brooklyn and Manhattan Anchorages of the Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-pushing-work-on/138577995/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=23}}</ref>

The bridge was designed by [[Leon Moisseiff]].<ref name="structurae" />{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}} The plans for Manhattan Bridge are sometimes mistakenly attributed to [[Gustav Lindenthal]], who was the city's bridge commissioner before he was fired in 1904.<ref name="enc-nyc">{{cite enc-nyc2|page=791}}</ref> The steel was fabricated by the Phoenix Bridge Company.<ref>{{cite book |last=Winpenny |first=Thomas R. |title=Without Fitting, Filing, Or Chipping: An Illustrated History of the Phoenix Bridge Company |date=1996 |publisher=Canal History and Technology Press |isbn=0-930973-15-1 |location=Easton, PA |pages=82–83}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Yanve |first1=Bojidar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5yXSCgAAQBAJ&q=manhattan+bridge+phoenix&pg=PA10 |title=Inspection, Evaluation and Maintenance of Suspension Bridges: Case Studies |last2=Gill |first2=Brian |date=2016 |publisher=CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group |isbn=978-1-4665-9689-4 |editor-last1=Alampalli |editor-first1=Sreenivas |location=Boca Raton, FL |page=10 |editor-last2=Moreau |editor-first2=William J.}}</ref>

=== Deck ===
The Manhattan Bridge has four vehicle lanes on the upper level, split between two roadways carrying opposite directions of traffic. The southbound roadway to Brooklyn is on the west side of the bridge, while the northbound roadway to Manhattan is on the east side. The lower level has three Manhattan-bound vehicle lanes (formerly reversible until 2015<ref name="Spectrum News NY1 2015 n916" />) and four [[Manhattan Bridge subway tracks|rapid transit/subway tracks]], two under each of the upper roadways.<ref name="EC p. 278">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=278}}</ref> Also on the lower level are a walkway on the south (geographically facing west) and a [[bikeway]] on the north side (geographically facing east).<ref name="NYCDOT Manhattan Bridge">{{Cite web |title=NYC DOT – Manhattan Bridge |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/manhattan-bridge.shtml |access-date=August 5, 2020 |website=www1.nyc.gov}}</ref> Originally, there were four streetcar tracks above the four rapid transit tracks.<ref name="n138585713" /><ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13" /> Although both levels could theoretically have accommodated either streetcars or elevated rapid transit,<ref name="n138589132">{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1907 |title=Report on Traffic Plan for Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-report-on-traffic-plan-for-b/138589132/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 12, 1907 |title=Utilities Board Goes to 4th Av. Route To-day |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-utilities-board/138589216/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> subways could use only the lower level because subway trains would have needed to climb an excessively steep slope to reach the upper level.<ref name="p571667503" />

The deck is {{Convert|120|ft}} wide.<ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13" /> As designed, the lower-level roadway was {{Convert|34|ft}}<ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13" /> or {{Convert|35|ft}} wide.<ref name="n138577995" /><ref name="n138527196" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 78">{{harvnb|Scientific American|1908a|ps=.|page=78}}</ref> The walkway and bikeway were each {{Convert|10|ft}}<ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> or {{Convert|12|ft}} wide.<ref name="n138577995" /><ref name="n138527196">{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1905 |title=Contracts for Manhattan Bridge to Be Awarded Next Month |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-contracts-for-manhatt/138527196/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=12}}</ref> The Manhattan-bound (eastern) upper-level roadway is {{Convert|24|ft}} wide,<ref name="The New York Times 1922" /> while the Brooklyn-bound (western) roadway is {{Convert|22.5|ft}} wide;<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /> both roadways narrow to {{Convert|19|ft}} at the anchorages.<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /><ref name="The New York Times 1922" /> At the Brooklyn end of the south pathway, a staircase leads to the intersection of Jay and High streets.<ref name="Newman 2001" /> Because the subway trains are on the outer edges of the deck, this causes [[Torsion (mechanics)|torsional stresses]] every time a train crossed the bridge.<ref name="ascemetsection" /><ref name="Reier p. 55">{{harvnb|Reier|2012|ps=.|page=55}}</ref> As built, the bridge sagged by as much as {{Convert|3|ft}} when a train crossed it,<ref name="Reier p. 55" /><ref name="EC p. 127">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=127}}</ref> and it took about 30 seconds for the deck to return to its normal position after a train had passed.<ref name="EC p. 129">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=129}}</ref> The floor beams under the lower level are {{Convert|37|in}} thick.<ref name="n129134966" />

The Manhattan Bridge was the first suspension bridge to employ [[Josef Melan]]'s [[Deflection (engineering)|deflection theory]] for [[Deck (bridge)|deck]] stiffening.<ref name="Reier p. 55" /><ref name="Gimsing Georgakis 2011 p. 1-PA12">{{cite book |last1=Gimsing |first1=N.J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5znYUUUGPZIC&pg=SA1-PA12 |title=Cable Supported Bridges: Concept and Design |last2=Georgakis |first2=C.T. |publisher=Wiley |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-119-95187-2 |pages=12–13}}</ref><ref name="Xu Xia 2011 p. 13">{{cite book |last1=Xu |first1=You Lin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9F9pNdAk4WAC&pg=PA13 |title=Structural Health Monitoring of Long-Span Suspension Bridges |last2=Xia |first2=Yong |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-415-59793-7 |page=13}}</ref> The theory posited that the weight of a suspension bridge's deck, and the downward forces created by vehicles on the bridge, provided stability to the bridge's deck; thus, such a bridge could use lighter trusses.<ref name="ascemetsection" /><ref name="Richman 2005 p. 116">{{cite book |last=Richman |first=S.M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiYvlT5iP1QC&pg=PA116 |title=The Bridges of New Jersey: Portraits of Garden State Crossings |publisher=Rutgers University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-8135-3782-5 |page=116}}</ref> As such, the Manhattan Bridge was the first suspension bridge in the world to use a lightly-webbed weight-saving [[Warren truss]].<ref name="ascemetsection" /> There are four stiffening trusses, two each flanking the tracks on the north and south sides of the bridge; these trusses measure {{Convert|24|ft}}<ref name="n138527196" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> or {{Convert|26|ft}} deep.<ref name="Reier p. 55" /> Each of the trusses is directly beneath one of the main cables.<ref name="ascemetsection" /><ref name="n138527196" /> The centerlines of the inner trusses are {{Convert|40|ft}} apart from each other, while the centerline of each of the outer trusses is spaced {{Convert|28|ft}} from the centerlines of the inner trusses.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> The bottom of each truss is connected to the steel beams under the lower level, while the top of each truss supports the upper-level roadways. The trusses distribute the bridge's weight between each vertical suspender cable.<ref name="EC p. 278" />

=== Towers ===
[[File:Manhattan Bridge at Night.jpg|thumb|246x246px|The Manhattan Bridge at night, seen from [[Brooklyn Bridge Park]], 2012.]]
The Manhattan Bridge's suspension towers measure {{Convert|330|ft}} from the mean high water mark to the tops of the cables;<ref name="n138527196" /><ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 332">{{harvnb|Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer|1904|ps=.|page=332}}</ref> the ornamental [[finial]]s atop each tower are {{Convert|350|ft}} above high water.<ref name="n138577995" />{{efn|The ''[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]'' wrote in 1908 that the tops of the towers were {{convert|322.5|ft}} high and that the finials were {{convert|340|ft}} high.<ref name="n138593749" /> The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] gives a height of {{convert|336|ft}}.<ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 87"/> One source gives a figure as low as {{convert|321|ft}}.<ref name="EC p. 129"/>}} Each tower sits on a masonry pier that measures {{convert|68|by|134|ft}} across and projects {{convert|23|ft}} above mean high water.<ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 332" /> The tops of each pier taper to a steel pedestal measuring {{Convert|18|by|43|ft}}, from which rise the columns of each tower.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> The foundations of each tower, consisting of the underwater section of each pier and a [[Caisson (engineering)|caisson]] below it, descend {{Convert|92|ft}} below mean high water.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /><ref name="n138603515">{{Cite news |date=August 6, 1908 |title=The Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-manhattan-b/138603515/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=4}}</ref> The caissons measure {{convert|78|by|144|ft}} across.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /><ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 332" /> They have concrete walls and contained a working chamber divided into three compartments.<ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 332" />

Each tower is made of {{Convert|6500|ST|LT t}} of steel, much heavier than the towers of similar suspension bridges.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> The towers are composed of four columns oriented transversely (perpendicularly) to the deck, one each flanking the north and south roadways.<ref name="n138585713" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> The columns measure {{convert|5|ft}} wide, as measured transversely. The length of each column, as measured laterally, tapers from {{Convert|32|ft}} at the pedestal to {{Convert|10|ft}} at the top.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> The columns are braced by diagonal steel beams.<ref name="n138585713" /><ref name="n138585751" />  A publication from 1904 wrote that the central parts of each tower were designed like a "great open arch", making it possible to rebuild either the western or eastern halves of the bridge without affecting the structural integrity of the other half.<ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13" />

The towers contain little decorative detail, except for spherical finials.{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} Each suspension tower contains an iron and copper hood over the pedestrian or bike path on either side, as well as iron cornices just below the tops of the towers.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=553}} Saddles carry the main cables above the tops of each suspension tower.<ref name="n138585713" /><ref name="p572009250" /> Each saddle weighs {{convert|15|ST|LT t}}.<ref name="n138599081" /> In contrast to the Williamsburg and Brooklyn bridges (where the saddles are placed on movable rollers), the saddles are fixed in place,<ref name="n138585713" /><ref name="p572009250" /> as the towers themselves were intended to flex slightly to accommodate the strains placed on each cable.<ref name="n138593749" /> If the bridge was loaded to full capacity, the tops of the towers could bend up to {{Convert|25|in}} toward the center of the river.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> The steel beams also expanded by up to {{convert|0.75|in}} just sitting in the sun.<ref name="p572236963" />

=== Cables ===
The Manhattan Bridge contains four main cables, which measure {{convert|3224|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long. They descend from the tops of the suspension towers and help support the deck.{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} The cables weigh a combined {{Convert|6000|ST|LT t}} and can carry {{Convert|110000|ST|LT t}} including the weight of the cables themselves.<ref name="p572129360">{{cite news |date=July 12, 1908 |title=Gossip of the Borough: Work of Weaving Strands on Manhattan Bridge Soon to Begin |work=New-York Tribune |page=C6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572129360}}}}</ref> The cables measure either {{Convert|20.75|in|mm|0}},<ref name="n138602393" /> {{Convert|21|in|mm|0}},<ref name="Chapin Publishing Company 1904 p. 10-PA13" /><ref name="n138577995" /> or {{Convert|21.25|in|mm|0}} in diameter.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /> Unlike the Williamsburg Bridge (but like other suspension bridges), the wires on the Manhattan Bridge's cables are [[Galvanization|galvanized]] to prevent rusting.<ref name="n138577995" /><ref name="n138527196" /> Each cable consists of 9,472 parallel wires,<ref name="n138577995" /><ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 87" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" />{{efn|This is incorrectly cited in one ''[[New-York Tribune]]'' article as 4,972 wires.<ref name="p572294694">{{cite news |date=August 15, 1909 |title=Bridge Cables Strung: Important Part of the New Structure Completed in Record Time |work=New-York Tribune |page=C6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572294694}}}}</ref> Another article from the same newspaper gives a calculation of 37 strands, each with 256 wires, for a total of 9,472 wires.<ref name=p572129360/> Other sources corroborate the 9,472-wire figure.<ref name=n138603646/>}} which are grouped into 37 strands of 256 wires.<ref name="n138603646" /><ref name="n138602393" /><ref name="p572129360" /> The wires measure {{convert|3/16|in}} across.<ref name="n138602393" /><ref name="SA 1908a p. 78" /><ref name="p572129360" /> The cables themselves are capable of resisting loads of up to {{Convert|30000|ST|LT t}}.<ref name="EC p. 130">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=130}}</ref>

There are 1,400 vertical suspender cables, which hang from the main cables and hold up the deck.<ref name="n138608200" /> They measure about {{convert|5|in}} in diameter<ref name="n138541622">{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1906 |title=How the New Bridge Will Be Constructed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-how-the-new-bri/138541622/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> and weigh a total of {{Convert|8000|ST|LT t}}.<ref name="n138609079" /> Each suspender can withstand up to {{Convert|100|ST/in2}} of pressure.<ref name="EC p. 278" /> There are cable bands at the top of each suspender cable (where they attach to the main cable);<ref name="EC p. 278" /><ref name="Reier p. 55" /> the suspenders are attached to the main cables using clamps.<ref name="EC p. 278" /> The lower parts of the suspender cables pass through the trusses.<ref name="EC p. 278" /><ref name="Reier p. 55" /> To reduce chafing on the lower parts of the suspender cables, workers installed wooden buffers between the suspender cables and the trusses after the bridge was completed.<ref name="Reier p. 55" />

=== Anchorages ===
The cables are attached to stone anchorages on each side, measuring {{Convert|237|ft}} long, {{Convert|182|ft}} wide, and {{Convert|135|ft}} tall.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /><ref name="n138603515" /> Each anchorage weighs {{Convert|233000|ST|LT t}} and is filled with {{Convert|115000|ft3}} of concrete and rubble masonry.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /><ref name="n138603515" /><ref name="EC p. 130" /> Inside the anchorages are 36 anchor bars, nine for each cable. The ends of each strand are attached to the anchor bars, which in turn are attached to [[eyebar]]s measuring {{convert|110|ft}} long.<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> There are 37 eyebars connecting each cable to the anchor bars, distributing the loads on the cables across a larger area.<ref name="EC p. 130" />

The anchorages were intentionally wider than the deck, providing space for pedestrians to rest;<ref name="Gray 2004" />{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=550}} these pedestrian areas are {{Convert|120|ft}} above the ground.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=550}} The facade of each anchorage is made of concrete<ref name="SA 1908a p. 77" /> and is topped by a colonnade measuring {{Convert|40|ft}} long.<ref name="Reier p. 54">{{harvnb|Reier|2012|ps=.|page=54}}</ref> Each colonnade is divided vertically into five [[Bay (architecture)|bays]].<ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 86">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2007|ps=.|p=86}}</ref> The arches and colonnades are the only decorative elements of each anchorage.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=551}} Early proposals for the anchorages called for them to include auditoriums, but this proposal was never executed.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=550}} In a 1909 article for the ''[[Architectural Record]]'', architectural critic [[Montgomery Schuyler]] described the anchorages as having "an aspect of Egyptian immobility",<ref name="Gray 2004" /><ref name="Schuyler 2016 p309">{{cite magazine |last=Schuyler |first=Montgomery |date=1909 |title=Our Four Big Bridges |url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1909-01-06.pdf |magazine=Architectural Record |page=160 |volume=XXV |issue=3}}</ref> and another author in 2006 similarly compared the anchorages to "vast, battered, Egyptian masses".<ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 87" />

At the base of the Manhattan anchorage is an arch measuring {{Convert|46|ft}} wide and 46 feet tall,<ref name="Ripley p. 204" /> through which [[Cherry Street (Manhattan)|Cherry Street]] passes.<ref name="Ripley p. 204" /><ref name="Reier p. 54" /> Water Street passes through a similar arch in Brooklyn.<ref name="Reier p. 54" /><ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 86" /> The intersection of Adams and Water streets had to be relocated to make way for the Brooklyn anchorage.<ref name="p571995180" /> The archway under the Brooklyn anchorage contains a {{convert|7000|ft2|adj=on}} public plaza.<ref name="Marvel a896">{{cite web |title=The Archway Manhattan Bridge Anchorage |url=https://marveldesigns.com/work/the-archway-manhattan-bridge-anchorage/116 |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Marvel}}</ref> The sides of the anchorages have large [[buttress]]es that slope upward.<ref name="NYCL (2007) p. 86" />

===Approach plazas===
[[Carrère and Hastings]] designed approach plazas on both ends of the bridge. At the time of the bridge's opening, these plazas were meant to conceal views of the Manhattan Bridge from the streets on either end.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} The Manhattan plaza connects directly with [[Canal Street (Manhattan)|Canal Street]] and the [[Bowery]], while the Brooklyn end of the bridge continues as [[Flatbush Avenue]] (which in turn intersects several other roads at [[Prospect Park (Brooklyn)|Prospect Park]]).<ref name="p97527021">{{cite news |date=November 15, 1914 |title=Manhattan Bridge Approaches Done: Touring Bureau of the Three A's Says This Now Forms Best Route to Brooklyn. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/11/15/archives/manhattan-bridge-approaches-done-touring-bureau-of-the-three-as.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=XX5 |id={{ProQuest|97527021}}}}</ref> The city paid [[Carl Augustus Heber]], [[Charles Cary Rumsey]], and [[Daniel Chester French]] a combined $41,000 ({{Inflation|index=US|value=41000|start_year=1916|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) to design sculptures around the approach plazas.<ref name="The New York Times 1961 k198" />

====Manhattan plaza<span class="anchor" id="Arch and colonnade"></span>====
[[File:Manhattan Bridge Arch and Colonnade.jpg|thumb|The [[Beaux Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]] [[triumphal arch]] and [[colonnade]] at the Manhattan entrance|alt=|400x400px]]In Manhattan, the bridge terminates at a plaza originally bounded by the Bowery and Bayard, Division, Forsyth, and Canal streets.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" /> This plot covered {{Convert|400|by|750|ft|abbr=}}.<ref name="Gray 1996" /><ref name="AAA 1912">{{cite magazine |date=Jul 1912 |title=The Borough of Manhattan Approach to Manhattan Bridge No. 3, New York; Messrs. Carrere & Hastings, Architects |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015007549101&view=1up&seq=269 |journal=American Architect and Architecture |pages=61–62 |volume=102 |number=1}}</ref> The arch and colonnade were completed within this plaza in 1915;<ref name="nycland" /> they surround an elliptical plaza facing northwest toward the Bowery.<ref name="AAA 1912" />

===== Design =====
The arch and colonnade are made of white, fine-grained Hallowell granite.<ref name="AAA 1912" /><ref name="ML p. 18">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=18}}</ref> They are decorated with two groups of allegorical sculptures by Heber and a frieze called "Buffalo Hunt" by Rumsey.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}}<ref name="Gray 1996" /><ref name="nycland" /><ref name="ML pp. 19-20">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|pp=19–20}}</ref> The design of the arch and colonnade reference the fact that the Manhattan Bridge continues into Brooklyn as [[Flatbush Avenue]], which runs south to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The arch thus signified the Manhattan Bridge's role as an ocean "gateway".{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}} The plaza was influenced by the New York Improvement Plan of 1907, which sought to create plazas and other open spaces at large intersections; a massive circular plaza, connecting the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, was never built.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}}

The arch was based on [[Paris]]'s [[Porte Saint-Denis]].<ref name="Gray 1996" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} It is one of the city's three remaining triumphal arches, the others being the [[Washington Square Arch]] and the [[Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch]].{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}} The arch's opening measures {{Convert|36|ft||abbr=}} high and {{Convert|40|ft||abbr=}} wide.<ref name="AAA 1912" />{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}} On the northern side of the arch, the opening is flanked by carvings of classical ships, masks, shields, and oak leaves.<ref name="ML p. 18" /> The western pier contains the sculptural group ''Spirit of Commerce'', depicting a winged woman flanked by two figures. The eastern pier contains ''Spirit of Industry'', depicting the god [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]] flanked by two figures.<ref name="ML pp. 19-20" />  The arch's [[Keystone (architecture)|keystone]] contains a depiction of a [[bison]]. Above is the "Buffalo Hunt" frieze, which depicts Native Americans hunting animals while on horseback.<ref name="ML pp. 18-19">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|pp=18–19}}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}} The relief is topped by [[dentil]]s and [[egg-and-dart]] ornamentation.<ref name="ML p. 19">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=19}}</ref> The [[cornice]] of the arch contains modillions as well as six lion heads.<ref name="ML p. 19" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}} The interior of the arch contains a coffered ceiling.{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} There are [[Rosette (design)|rosettes]] on the arch's [[soffit]]. The southern side of the arch, facing Brooklyn, is less ornately decorated but has [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] stone blocks indicative of a Parisian or Florentine bank.<ref name="Gray 1996" /> On the southern side, there are decorations of carved lions at the bases of each pier.<ref name="ML p. 23">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=23}}</ref>

The colonnade and plaza was modeled after the one surrounding [[St. Peter's Square]] in [[Vatican City]].<ref name="Gray 1996" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}}<ref name="ML p. 23" /> The colonnade is elliptical and rises to {{Convert|38|ft||abbr=}}. It is supported by six pairs of {{Convert|31|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} [[Italianate architecture|Tuscan]] columns on either side, with each pair of columns flanking rusticated piers inside the colonnade.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=3}}<ref name="AAA 1912" />{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} Above each column is a stone with a classical motif, such as a boat or a [[cuirass]].<ref name="ML p. 23" /> There is an [[entablature]] above the columns, as well as a cornice and [[balustrade]] at the top of the colonnade.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=3}}<ref name="AAA 1912" />{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} The entablature contains roundels with floral motifs.<ref name="ML p. 23" /> The arch and colonnade were initially surrounded by granite retaining walls that contained decorative balustrades surrounding parkland on either side of the arch and colonnade.<ref name="Gray 1996" /><ref name="AAA 1912" /> Only a small segment of parkland remains at Canal and Forsyth streets, while the south side of the park became [[Confucius Plaza]].<ref name="Gray 1996" />

===== Reception and modifications =====
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Brooklyn Plaza of the Manhattan Bridge - Harry M. Pettit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Brooklyn Plaza of the bridge c.1917. Nassau Street is across the foreground. The [[Brooklyn Bridge]] is visible in the left background, and the [[Williamsburg Bridge]] in the right background.|alt=]]''American Architect and Architecture'' described the arch and colonnade in 1912 as "worthy of one of the principal gateways of a great modern city".<ref name="AAA 1912" /> The arch and colonnade were described as a "complete, dignified and monumental ensemble, worthy of one of the principal gateways of a great modern city" in a ''New York Times'' article.<ref name="Gray 1996" /> ''The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' wrote: "The Manhattan Bridge will be not only something to get across the East River upon, but the sight of it will be a joy even to those who have no occasion to cross it."<ref name="ML p. 23" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1912 |title=To Beautify Manhattan Bridge |pages=12 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102511230/to-beautify-manhattan-bridge/ |access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref> According to ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'', the plaza's presence "has turned a section of the East Side, in one of its most squalid parts, into a veritable park where children can find on summer evenings a clean open place amid surroundings that will be in many ways the equal of any in New York".<ref name="p509557732" />

From the bridge's completion, the arch was heavily used by vehicular traffic.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=52}} When [[Madison Square Garden (1890)|the second Madison Square Garden]] was being demolished in 1925, there was a proposal to relocate the arena's [[Diana (Saint-Gaudens)|statue of Diana]] to the arch, but this did not happen.<ref name="nyt-1925-03-18">{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1925 |title=Diana May Crown Manhattan Bridge; Commissioner Mills Proposes Arch at New York End of the Span as a Suitable Site. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/03/18/archives/diana-may-crown-manhattan-bridge-commissioner-mills-proposes-arch-a.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 18, 1925 |title=Diana May Adorn Arch of Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-diana-may-adorn-arch-of-manh/138684392/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=33}}</ref>  Part of the colonnade's eastern arm was removed and replaced in the 1970s for the [[History of the Second Avenue Subway|construction]] of the incomplete [[Second Avenue Subway]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1975 |title=Subway Excavation Weakens Project |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/22/archives/subway-excavation-weakens-project.html |access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=3}} The arch and colonnade were designated a [[List of New York City Landmarks|New York City landmark]] on November 25, 1975.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 26, 1975 |title=Landmark Status Voted For 5 Places in City |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/26/archives/landmark-status-voted-for-5-places-in-city.html |access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> After many years of neglect and several attempts by traffic engineers to remove the structure (including a proposal for the unbuilt [[Lower Manhattan Expressway]] that would have required removing the arch), the arch and colonnade were repaired and restored in 2000.<ref name="nycland">{{cite nycland |pages=45–46}}</ref><ref>{{cite AIA4|page=82}}</ref>

==== Brooklyn plaza ====
The Brooklyn approach to the Manhattan Bridge also contained a terraced plaza with balustrades.<ref name="ML p. 23" /> The Brooklyn plaza was originally bounded by Sands, Bridge, Nassau, and Jay streets.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" /> French designed a pair of {{Convert|20|ST|LT t|abbr=|adj=on|sp=us}} pylons named ''Brooklyn'' and ''Manhattan'' on the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge. These were installed in November 1916.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}<ref name="The New York Times 1964" />{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}} Each pylon measured {{Convert|12|ft|m||abbr=|adj=}} high and rested on a base {{Convert|15|ft}} off the ground.<ref name="p575405714">{{cite news |date=April 11, 1915 |title=Proud and Militant Manhattan To Patronize Domestic Brooklyn: Heroic Size Statues. Typifying Characteristics of Both Boroughs, At Across River Approach to Manhattan Bridge Will Aid in Making Plaza Beautiful |work=New-York Tribune |page=5 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575405714}}}}</ref><ref name="p97806010">{{cite news |date=April 11, 1915 |title=To Place Bridge Statues.: Figures by D. C. French Are Almost Ready for Manhattan Structure. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/04/11/archives/to-place-bridge-statues-figures-by-d-c-french-are-almost-ready-for.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|97806010}}}}</ref> The statues on each pylon represented French's impressions of life in each borough. The ''Brooklyn'' pylon depicted a young woman with a child and symbols of art and progress, while the ''Manhattan'' pylon depicted a seated, upright woman with symbols of art and prosperity. There were granite railings and walkways at the base of either pylon.<ref name="p575405714" />

A [[bas-relief]] memorializing former mayor [[William Jay Gaynor]] was dedicated at the bridge's Brooklyn plaza in 1927;<ref name="p1112926396">{{cite news |date=May 13, 1926 |title=Walker Praises Gaynor at Unveiling Of Memorial to Him: Mayor Extols Predecessor's "Philosophical Mind" When Bust Is Dedicated at the Manhattan Bridge |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |page=12 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112926396}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 13, 1926 |title=Gaynor Memorial Presented to City; Bronze Bust of Late Mayor Is Unveiled at Brooklyn End of Manhattan Bridge. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/05/13/archives/gaynor-memorial-presented-to-city-bronze-bust-of-late-mayor-is.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> it was relocated in 1939 to the nearby Brooklyn Bridge Plaza.<ref name="p1247806077">{{cite news |date=February 24, 1939 |title=Monument to Gaynor Dedicated at New Site: Daughter Unveils Bust of Former Mayor |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19A |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1247806077}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 22, 1939 |title=Tablet to Gaynor Moved to Plaza |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-tablet-to-gaynor-moved-to-pla/138738831/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=324}}</ref>  The pylons were relocated to the Brooklyn Museum in 1963.<ref name="The New York Times 1964" /> The pylons never constituted a true portal, even when they were in place. Following their removal, the Brooklyn approach did not contain a formal entrance.{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=2}}

=== Exit list ===
Access to the Manhattan Bridge is provided by a series of ramps on both the Manhattan and Brooklyn sides of the river.
{{NYinttop|nyc=yes|unnum=yes|length_ref=<ref name=google>{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.6973135,-73.985034/40.7166037,-73.9957942/@40.7068598,-74.0078067,14z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0 |access-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{NYCint
|county=Brooklyn
|cspan=3
|borough=Brooklyn
|location=Brooklyn Heights
|lspan=3
|mile=0.0
|road=[[Flatbush Avenue|Flatbush Avenue Extension]]
|notes=Continuation south
}}
{{NYCint
|mile=0.1
|type=incomplete
|road=Nassau Street
|notes=Southbound Upper Level exit and northbound Upper Level entrance
}}
{{NYCint
|mile=0.2
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=NY|I|278|dir1=east|name1=[[Brooklyn–Queens Expressway]]|location1=[[Robert F. Kennedy Bridge|RFK Bridge]]}}
|notes=Southbound Upper Level exit and northbound Upper Level entrance
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[East River]]
|mile=0.4
|mile2=1.0
|bridge=Suspension span
}}
{{NYCint
|county=Manhattan
|cspan=3
|borough=Manhattan
|location=Chinatown
|lspan=3
|mile=1.3
|type=incomplete
|road=[[Bowery]]
|notes=Slip ramp from Bowery north to northbound Upper Level
}}
{{NYCint
|mile=1.4
|mspan=2
|road={{jct|state=NY|road|[[Bowery]] / [[Canal Street (Manhattan)|Canal Street]]|to2=yes|location1=[[Holland Tunnel]]|Parkway|FDR}}
|notes=Continuation of northbound Lower Level
}}
{{NYCint
|mile=none
|road={{jct|state=NY|road|[[Chrystie Street (Manhattan)|Chrystie Street]]|to2=yes|location1=[[Holland Tunnel]]|Parkway|FDR|road|[[Canal Street (Manhattan)|Canal Street]] west}}
|notes=Continuation of northbound Upper Level
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}

=== Proposed I-478 designation ===
As early as the 1940s, there had been plans for an expressway running across Manhattan, connecting with the bridge.<ref name="The New York Times 1944 r115">{{cite web |date=May 16, 1944 |title=Nathan Proposes Crosstown Road; Wants Two-Decked Structure From West Side Highway to Manhattan Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/05/16/archives/nathan-proposes-crosstown-road-wants-twodecked-structure-from-west.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As part of the [[Interstate Highway System]], the I-478 route number was proposed in 1958 for a branch of the [[Lower Manhattan Expressway]] running along the Manhattan Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=George Cable |date=September 19, 1958 |title=New Roads With New Numbers Will Parallel Old U.S. Routes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/19/archives/new-roads-with-new-numbers-will-parallel-old-us-routes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100756/http://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/19/archives/new-roads-with-new-numbers-will-parallel-old-us-routes.html |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> This highway would have run between I-78 (which would have split to another branch that used the [[Williamsburg Bridge]]) and I-278.<ref name="log-1970">{{cite book |author=[[New York State Department of Transportation]] |url=http://www.eastcoastroads.com/pdfs/state70.pdf |title=Description of Touring Routes in New York State for the Interstate (I), Federal (U.S.) and State (N.Y.) Route Number Systems |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=March 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729021013/http://www.eastcoastroads.com/pdfs/state70.pdf |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The state government solicited bids for a ramp connecting the expressway to the bridge's Manhattan end in 1965.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1965 |title=Build X-Way Now, Moses Urges |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-build-x-way-now-moses-urges/139284443/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=85}}</ref> The Lower Manhattan Expressway project was canceled in March 1971,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Vines |first=Francis X. |date=March 25, 1971 |title=Lower Manhattan Road Killed Under State Plan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/03/25/archives/lower-manhattan-road-killed-under-state-plan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613001448/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/03/25/archives/lower-manhattan-road-killed-under-state-plan.html |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the I-478 designation was applied to the [[Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel]].<ref name="2017log">{{cite book |url=https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2017%20tour-bk.pdf |title=Official Description of Highway Touring Routes, Bicycling Touring Routes, Scenic Byways, & Commemorative/Memorial Designations in New York State |author=[[New York State Department of Transportation]] |date=January 2017 |access-date=January 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110020634/https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/repository/2017%20tour-bk.pdf |archive-date=January 10, 2017}}</ref> A fragment of the never-built expressway's onramp still exists above the Manhattan side of the bridge's center roadway.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 6, 2001 |title=Manhattan Bridge Walkway |url=https://forgotten-ny.com/2001/07/manhattan-bridge-walkway/ |access-date=August 31, 2020 |work=forgotten-ny.com}}</ref>

== Public transportation ==
The bridge was originally intended to carry four [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]] (BRT; later [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]] or BMT) subway tracks on the lower level, as well as four trolley tracks on the upper level. The trolley tracks were carried around the Manhattan side's colonnade, while the subway tracks did not emerge from street level until south of the colonnade.<ref name="AAA 1912" />{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=52}}

===Streetcar and bus service===
Before the bridge opened, the BRT and the [[Coney Island and Brooklyn Rail Road]] (CI&B) both submitted bids to run streetcar service on the bridge,<ref name="p572167278">{{cite news |date=March 6, 1909 |title=Wants to Use Manhattan Bridge |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572167278}}}}</ref> as did the Triborough Railroad Company.<ref name="p572276748">{{cite news |date=May 1, 1909 |title=Rival Traction Line: Triborough in Field Wants Manhattan Bridge Franchise as Beginning |work=New-York Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572276748}}}}</ref> The [[Manhattan Bridge Three Cent Line]] received a permit to operate across the bridge in July 1910, despite opposition from the BRT and CI&B.<ref name="p129198462">{{cite news |date=July 13, 1910 |title=Manhattan Bridge 3-Cent Line Granted a Certificate: Application Still Before Board of Estimate—other Lines in Brooklyn Did Not Offer to Run Cars to the Hudson at 5-Cent Fare. |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129198462}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 13, 1910 |title=Subway Extension Soon: Broadway-lexington Route Bids to Be Ready in September |work=New-York Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572378687}}}}</ref> The Three Cent Line still had not begun operating by 1911, when another firm, the Manhattan Bridge Service Company, applied for a franchise to operate streetcars across the bridge.<ref name="n138514744">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1911 |title=Three-Cent-Fare Line Takes Step Forward |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-three-cent-fare/138514744/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> After a subcommittee of the Board of Estimate recommended that the [[Brooklyn and North River Line]] receive a franchise,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1912 |title=Two 3-Cent Bridge Lines – Brooklyn & North River Railroad Also to Cross Manhattan Bridge |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1912/04/03/100582558.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> both the Three Cent Line and the Brooklyn and North River Line received franchises to operate across the bridge in mid-1912.<ref name="p129331396">{{cite news |date=August 15, 1912 |title=Brooklyn & North River Road: Permission Given to Operate Across the Manhattan Bridge From Flatbush Avenue. |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129331396}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 15, 1912 |title=Two Lines to Brooklyn: Permission Granted to Run Cars on Manhattan Bridge. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|97317725}}}}</ref>

Due to disputes over the franchises, the Three Cent Line did not run across the bridge until September 1912; it carried passengers between either of the bridge's terminals.<ref name="p129312013" /> The Brooklyn and North River Line began operating in December 1915,<ref name="p575588903">{{cite news |date=June 4, 1916 |title=3-Cent Line Wins in Bridge Fight: Hayward Bids North River Co. Not to Engage in "Undue Competition." |work=New-York Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575588903}}}}</ref> and a bus route started running across the bridge after the Brooklyn and North River Railroad Company stopped operating streetcars across the bridge in October 1919.<ref name="n138663556">{{Cite news |date=October 5, 1919 |title=City Busses Begin Manhattan Bridge Operation Today |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-city-busses-beg/138663556/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 2, 1919 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Have Bus Service |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-manhattan-bridge-to/138663523/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=10}}</ref> The Three Cent Line trolley was discontinued in November 1929<ref name="p1111747012" /> and replaced by a bus.<ref name="n138722923">{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1929 |title=Trolley Line on Manhattan Bridge Going |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-trolley-line-on-man/138722923/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> A [[tour bus service]], Culture Bus Loop II, began running across the bridge in 1973<ref>{{Cite news |last=Calta |first=Louis |date=October 17, 1973 |title=A Second Culture Bus to Loop Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/17/archives/a-second-culture-bus-to-loop-brooklyn-and-lower-manhattan.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and was discontinued in 1982.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1982 |title=Culture Bus a Victim of Too Few Riders; Culture Buses Dropped For Lack of Ridership |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/13/arts/culture-bus-victim-too-few-riders-culture-buses-dropped-for-lack-ridership.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[B51 (New York City bus)|B51]] bus began running across the bridge in 1985 as part of a [[pilot program]];<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Susan Heller |last2=Dunlap |first2=David W. |date=April 4, 1986 |title=New York Day by Day; Busing From Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/04/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-busing-from-brooklyn.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the route was discontinued in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mann |first=Ted |date=July 19, 2012 |title=MTA Readies Bus Revival; Two Years After Major Service Cuts, Commuters See More Buses and New Routes |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444330904577537461393815568 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, no [[MTA Regional Bus Operations]] routes use the bridge.<ref>{{Cite NYC bus map|M}}; {{Cite NYC bus map|B}}</ref>

===Subway service===
Four subway tracks are located on the lower deck of the bridge, two on each side of the lower roadway. The two tracks on the west side of the bridge (known as the south tracks) are used by the [[Q (New York City Subway service)|Q]] train at all times and the [[N (New York City Subway service)|N]] train at all times except late nights, when it uses the [[Montague Street Tunnel]]. The tracks on the east side (known as the north tracks) are used by the [[D (New York City Subway service)|D]] train at all times and the [[B (New York City Subway service)|B]] train on weekdays.<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref> For both pairs of tracks, the western track carries southbound trains, and the eastern track carries northbound trains. On the Manhattan side, the south tracks connect to [[Canal Street (BMT Broadway Line via Bridge)|Canal Street]] and become the express tracks of the [[BMT Broadway Line]], while the north tracks connect to the [[Chrystie Street Connection]] through [[Grand Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|Grand Street]] and become the express tracks on the [[IND Sixth Avenue Line]]. On the Brooklyn side, the two pairs merge under [[Flatbush Avenue]] to a large junction with the [[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]] and [[BMT Brighton Line]] at [[DeKalb Avenue (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)|DeKalb Avenue]].<ref name="tracks" />

In Brooklyn, the tracks have always connected to the [[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]] and the [[BMT Brighton Line]]; the junction between the lines was reconstructed in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1959 |title=Brooklyn Tie-Up To Last Till 1961; Flatbush Avenue Extension Is Bane for Drivers but Boon for BMT Riders |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/07/04/archives/brooklyn-tieup-to-last-till-1961-flatbush-avenue-extension-is-bane.html |access-date=December 25, 2020}}</ref> On the Manhattan side, the two north tracks originally connected to the [[BMT Broadway Line]] (where the south tracks now connect) while the two south tracks curved south to join the [[BMT Nassau Street Line]] towards [[Chambers Street (BMT Nassau Street Line)|Chambers Street]].<ref name="tracks">{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}}</ref> As a result of the Chrystie Street Connection, which linked the north tracks to the Sixth Avenue Line upon completion in 1967,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perlmutter |first1=Emanuel |date=November 16, 1967 |title=Subway Changes to Speed Service: Major Alterations in Maps, Routes and Signs Will Take Effect Nov. 26 |page=1 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/11/16/90418352.pdf |access-date=July 7, 2015}}</ref> the Nassau Street connection was severed.<ref name="tracks" /> There were also unbuilt plans in the 1960s to have [[Long Island Rail Road]] trains use the subway tracks.<ref name="p915541855">{{cite news |last=Zinman |first=David |date=June 20, 1993 |title=Approve Survey of LIRR-Subway Link |work=Newsday |page=7 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915541855}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Neal |date=November 16, 1965 |title=LIRR Would Roll to Wall St. Area in a BMT Linkup |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-lirr-would-roll-to-wall-st-a/139278150/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=330}}</ref>

====Trackage history====
<!-- {{main|Manhattan Bridge subway closures}} -->
[[File:NYCS ManhattanBridge NorthSideTracks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A Manhattan-bound {{NYCS service|D}} train of [[R68 (New York City Subway car)|R68 cars]] crosses the bridge on the north tracks]]

The [[New York City Rapid Transit Commission]] recommended the construction of a subway line across the Manhattan Bridge in 1905,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1905 |title=$250,000,000 Subway Plans Recommended – Committee to Report General Scheme to Rapid Transit Board – For Baxter Street Loop – Alternative Plans for Bridge Relief Submitted – Three Routes Proposed for East Side Subway |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/03/01/101409589.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and this line was approved in 1907 as part of the [[Nassau Street Loop]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1907 |title=Subway Loop Approved; Will Have Four Tracks |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1907/01/26/106705313.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Unsuccessful proposals for rapid transit across the bridge included a two-track line for the [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]]<ref name="nyt-1908-05-27">{{Cite news |date=May 27, 1908 |title=Interborough Has New Railroad Plan; Offers to Build and Equip a Line Between Flatbush Avenue and Canal Street, Manhattan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/05/27/archives/interborough-has-new-railroad-plan-offers-to-build-and-equip-a-line.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507153036/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/05/27/archives/interborough-has-new-railroad-plan-offers-to-build-and-equip-a-line.html |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 27, 1908 |title=May Rival B. R. T.: Interborough's Offer Willing to Build Subway in Brooklyn and Give Five-cent Fare Advantage to Brooklynites Metz Opposed to Monopoly B. R. T. Won't Make Proposal |work=New-York Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572083800}}}}</ref> and a two-track extension of a four-track BRT elevated line.<ref name="n138589723">{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1907 |title=Would Four-Track Flatbush Extension |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-would-four-track-flatbush-ex/138589723/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 20, 1907 |title=BRT Wants L Tracks to Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brt-wants-l-tra/138589824/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref> The New York City Public Service Commission requested permission to start constructing the subway tracks in March 1909.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1909 |title=Asks to Start Work on Bridge Subway – Service Board Says Metz's Figures Show City Able to Build All of Fourth Ave. Route – Bridge Loop for the City – Board Would Retain Control Owing to Its Strategic Advantages – $1,500,000 More Would Add Greatly to Its Capacity |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/03/01/101381308.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Amid financial difficulties, and uncertainty over what subway lines would connect to the bridge in Brooklyn,<ref name="n138416455">{{Cite news |date=January 25, 1909 |title=City's Finances Make Subways Impossible |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-citys-finances/138415615/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=18 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 17, 1909 |title=Bassett Suggests Two Other Routes |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bassett-suggests-two/138416455/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> the subway tracks were approved in May 1909.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1909 |title=Now Ready to Build Tri-Borough Subway – Bradley-Gaffney-Steers Syndicate Incorporates to Join Brooklyn and Bronx – Canal Street Link First – Thence to Flatbush Over Manhattan Bridge – Broadway and Lexington Avenue Line to Come Later |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/05/01/101879422.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The subway tracks on the Manhattan Bridge opened on June 22, 1915, along with the Fourth Avenue Line and the [[BMT Sea Beach Line|Sea Beach Line]].<ref name="Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1915">{{cite web |title=Through Tube to Coney, 48 Minutes: First Train on Fourth Avenue Route Beats West End Line Eleven Minutes |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48814840/ |newspaper=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |access-date=June 29, 2015 |date=June 22, 1915}}</ref> Initially, the north tracks carried trains to [[Midtown Manhattan]] via the Broadway Line, while the south tracks carried Sea Beach trains that terminated at Chambers Street.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Bankers' and Investors' Manual |publisher=Commercial Newspaper Company |year=1924 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-pGm4nDSKwIC&pg=PA839 |page=839}}</ref>

When the Nassau Street Loop was completed on May 29, 1931, service on the south tracks declined,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg4KAQAAMAAJ&q=1977 |title=A History of the New York City Subway System |last1=Cunningham |first1=Joseph |last2=DeHart |first2=Leonard O. |date=January 1, 1993 |publisher=J. Schmidt, R. Giglio, and K. Lang |language=en}}</ref> and traffic disproportionately used the north tracks.<ref name="p1322303107" /><ref name="EC p. 127" /> Trains from the Sea Beach, [[BMT Brighton Line|Brighton]], and [[BMT West End Line|West End]] lines used the north tracks, while the south tracks were used only by short-turning trains from the West End and [[IND Culver Line|Culver]] lines.<ref name="p1322303107" /> Approximately three times as many trains were using the north tracks than the south tracks by 1953,<ref name="The New York Times 1953 n510" /> and 92 percent of subway trains used the north tracks by 1956.<ref name="EC p. 280">{{harvnb|Edelsburg|Cane|1956|ps=.|p=280}}</ref> The [[Chrystie Street Connection]] opened on November 26, 1967, with a connection to the north tracks;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C0CE0DD1738E23ABC4F51DFB767838C679EDE|title=BMT-IND Changes Bewilder Many; Transit Authority Swamped With Calls From Riders as New System Starts|date=November 27, 1967|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|last1=Perlmutter|first1=Emanuel|access-date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211164816/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/11/27/archives/bmtind-changes-bewilder-many-transit-authority-swamped-with-calls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the south tracks were rerouted to the Broadway Line, while the Nassau Line was disconnected from the bridge.<ref name="tracks" />

Repairs to the tracks commenced in August 1983,<ref name="nyt-1983-08-04">{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Ari L. |date=August 4, 1983 |title=Brooklyn Trains Will Be Delayed in Bridge Repair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/04/nyregion/brooklyn-trains-will-be-delayed-in-bridge-repair.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Seaton |first=Charles |date=August 8, 1983 |title=Subway bridge delays start |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-work/24725613/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=72}}</ref> requiring closures of some subway tracks for three months.<ref name="nyt-1983-11-15">{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1983 |title=The City; Manhattan Bridge Reopens for IND |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/15/nyregion/the-city-manhattan-bridge-reopens-for-ind.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 14, 1983 |title=What Else Is News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-what-else-is-news/139502675/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=201}}</ref> Further repairs occurred in 1985.<ref name=nyt-1985-11-02>{{Cite news|last=The Associated Press|date=November 2, 1985|title=Repair of the Subway Tracks On Manhattan Bridge Is Done|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/02/nyregion/repair-of-the-subway-tracks-on-manhattan-bridge-is-done.html|access-date=January 25, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The north tracks were closed for a longer-term repair in April 1986.<ref name="The New York Times 1986" /> The north tracks were reopened and the south tracks were closed simultaneously in December 1988.<ref name="p278125858" /> A projection for a reopening date was initially made for 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=Update: Those Weeklong Repairs May Be Done by '95 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/17/nyregion/update-those-weeklong-repairs-may-be-done-by-95.html |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 17, 1992 |access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> That year, the north tracks were closed during off-peak hours for six months. The south tracks finally reopened on July 22, 2001, whereby the north tracks were again closed.<ref name="p305613525">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|305613525}} |title=Big Crush at Subway Station With Reroutings |first1=Jonathan |last1=Lemire |first2=Pete |last2=Donohue |page=3 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |date=July 25, 2001 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Dewan |first=Shaila K. |date=July 23, 2001 |title=For Riders, Many Riddles, Written in Q's, D's and W's |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/23/nyregion/for-riders-many-riddles-written-in-q-s-d-s-and-w-s.html |access-date=May 16, 2023}}</ref> The south tracks was closed on weekends from April to November 2003. On February 22, 2004, the north tracks were reopened.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/nyregion/a-subway-map-remade-in-hopes-of-matching-routes-and-riders.html |title=A Subway Map Remade, In Hopes of Matching Routes and Riders |last=Luo |first=Michael |date=February 20, 2004 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref>

{{clear}}

====Tracks used====
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''1967–1986'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late&nbsp;nights
|-
|{{rint|newyork|B}}
|colspan=2|north
|colspan=3 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Bd}}
|north
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|D}}
|colspan=3|north
|-
|{{rint|newyork|N}}
|colspan=2|south
|colspan=3 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|[[File:QB Train (1979-1985).svg|20px|link=Q (New York City Subway service)]]/{{rint|newyork|Qd}}
|south
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|}

'''1986–1988: North tracks closed'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late&nbsp;nights
|-
||[[File:NYCS-bull-trans-B yellow.svg|20px|link=B (New York City Subway service)]]
|colspan=2|south
|colspan=3 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|[[File:NYCS-bull-trans-D yellow.svg|20px|link=D (New York City Subway service)]]
|colspan=3|south
|-
|{{rint|newyork|N}}
|colspan=1 bgcolor=silver|no service
|colspan=2|south
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Q}}
|south
|colspan=3 bgcolor=silver|no service
|}

'''1988–2001: South tracks closed'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late nights
|-
|{{rint|newyork|B}}
|colspan=2|north
|bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|D}}
|colspan=3|north
|-
|[[File:NYCS-bull-trans-Q orange.svg|20px|link=Q (New York City Subway service)]]
|north
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|}

{{col-break|gap=20%}}

'''2001–2004: North tracks closed'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late nights
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Q}}
|colspan=3|south
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Qd}}
|south
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|W}}
|colspan=2|south
|bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|}

'''2013–2014: Montague Street Tunnel closed'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/13/nyregion/east-river-subway-tunnel-is-to-reopen-with-storm-repairs-done.html |title=Subway Tunnel to Open, Storm Repairs Finished |author=McGeehan, Patrick |date=September 12, 2014 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late&nbsp;nights
|-
|{{rint|newyork|B}}
|north
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|D}}
|colspan=3|north
|-
|{{rint|newyork|N}}
|colspan=3|south
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Q}}
|colspan=3|south
|-
|{{rint|newyork|R}}
|bgcolor=silver|no service
|south
|bgcolor=silver|no service
|}

'''2004–2013, 2014-present'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Service
!colspan=3|Time&nbsp;period/<br />Tracks&nbsp;used
|-
!Weekdays
!Weekends
!Late&nbsp;nights
|-
|{{rint|newyork|B}}
|north
|colspan=2 bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|D}}
|colspan=3|north
|-
|{{rint|newyork|N}}
|colspan=2|south
|bgcolor=silver|no service
|-
|{{rint|newyork|Q}}
|colspan=3|south
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==Tolls==
{{further|Congestion pricing in New York City#Tolls}}
Initially, motorists had to pay a ten-cent toll, the same as the toll on the Brooklyn Bridge.<ref name="n138518564">{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1910 |title=Manhattan Bridge Proves Vast Help |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138518564/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=8 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Shortly after the Manhattan Bridge opened, the city government conducted a study and found that it had no authority to charge tolls on the Manhattan and [[Queensboro Bridge|Queensboro]] bridges.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1911 |title=To Abolish Tolls On City Bridges; Mayor Gaynor Believes There Is No Legal Warrant for Taxing Vehicle Traffic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1911/07/07/archives/to-abolish-tolls-on-city-bridges-mayor-gaynor-believes-there-is-no.html |access-date=June 28, 2019 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Tolls on the Manhattan Bridge, as well as the Queensboro, [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]], and [[Brooklyn Bridge|Brooklyn]] bridges, were abolished in July 1911 as part of a populist policy initiative headed by New York City mayor [[William Jay Gaynor]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1911 |title=Prize Fund for Atwood; Talk of One After Washington Commerce Chamber Refuses to Help |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1911/07/19/archives/prize-fund-for-atwood-talk-of-one-after-washington-commerce-chamber.html |access-date=July 1, 2019 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 18, 1911 |title=Aldermen Abolish Tolls for Wagons on Bridges |url=https://newspapers.com/clip/33421526/ |access-date=July 1, 2019 |work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=1}}</ref> 

In 1970, the federal government enacted the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]], a series of federal air pollution regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Within |first=Richard |date=April 15, 1973 |title=Shift on Emission May Cost Drivers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/shift-on-emission-may-cost-drivers-granted-2year-delay-compensation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829081030/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/shift-on-emission-may-cost-drivers-granted-2year-delay-compensation.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |access-date=August 29, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As part of a plan by mayor [[John Lindsay]] and the federal [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]],<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields2">{{Cite news |last1=Dembart |first1=Lee |date=June 16, 1977 |title=Broad Parking Ban in Manhattan Begins as Mayor Yields to Ruling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/broad-parking-ban-in-manhattan-begins-as-mayor-yields-to-ruling-206.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829122855/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/broad-parking-ban-in-manhattan-begins-as-mayor-yields-to-ruling-206.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the city government considered implementing tolls on the four East River bridges, including the Manhattan Bridge, in the early 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Witkin |first=Richard |date=March 13, 1971 |title=City Bridge-Toll Plans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/03/13/archives/city-bridgetoll-plans-plan-for-tolls-on-four-east-river-bridges-is.html |access-date=March 29, 2022 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 22, 1970 |title=Bridge Toll Study |work=Newsday |page=13 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|916064041}}}}</ref> The plan would have raised money for New York City's transit system<ref name="n1332959732">{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1971 |title=He Calls Toll on Bridges a Benefit to Straphangers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-he-calls-toll-on-bridges-a-be/133295973/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |work=New York Daily News |pages=314 |via=newspapers.com |issn=2692-1251}}</ref> and allowed the city to meet the Clean Air Act.<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields2" /> [[Abraham Beame]], who became mayor in 1974, refused to implement the tolls,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weisman |first1=Steven R. |date=August 6, 1977 |title=Beame, U.S. Reach an 'Understanding' on a Parking Ban |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/06/archives/beame-us-reach-an-understanding-on-a-parking-ban-court-gives-them-2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121700/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/06/archives/beame-us-reach-an-understanding-on-a-parking-ban-court-gives-them-2.html |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and the [[United States Congress]] subsequently moved to forbid tolls on the East River bridges.<ref name="NYT 1977 mayor yields2" /> The [[United States Department of Transportation]] determined that the eastern upper roadway of the Manhattan Bridge was partially built with federal funds and, under federal law, could not be tolled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 12, 1976 |title=2 Federal Agencies Clash on a Toll Plan For River Bridges |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/12/archives/2-federal-agencies-clash-on-a-toll-plan-for-river-bridges.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

A plan for [[congestion pricing in New York City]] was approved in mid-2023,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strahan |first1=Tracie |last2=Siff |first2=Andrew |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Congestion Pricing in NYC Gets Fed Approval, Final Call Likely Weeks Away |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/congestion-pricing-in-nyc-gets-fed-approval-final-call-likely-weeks-away/4306697/ |access-date=May 5, 2023 |website=NBC New York}}</ref> allowing the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] to toll drivers who enter Manhattan south of [[60th Street (Manhattan)|60th Street]].<ref name="Nessen 2024 t852">{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=April 15, 2024 |title=Which drivers get tolled under congestion pricing on the Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges? It's complicated. |url=https://gothamist.com/news/which-drivers-get-tolled-under-congestion-pricing-on-the-brooklyn-and-queensboro-bridges-its-complicated |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=Gothamist}}</ref> Congestion pricing was implemented in January 2025;<ref name="Anderson o055">{{cite web |last=Hu |first=Winnie |last2=Ley |first2=Ana |date=January 5, 2025 |title=New York City Welcomes Congestion Pricing With Fanfare and Complaints |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/nyregion/nyc-congestion-pricing-tolls.html |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Bridge |first=Rowan |date=January 5, 2025 |title=New York becomes first US city with congestion charge |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr2wn3zvqvo |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=BBC Home}}</ref> all Manhattan-bound drivers pay a toll after using the bridge, which varies based on the time of day. Although no toll is charged upon exiting the congestion zone, all Brooklyn-bound drivers must pay a toll to access streets leading to the bridge.<ref name="Anderson l657">{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Renee |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Congestion pricing maps show which New York roads and tunnels are and are not impacted |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-maps/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=CBS New York |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Russo-Lennon |first=Barbara |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Congestion pricing: Where you will pay (and not pay) tolls in Manhattan |url=https://www.amny.com/news/congestion-pricing-where-tolls-are-in-manhattan/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=amNewYork}}</ref>

==Impact==<!-- section to be expanded -->
When the Manhattan Bridge was being developed, the ''[[Brooklyn Standard Union]]'' described it as "of greater capacity than either the Williamsburg or Brooklyn bridges, yet lighter and more artistic".<ref name="n138527196" /> The ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' predicted that the bridge's completion would spur the redevelopment of residential areas in Downtown Brooklyn,<ref name="n138594420">{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1908 |title=Real Estate Situation Is Being Revolutionized |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-real-estate-sit/138594420/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=36}}</ref> and the ''New-York Tribune'' said that warehouses would be developed in Lower Manhattan when the Manhattan Bridge opened.<ref name="n138415777">{{Cite news |date=January 24, 1909 |title=In the Big Warehouse Zone |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-in-the-big-warehouse-zo/138415777/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=12}}</ref> The bridge's opening significantly reduced patronage on several ferry lines that had traveled between Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.<ref name="nyt-1910-03-31">{{Cite news |date=March 31, 1910 |title=More Ferries Lose Traffic; Manhattan Bridge Opening Compels Union Co. To Lay Off Three Crews. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/03/31/archives/more-ferries-lose-traffic-manhattan-bridge-opening-compels-union-co.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref>

One local civic group predicted that large numbers of Jewish residents would move from Manhattan's [[Lower East Side]] to Brooklyn as a result of the bridge's opening.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 31, 1909 |title=Big Jewish Colony for South Brooklyn |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-big-jewish-colo/138485402/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref> These included numerous Jewish families displaced by the bridge's construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 8, 1908 |title=Real Estate Market Normal for August |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-real-estate-market-normal-fo/138605086/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=3}}</ref> In addition, numerous industrial and factory buildings were built around the bridge's Brooklyn approach in the 1910s.<ref name="p99864517">{{cite news |date=December 23, 1917 |title=Manufacturing Centre Created at Manhattan Bridge Plaza in Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/12/23/archives/manufacturing-centre-created-at-manhattan-bridge-plaza-in-brooklyn.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=31 |id={{ProQuest|99864517}}}}</ref> Some of the land under the bridge's approaches was leased out;<ref>See, for example: {{Cite news |date=August 27, 1920 |title=City Land Leased for Big Project; Square Block Under Manhattan Bridge Is Taken for a 20-Year Term |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/08/27/archives/city-land-leased-for-big-project-square-block-under-manhattan.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 3, 1925 |title=Says Paper Trucks Got City Space Free; Area Under Manhattan Bridge Reported Used by Truckmen Whom Hearst Employs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/06/03/archives/says-paper-trucks-got-city-space-free-area-under-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> for example, a Chinese theater was built under the Manhattan approach in the 1940s,<ref name="p559635986">{{cite news |last=Ferris |first=John |date=May 24, 1942 |title=Odd Chinese Theater Thrives In New York: Hawkers Cry Their Wares, Audiences Seemingly Indifferent Drift In and Out, Children Play Gleefully in the Aisles as Oriental Actors Go Through Their Age-Old Roles |work=The Hartford Courant |page=A1 |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|559635986}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=February 15, 1942 |title=Theatre in Chinatown; Under Manhattan Bridge Flourishes the City's One Chinese Theatre |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/02/15/archives/theatre-in-chinatown-under-manhattan-bridge-flourishes-the-citys.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a shopping mall was built there in the 1980s.<ref name="nyt-1983-07-31">{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Shawn G. |date=July 31, 1983 |title=Under Manhattan Bridge, A Mall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/31/realestate/postings-under-manhattan-bridge-a-mall.html |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The area under the Brooklyn approach became known as [[Dumbo, Brooklyn|Dumbo]], short for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass", in the late 20th century<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnard |first=Anne |date=December 25, 2007 |title=District Trying to Forge a New Identity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/nyregion/25journal.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and became an upscale residential neighborhood by the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=C. J. |date=January 16, 2019 |title=Dumbo, Brooklyn: Preserved in Amber. Sort Of. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/realestate/dumbo-brooklyn-preserved-in-amber-sort-of.html |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In the two decades following the Manhattan Bridge's completion, few bridges with longer spans were constructed.<ref name="Gimsing Georgakis 2011 p. 1-PA12" /> Nonetheless, the use of the deflection theory enabled the construction of longer suspension bridges in the early 20th century.<ref name="ascemetsection" /> Two of the world's largest [[List of longest suspension bridge spans|suspension bridge spans]] built in the 1930s, the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] and the [[George Washington Bridge]], incorporated deflection theory into their designs.<ref name="Xu Xia 2011 p. 13" />

The bridge was the subject of American artist [[Edward Hopper]]'s 1928 painting ''[[Manhattan Bridge Loop]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Avis |date=March 27, 2005 |title=Unblinking Witness to a Moody Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/nyregion/thecity/unblinking-witness-to-a-moody-town.html |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{scalable image|Manhattan Bridge by David Shankbone.jpg|1000px|The full span, with the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] in the foreground}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="220">
File:Manhattan bridge.jpg|Cross section of the bridge
File:Manhattan Bridge Lower Level.jpg|Manhattan-bound lower level
File:Manhattan Br Western columns jeh.JPG|One of the pedestrian walkways
File:MB north bikeway jeh.JPG|Bikeway in Manhattan
File:Manhattan Bridge- July 13, 2022.jpg|Brooklyn side of the walking path at sunset

</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of bridges and tunnels in New York City]]
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Brooklyn]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street]]

==References==

=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite report |date=November 25, 1975 |title=The Arch and Colonnade of the Manhattan Bridge Approach |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0899.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975}} |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]}}
* {{cite report |url=https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2279.pdf |title=Dumbo Historic District |date=December 18, 2007 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2007}}}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Edelsburg |first1=Edward |last2=Cane |first2=Philip |date=Feb 1956 |title=First Aid for an Ailing bridge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u-EDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA126 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |publisher=Hearst Magazines |issn=0032-4558}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=February 1, 1908 |title=Erection of the Manhattan Bridge Across the East River. |magazine=Scientific American |volume=XCVIII |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|126797944}} |ref={{harvid|Scientific American|1908a}}}}
* {{cite report |date=July 13, 1981 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/83001694.pdf |access-date=April 12, 2021 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]] |ref={{sfnref|National Park Service|1983}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Macaulay-Lewis |first=Elizabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwyjzQEACAAJ |title=Antiquity in Gotham: The Ancient Architecture of New York City |date=2021 |publisher=Fordham University Press |isbn=978-0-8232-9384-1 |oclc=1176326519}}
* {{cite magazine |date=September 1904 |title=The New Manhattan Bridge; A Bridge Beautiful As Well As Useful |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924015151412&view=1up&seq=559 |journal=Architects' and Builders' Magazine |volume=36 |pages=547–554 |number=12 |ref={{sfnref|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Reier |first=Sharon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jeO7AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 |title=The Bridges of New York |publisher=Dover Publications |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-486-13705-6 |series=New York City}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Ripley |first=Charles M. |date=May 1, 1907 |title=Anchorage for Brooklyn Bridge No. 3: the Pyramids of Egypt Versus the Manhattan Anchorage the Contractor's Plant |magazine=Concrete Engineering |id={{ProQuest|128384678}}}}
* {{cite NY1900}}
* {{cite magazine |year=1904 |title=Tower Foundations of the Manhattan Bridge Across the East River, New York City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EGxH5mgntHEC&pg=PA345-IA7 |magazine=Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer |publisher=McGraw Publishing Company |volume=49 |issue=11 |ref={{harvid|Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer|1904}}}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{HAER |survey=NY-127 |id=ny0980 |title=Manhattan Bridge}}
* [http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bridges/manhattanbrg.shtml Manhattan Bridge] at [http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/ New York City DOT]
* [http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?193:1909 Manhattan Bridge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615000636/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?193:1909 |date=June 15, 2010 }} at [http://www.nycsubway.org/ NYCsubway.org]

{{Navboxes
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|structure       = Crossings
|place           = [[East River]]
|bridge          = Manhattan Bridge
|bridge signs    = {{NYCS Manhattan Bridge|time=bullets}}
|upstream        = [[Rutgers Street Tunnel]]
|upstream signs  = {{NYCS Sixth Rutgers|time=bullets}}
|downstream      = [[Brooklyn Bridge]]
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{{NYC Bridge}}
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{{National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan}}
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[[Category:1909 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Bike paths in New York City]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1909]]
[[Category:Bridges in Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Bridges in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New York City]]
[[Category:Bridges over the East River]]
[[Category:Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Double-decker bridges]]
[[Category:Dumbo, Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in New York City]]
[[Category:Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks]]
[[Category:Interstate 78]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Brooklyn]]
[[Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan]]
[[Category:New York State Register of Historic Places in Kings County]]
[[Category:New York State Register of Historic Places in New York County]]
[[Category:Pedestrian bridges in New York City]]
[[Category:Railroad bridges in New York City]]
[[Category:Railroad bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New York City]]
[[Category:Rapid transit bridges]]
[[Category:Road bridges in New York City]]
[[Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New York City]]
[[Category:Road-rail bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Suspension bridges in New York City]]
[[Category:Warren truss bridges in the United States]]