How Many Bridges Are There in New York City?
There are a total of 2,027 bridges in New York City. While that number seems massive, many are quite small, and only about 789 of the bridges require regular maintenance from the NYC DOT. And when it comes to large and impressive bridges, there are less than fifty major bridges in the city.
How Many Bridges Are There in Manhattan?
There are 21 bridges in Manhattan, which connect it to the rest of the city. These include some of the most famous bridges in New York City, such as the George Washington Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Williamsburg Bridge. Manhattan also has 15 tunnels connecting it with the rest of NYC.
12 Most Famous NYC Bridges
- Brooklyn Bridge
- George Washington Bridge
- Manhattan Bridge
- Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Throgs Neck Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
- Triborough Bridge
- Wards Island Bridge
- Henry Hudson Bridge
- Queensboro Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The most famous bridge in New York City is the Brooklyn Bridge. This Neo-Gothic cable-stayed suspension bridge is in the background of millions of pictures every year. Out of all the bridges in New York City, this one was the very first steel-wire suspension bridge.
This bridge hosts all types of crossers. You can drive, walk, and even bike across the unique pathways formed by the Brooklyn Bridge. It crosses the East River. It’s a tourist magnet, and locals might find themselves trapped by visitors eager to see the gorgeous structure.
The Brooklyn Bridge is the center of poems and a landmark in love stories. It’s gorgeous to look at during the day and mysteriously wonderful to view in the evening, with spooky lights illuminating the side of the structure.
George Washington Bridge
The second most famous bridge in NYC is the George Washington Bridge, which connects New York to New Jersey. The George Washington Bridge is the biggest in New York and is also the world’s only 14-lane bridge. Thousands of people make that commute across this iconic landmark every day. Fort Washington Park sits right underneath the bridge, and both bikers and pedestrians can walk across the path if they want to make the trek.
This bridge is one of the best ways to get out of the city fast if you want to head to the rest of the United States. It’s a gorgeous steel structure that serves as a beam of light in the city.
Manhattan Bridge
Another famous New York City bridge is the Manhattan Bridge. It goes across the East River and connects Lower Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn. In recent years, the Manhattan Bridge has become a background staple in social media pictures from its viewpoint in the DUMBO neighborhood - Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
When a subway crosses this bridge, it’s known to give a sway. It’s one of the most famous suspension bridges in New York City and provides competition for the Brooklyn Bridge as a spectacle for tourists.
Drivers, bikers, and pedestrians can all take advantage of this bridge. It has a still structure that makes it appear like a polished statue compared to the neo-gothic appearance of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a gorgeous double-decker suspension structure that connects Brooklyn and Staten Island. It’s a popular choice if you want to get out of the city, providing a simple way to get to New Jersey and the rest of the United States if you want to travel in your free time.
This bridge is car-only, and it requires a toll to get across. It’s a structure that can easily be seen from all five boroughs of New York City. The New York Marathon starts from the Staten Island area of the bridge and has done so since 1976. It’s one of the younger bridges of New York City.
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is another popular bridge that works hard to get people from place to place every day. It connects the Lower East Side of Manhattan directly to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, hence the name. This suspension bridge is parallel to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, though further North than these iconic landmarks.
Everything and everyone crosses the Williamsburg Bridge. Pedestrians, bikes, cars, and even subway lines make their way over the noisy surface. It’s a no-nonsense kind of bridge that gives an industrial feel, similar in tone to New York City. Though many plans have appeared and vanished over the years to spruce the bridge up, it remained simple.
Throgs Neck Bridge
The Throgs Neck Bridge runs parallel with another bridge we’ll discuss, the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. It stretches across the East River, a glorious suspension bridge carrying the weight of six lanes of traffic at once. It was initially formed to relieve some of the traffic going in and out of the city. But, unfortunately, it’s done the opposite.
This bridge connects the Bronx to Queens and Long Island. It’s popularly known as the “Frog’s Neck” bridge by citizens of New York, young and old alike. Even George Washington called these connection points by this fun nickname, citing it as an easy-to-defend point for the city.
Kosciuszko Bridge
The Kosciuszko Bridge is one of the most uniquely-names bridges in New York City. It connects Greenpoint in Brooklyn with Maspeth in Queens. It was initially called the Penny Bridge before being destroyed and rebuilt into today’s version, though it’s been destroyed and rebuilt many times since then for the best results.
Although a cars-only bridge for the longest time, the Kosciuszko Bridge recently opened a path for pedestrians and bikers to create a better way for people to cross. It was replaced in 2020 to make this addition and add more room for cars to make their way across the city.
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge was created to connect the LaGuardia Airport and the 1939 World’s Fair. It was constructed quickly and finished a single day before this event happened, making for one of the quickest construction schedules in the city. It’s proven its effectiveness over time.
The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge was supposed to decrease traffic, but that’s difficult to determine with so many new people in the city. The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge is the preferred way to get to LaGuardia for many, though a subway line will soon head in that direction for those who don’t have a car.
Triborough Bridge
The Triborough Bridge, also known as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, does what it says - connects three boroughs. The Triborough Bridge connects Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx for commuters. You get access to offices, roads, and parks all from this one conglomerate.
Pedestrians can make their way across the Triborough Bridge, but bicycles are not allowed. No matter where you want to go, the Triborough Bridge can help you get there quickly if the traffic is clear. It’s a vast connection point for many that will continue to serve as a critical commute location for New York residents.
Wards Island Bridge
The Wards Island Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that can only be seen from very specific spots in Manhattan. It connects this borough to Wards and Randalls Island, making it simple to access any fun activities going on there. However, the aesthetics of this creation make it look more like an art piece than a way to get to the island.
You won’t find any cars at this crossing at 103rd Street off of the East River Esplanade. The bridge was initially built in 1951 but remained closed for many years due to safety concerns. After millions of dollars in renovations, the Wards Island Bridge reopened in 2012.
Henry Hudson Bridge
The Henry Hudson Bridge is a steel bridge that connects Inwood in Manhattan to the Bronx. It used to be green to blend in with the park it crossed over but has since transformed back to a traditional steel color. The Henry Hudson Bridge requires a toll for those who want to use it, so be ready for that if you need to use it in your commute.
Bikes and cars can both make their way across the Henry Hudson Bridge. It’s a beautiful way to get where you need to go if you’re trying to get from the affordable neighborhood of Inwood to the Bronx or vice versa.
Queensboro Bridge
Since 2009, the Queensboro Bridge is now the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. It connects Long Island City right to Midtown East. If you cross the bridge, you’ll notice that it goes over Roosevelt Island on its way across the East River. However, you need to take a separate bridge to get to this tiny island with a car.
The Queensboro Bridge has featured in literature and films, including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. It’s a double-decker system that goes right along with a tram. Many features have been added over time to improve movement for citizens. Pedestrians can take an elevator to get to Roosevelt Island from the center.
NYC Bridges Bottom Line
With over 2,000 bridges in NYC, there are many different types of bridges in the city. Wherever you go, you'll be close to a bridge in this exciting city, whether it's an iconic bridge like the Brooklyn Bridge or George Washington Bridge or a smaller bridge you've never heard of. If you're interested in bridges, New York City is the perfect place to explore.