The
Brooklyn Bridge (originally the New
York and Brooklyn Bridge), one of
the oldest suspension bridges in the
United States, stretches 5,989 feet
(1825 m)[1] over the East River connecting
the New York City boroughs of Manhattan
and Brooklyn. On completion, it was
the largest suspension bridge in the
world and the first steel-wire suspension
bridge. Plan of one tower for the
Brooklyn Bridge, 1867.Construction
began in January 3, 1870. The Brooklyn
Bridge was completed thirteen years
later and was opened for use on May
24, 1883. On that first day, a total
of 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people
crossed. The bridge's main span over
the East River is 1,595 feet (486
meters). The bridge cost $15.1 million
to build and approximately 27 people
died during its construction. A week
after the opening, on May 30, a rumor
that the Bridge was going to collapse
caused a stampede which crushed twelve
people.
|
|
