ONE of the greatest bridges in the world, if not the greatest, is the new East River Bridge, connecting New York and Brooklyn about a mile and a half from the old Brooklyn Bridge. It is said to be the widest and strongest bridge in the world. The accompanying illustration will give one a fair idea of the mammoth structure. It is 118 feet wide, and its entire length between terminals is 7,200 feet. The length of the main span is 1,600 feet. It is thus 33 feet wider and 1,211 feet longer than the Brooklyn Bridge. It also exceeds the old bridge greatly in its carrying capacity, being double-decked and having six car tracks. The new bridge also surpasses the old in the firmness of its construction.
The New East River Bridge connecting New York and Brooklyn.
The foundations of the towers, which are made of concrete, are in every case sunk to bedrock. Upon these lowest foundations are built solid masonry piers, two for each tower, which rise 23 feet above high water. Massive granite pedestal blocks are set upon each pier to form the immediate support of the four legs of the tower. The tops of the towers are 335 feet above the river, and 442 feet above the lowest foundation. The center span of the bridge suspended over the East River channel, is carried on four great steel cables, each of which is 18 inches in diameter. Stiffness is imparted to the new bridge by two continuous lattice trusses 40 feet in depth and of great solidity. The new bridge has no terminal stations, the purpose being to give a broad, continuous thoroughfare, over which trains, vehicles, and pedestrians may pass without any interruption, the bridge thus forming a part of the street system of Greater New York.
