April 26, 2008
Brooklyn Bridge to Get Structural, Cosmetic Makeover
At 125 years old, it's time for the Brooklyn Bridge to undergo a little fix-up work. The Dept. of Transportation is about to begin a multi-year series of projects to shore up Roebling's bridge structurally, as well as give it a cosmetic touch-up. Popular Mechanics recently named the Brooklyn Bridge one of the top ten pieces of national infrastructure most in need of repair, although those concerns were primarily directed at the on- and off-ramps to the span.
Cracks on the ramps leading to and from the bridge will be repaired between 2009 and 2014 and their supports will be strengthened. The ramp from the eastern side of the bridge to the FDR will also be widened to two lanes to ease traffic. The Bridge's block arches--weakened by salt and water--will be reinforced to make them more earthquake resistant.
A two-year project will also be undertaken to paint the bridge a light beige coffee color, to restore the original appearance of the span. That job will be performed by a pair of barges beginning in the middle of the East River and working towards the Brooklyn and Manhattan shores. Following the collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis, major spans underwent inspections and the Brooklyn Bridge scored fairly low on a 7-point scale of safety.
Brooklyn Bridge and cloud, by The Life of Boyne at flickr
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Years ago I put a shoe ...i guess it wont be there anymore..
Michi
www.glimpseofnewyork.com
"Cracks on the ramps leading to and from the bridge will be repaired between 2009 and 20014."
Thats no typo - its because of the possibility the MTA may be involved.
They should tear down that old bridge and put up condos. Either that or charge tolls coming into Manhattan. It's been paid for and now is the time to replace it with a glass and steel structure.
And I bet the MTA will use this as an opportunity to surround the walkway with chain-link fence, just as they've done with every other bridge walkway. Morons.
Y'know, when they built the Brooklyn Bridge they tore down this country's first Presidential mansion - yep, good ol' George Washington lived there when NYC was our capitol.
I just hope the people work on the bridge will wear their harnesses.
correction: ...the people working on the bridge...
Actually George Washington's house on Cherry street was a rental. I would call it more the first President's residence although it was a mansion. The citizens of New York built a presidential mansion on the site of the old custom house, but no president ever lived there. The feds had moved to Philadelphia due to the availability of cheese steaks by the time it was finished (the mansion, not the cheese steaks.)