Bridge Birthday

It clearly does not stir at the imagination of other bridges, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, or the George Washington Bridge (which ryns 75 later this year), but a milestone was noted this week at the Triborough Bridge in New York.

On July 11, 1936 the Bridge was opened. When it opened it became a testament to what could be done by a man who prided himself on getting things done. That man, Robert Moses - later became known for being a bullying power broker. But in the Triborough Bridge a long-time dream f many was fulfilled in tying together in a ribbon the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. What was thought to be impossible became a reality. It was a major step in recreating the nature of the city and the region.

President Franklin Roosevelt attended the ceremony. Interestingly enough, the first vehicle to cross the bridge was not a car but a bicycle from the Bronx to Queens (It did not pay a toll). The first private car from the Bronx had to be pushed trough after it stalled (the driver had paid the 25 cent toll).

To mark the anniversary date, there were period cars driven by folks in period attire underneath the bridge (on land) on Randall's Island.

Part of the anniversary, there is also an exhibit on display "The Triborough Bridge: Robert Moses and the Automobile Age". But to see it you have to go to yet a fourth borough - Brooklyn, where it is being shown at the Transit Museum through next year.

Also see: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/nyregion/11bridge.html?_r=1&oref=slogin