The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in America and is considered a national monument. Many visitors may be wondering how long is the Brooklyn Bridge and what is its history?
The Brooklyn Bridge runs across the East River and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was completed in 1883 and was the largest suspension bridge in the world for about 20 years. At the time, Brooklyn was much less populated than Manhattan. The purpose of the bridge was to eliminate over-population there while encouraging growth in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Bridge spans for 6,016 feet, or just over a mile long. The two famous pillars of the bridge are 276 feet high and there is a walking footpath that sits above the road so pedestrians can safely cross the bridge. The footpath alone attracts millions of visitors each year, since the walk offers beautiful skylines of the city.
The concept for the Brooklyn Bridge was developed by a German immigrant named John Roebling, who was also an experienced bridge designer. He became frustrated after a ferry trip across the East River that ended up stuck in ice. He designed the bridge, but did not see it completed—he died after a site accident before construction was finished. The bridge took 14 years to finish.
At first, the bridge was referred to as the New York and Brooklyn Bridge of the East River Bridge, but it was officially named the Brooklyn Bridge in 1915 by the New York City government.
The bridge serves as an alternate exit for people who need to get out of Manhattan when the subways aren’t working. An unforgettable scene unfolded when thousands of people walked the bridge after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Many people also used the bridge during the blackouts in 1963, 1975 and in 2003.
So how long is the Brooklyn Bridge It’s 6,016 feet long, or just over a mile.