Topic
Bridges & Tunnels
√ NY Agencies
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)
responsible for the maintenance and operation of most of the city’s bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Queensboro Bridge. Mayor’s Management Report
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) oversees the maintenance and operation of the George Washington Bridge, the Outerbridge Crossing, and the Bayonne Bridge.
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) – responsible for the construction and development of new bridges, such as the new Kosciuszko Bridge. Mayor’s Management Report
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) – responsible for the maintenance and operation of the bridges that are part of the city’s transportation system, such as the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Henry Hudson Bridge, and the Throgs Neck Bridge.
√ Reports
Department of Transportation's Bridges and Tunnels Condition Report
New York City Department of Transportation’s Bridges and Tunnels Condition Report – provides an overview of the condition of the city’s bridges and tunnels, including information on maintenance needs and funding requirements.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides information on the daily vehicular use of its bridges and tunnels, noting that they serve more than 900,000 vehicles on an average day and that in 2019 more traffic was carried than by any other bridge and tunnel authority in the nation
MTA Capital Program
Bridge Strike Enforcement Campaign
A campaign by Governor Hochul’s office to prevent and raise awareness about bridge strikes, which have been reported to increase on the New York State Thruway’s superhighway
Bridge Ratings
NYC DOT owns, operates, and maintains nearly 800 bridges and tunnels throughout New York. Some bridges in NYC are operated by other agencies. This data provides information and condition of bridges in New York. NYC DOT also conducts studies and compiles rating and statistics for the bridges and publishes a Bridge and Tunnel Condition Report annually.
Department of Transportation's Bridges and Tunnels Condition Report
New York City Department of Transportation’s Bridges and Tunnels Condition Report – provides an overview of the condition of the city’s bridges and tunnels, including information on maintenance needs and funding requirements.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides information on the daily vehicular use of its bridges and tunnels, noting that they serve more than 900,000 vehicles on an average day and that in 2019 more traffic was carried than by any other bridge and tunnel authority in the nation
MTA Capital Program
Bridge Strike Enforcement Campaign
A campaign by Governor Hochul’s office to prevent and raise awareness about bridge strikes, which have been reported to increase on the New York State Thruway’s superhighway
Bridge Ratings
NYC DOT owns, operates, and maintains nearly 800 bridges and tunnels throughout New York. Some bridges in NYC are operated by other agencies. This data provides information and condition of bridges in New York. NYC DOT also conducts studies and compiles rating and statistics for the bridges and publishes a Bridge and Tunnel Condition Report annually.
√ Data sets
Bridge Condition Data
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) provides data on the condition of city bridges, including the percentage of bridge deck area in good, fair, and poor condition, as well as information on structural deficiencies and other issues.
Daily Traffic on MTA Bridges & Tunnels
MTA Bridges & Tunnels Monthly Traffic Rates
Construction and Maintenance Data
NYCDOT maintains data on bridge construction and maintenance projects, including information on project timelines, costs, and outcomes.
Safety Data
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles provides data on traffic accidents and fatalities involving bridges in New York City.
Data.world Bridge Dataset
There are 22 bridge datasets available on Data.world, including historical data on bicycle counts for East River Bridges, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge
√ Data visualizations
DOT Bi-Annual Pedestrian Count Locations Map
An index of pedestrian volumes tracking the long-term trends of neighborhood and commercial corridors. Data are collected at 114 locations around NYC, including 100 on-street locations. Screenline sampling are conducted during May and September on sidewalks, and/or mid-block (or mid-bridge).
NYC DOT Traffic Cameras
To view only NYC DOT cameras online, visit nyctmc.org or view a list of NYC DOT traffic cameras. NYC DOT cameras provide frequently updated still images from locations in the five boroughs. NYC DOT staff uses these cameras to monitor traffic conditions and may reposition them to view traffic from varying directions.
Port Authority Bridges & Tunnels
Web cams and crossing times for Port Authority bridges and tunnels.
Gateway and the Post-COVID Economy
Scenarios for Future Growth and Trans-Hudson Travel. The Regional Plan Association examined multiple scenarios for how travel demand could change using different assumptions about how many and how often people will continue to work from home and how much the region’s economy will grow in the future.
Posted Bridges Map
This site has been developed as a reference tool for operators of Commercial Vehicles to identify and locate structures in New York State where access and use is limited based on the vehicle’s weight
New York City Bridge & Tunnel Toll Locations
Google map of bridges and tunnels of New York City.
√ STATISTICS
Number of NYC Bridges
DOT
Longest suspension bridge
feet, PANYNJ
Opening of oldest bridge
High Bridge
Number of Bridges
New York City has over 2,000 bridges, including many iconic structures such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Age of Bridges
Many of New York City’s bridges were built in the early 20th century, with some dating back to the late 19th century. The oldest bridge in the city is the High Bridge, which opened in 1848.
Length of Bridges
The George Washington Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in New York City, with a total length of 4,760 feet. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the longest steel arch bridge in the United States, with a total length of 13,700 feet.
Traffic Volume
New York City’s bridges are heavily trafficked, with some carrying over 100,000 vehicles per day. The busiest bridge in the city is the George Washington Bridge, which carries over 103 million vehicles per year.
Safety Concerns
There are safety concerns associated with New York City’s bridges. DOT recorded 429
bridges strikes between 2013-2018, 51% of which occurred on just 10 corridors.
Number of NYC Bridges
DOT
Longest suspension bridge
feet, PANYNJ
Opening of oldest bridge
High Bridge
Number of Bridges
New York City has over 2,000 bridges, including many iconic structures such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Age of Bridges
Many of New York City’s bridges were built in the early 20th century, with some dating back to the late 19th century. The oldest bridge in the city is the High Bridge, which opened in 1848.
Length of Bridges
The George Washington Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in New York City, with a total length of 4,760 feet. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the longest steel arch bridge in the United States, with a total length of 13,700 feet.
Traffic Volume
New York City’s bridges are heavily trafficked, with some carrying over 100,000 vehicles per day. The busiest bridge in the city is the George Washington Bridge, which carries over 103 million vehicles per year.
Safety Concerns
There are safety concerns associated with New York City’s bridges. DOT recorded 429
bridges strikes between 2013-2018, 51% of which occurred on just 10 corridors.
√ Census & American Community Survey
Condition of bridges
American Community Survey (ACS): The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed social, economic, and housing data. It may include information on the condition and characteristics of bridges in New York State, such as the number of bridges, their age, usage, and proximity to communities.
Census of Governments
National Bridge Inventory (NBI)
National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD)
FHWA's Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS)
Condition of bridges
American Community Survey (ACS): The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed social, economic, and housing data. It may include information on the condition and characteristics of bridges in New York State, such as the number of bridges, their age, usage, and proximity to communities.
Census of Governments
This survey provides comprehensive data on state and local governments, including infrastructure-related information. It may include data on bridge ownership, maintenance responsibilities, and funding sources
National Bridge Inventory (NBI)
The NBI is a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that contains information on all bridges in the United States. It includes data on bridge locations, dimensions, structural conditions, and ownership. This dataset can be used to analyze bridge infrastructure in New York State.
National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD)
The NTAD is a collection of nationwide transportation-related data sets. It may include information on New York State bridges, such as their locations, functional classifications, and traffic volumes.
FHWA's Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS)
HPMS collects data on highways and bridges across the United States. It includes information on bridge conditions, weight restrictions, and traffic volumes. These data sets can be useful for analyzing the performance and maintenance needs of bridges in New York State.
√ Non-Profits
Transportation Alternatives
Transportation Alternatives – advocates for safe and sustainable transportation options in New York City, including walking, cycling, and public transit. They have campaigned for improvements to the pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure on the city’s bridges, such as the installation of protected bike lanes and improved sidewalk access.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy – works to maintain and improve the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which includes the waterfront area around the Brooklyn Bridge. They offer educational programs and events that highlight the history and significance of the bridge and its surrounding area.
The Design Trust for Public Space
The Design Trust for Public Space – works to improve public spaces in New York City through collaborative design and planning initiatives. They have undertaken several projects focused on New York City bridges, such as the Under the Elevated project that explored ways to improve the spaces beneath elevated highways and bridges.
Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association
√ Experts
Robert E. Paaswell - CUNY
Robert E. Paaswell – a transportation expert and former director of the University Transportation Research Center at City College of New York. He has written about the challenges of maintaining and improving New York City’s bridges in the face of aging infrastructure and increasing traffic volumes.
Joan Marans Dim
Joan Marans Dim co-authored with artist Antonio Masi in the book “New York’s Golden Age of Bridges,” providing a multidimensional exploration of New York City’s nine major bridges, discussing their artistic and cultural significance as well as their global impact.
Sharon Reier
Sharon Reier authored “The Bridges of New York,” which celebrates the city’s bridges, including the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, highlighting their historical and engineering significance
Jennifer Toth
Jennifer Toth wrote “The Mole People: Life in the Tunnels Beneath New York City,” which investigates the lives of the people living in the subway, railroad, and sewage tunnels under the city. Toth’s work is notable for its firsthand journalism and sociological insight
Kate Ascher
Kate Ascher is the author of a work titled “The Works,” which discusses the architecture and history of New York City’s tunnels and infrastructure.
Margaret Morton
Margaret Morton authored “The Tunnel: The Underground Homeless of New York City,” which examines the lives of New York City’s homeless population that has formed a community in an Amtrak tunnel under the West Side Highway. Morton’s work is likened to that of Jacob Riis, bringing to light the hidden lives of the city’s poor
√ Key Issues
Aging Infrastructure
Traffic Congestion
Funding
Safety
Resilience
Equity
√ Social Media Accounts
NYC_DOT
The New York City Department of Transportation (@NYC_DOT) shares updates on bridge construction projects, traffic alerts, and other news related to the city’s transportation network.
MTA
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (@MTA) shares updates on public transportation in New York City, including subway and bus routes that cross over bridges.