Manhattan Bridge

The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing the East River, linking Lower Manhattan near Canal Street to Downtown Brooklyn along the Flatbush Avenue Extension. Designed by Leon Moisseiff, it opened in 1909 and spans 6,855 feet. It was the first suspension bridge to incorporate a Warren truss, carrying vehicular traffic and subway trains across its decks. For visitors, the Manhattan end features an ornamental arch and colonnade designed by Carrère and Hastings, a designated New York City landmark. The bridge’s light truss design set a precedent for early 20th-century long suspension spans. Strolling the nearby plazas offers a chance to appreciate the engineering and architecture of this historic crossing.