Bridges of New York City

2 July, 2025

Bridges of New York City

New York City is the City of Bridges. About 50 bridges connect Boroughs and neigborhoods. Some of them are free to cross and some you have to pay a hefty fee to use. City bridges are operated by NYC DOT, MTA Metropolitan Transit Authority and Port Authority of NY & NJ. All NYC DOT operated bridges are toll free.

While its possible to take a tour of every bridge of New York City but most likely it will take you all day. But if you are going to tour New York City there's a few key bridges that you must visit.

History of New York City Bridges is so diversified. Goes from Oldest, to Most Famous, to the longest. We haven't seen lately any new bridges just old ones getting complete makeover.

1️⃣ Verrazzano Narrows Bridge

Verrazzano Narrows Bridge once used to be a longest suspension bridge in the World and still holds this title in America. Finished in 1964 this bridge connected Staten Island to the rest of New York City. This bridge is one of the most expensive toll crossings in NYC operated by Port Authority. Its a double deck bridge with 3 lanes in each direction on a lower level and 3 lanes on a top level with an additional bus and high occupancy lane that is adjusted as traffic demands. Crossing this bridge gives you an incredible views of New York Harbor, Brooklyn, Manhattan downtown skyline and Staten Island. This bridge serves as a starting point in annual New York City Marathon where millions of runners from all over the World tun accross. This is one of the Bridges you must cross if you doing tour of New York City.

2️⃣ Brooklyn Bridge

New York City's most famous Bridge. This bridge is a heart of New York City. Most NYC photos, pictures, drawings and even local companies logos featuring this bridge. Walking across the bridge is a bucketlist item for many people. Once you start walking you will hit a foot traffic similar to Times Square. This iconic bridge featured in many movies and shows. Brooklyn Bridge open to the public since 1883 and free to cross by car, foot or bicycle. This Bridge sees about 100k cars, 30k pedestrians and 3k bicycles on a daily basis as it connects downtown Brooklyn with downtown Manhattan. The Brooklyn Bridge has been designated a National Historic Landmark, a New York City landmark, and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

3️⃣ Manhattan Bridge

Manhattan Bridge is the bridge that lately getting a lot of attention with a viral pictures taken in Dumbo Brooklyn with a bridge background. Manhattan Bridge is the located right after Brooklyn Bridge and unlike our iconic bridge Manhattan Bridge is a workhorse of all the bridges. 7 Lanes of vehicular traffic, 4 Subway lines uses this bridge as crossing, pedestrian walkway and a separate bike lane. Manhattan Bridge was completed in 1909 and featured in numerous movies like Spiderman, Home Alone 2 and Godfather. Bridge on Manhattan's side features an iconic Arch that was designed to reflect Paris and Vatican City Architecture. Since this bridge is one of the three bridges of downtown we suggest crossing it at least once on the upper level.

Viral pic of Manhattan Bridge from Dumbo Brooklyn

4️⃣ Williamsburg Bridge

Third bridge in lower Manhattan is Williamsburg Bridge or like locals call it Willy B. This Bridge is used more by local residents than other 2 downtown bridges. Toll free Bridge with direct access to Brooklyn Queens Expressway just an exit from Queens makes this bridge a favorite bridge for taxis. Williamsburg Bridge Offers scenic views of the Manhattan skyline, the East River, and the Brooklyn waterfront and other iconic bridges. Bridge carries vehicles, subway, pedestrians and cyclists but known for being less crowded. This bridge just like the other bridges appeared in a numerous movies, tv shows and posters. Williamsburg Bridge was opened in 1903 and was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2009. One of the must cross bridges if you touring New York City.

Williamsburg Bridge view from Brooklyn to Manhattan

Williamsburg Bridge view from Manhattan to Brooklyn

5️⃣ Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge

Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge for us New Yorkers will always be 59th Street bridge or Queensboro Bridge. This is the main bridge between Queens and Manhattan and only free bridge into a city from Queens so it became favorite bridge of locals and cab drivers. Bridge provides excellent views of East side Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, and Long Island City. It featured in numerous movies, music videos and tv shows and this is a must bridge to cross while you stay in New York City even on a way to the airport since its a major route there after a midtown tunnel.

6️⃣ Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge also was recently renamed but for New Yorkers it will always be Triborough Bridge. Connecting Queens, Bronx and Manhattan this bridge plays a major role in truck route going upstate and a major route for NYC airports. This bridge provides direct connection to interstates and parkways. Only few minutes from La Guardia Airport this bridge is the best way to get there.Triborough bridge is a complex of bridges and elevated highways spanning over Randals Island. Using this bridge is the only way to get there. This bridge is operated by Metropolitan Transit Authority MTA so its not free. Offcourse we will recommend visiting this bridge to get stunning views of upper Manhattan, Bronx and Astoria. Great view of Hells Gate Bridge an abandoned railroad tracks.

7️⃣ Willis Avenue Bridge

The Willis Avenue Bridge is a swing bridge that carries road traffic northbound over the Harlem River between the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, United States. It connects First Avenue in Manhattan with Willis Avenue in the Bronx. This Bridge is free bridge so it is one of the more favorite bridges of local residents.

8️⃣ Third Avenue Bridge

The Third Avenue Bridge is a swing bridge spanning the Harlem River, connecting the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City. It was first opened in 1898 and carries southbound traffic on Third Avenue. It was previously bidirectional, but was changed to one-way southbound on August 5, 1941, the same day the Willis Avenue Bridge became one-way northbound.

9️⃣ Madison Avenue Bridge

The Madison Avenue Bridge is a four-lane swing bridge crossing the Harlem River in New York City. It connects East 138th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan to East 138th Street and Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The Bridge is one of the toll free crossings into Manhattan.

Madison Avenue Bridge old and new plaque

🔟 145th Street Bridge

The 145th Street Bridge is a significant bridge in New York City, connecting Manhattan with the Bronx across the Harlem River. The Bridge is toll free and loved by local residents

11. Macombs Dam Bridge

The Macombs Dam Bridge is a significant bridge in New York City, connecting Manhattan and the Bronx across the Harlem River. Here's a summary of its key features and history. The Macombs Dam Bridge is the third oldest major bridge still in operation in New York City. The current bridge is the third structure at this site. The first was a dam with a bridge built in 1814, which was replaced by a wooden swing bridge in 1861 due to river traffic obstruction. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1992.

12. The High Bridge

The High Bridge in New York City is a significant historical and recreational landmark. It is the oldest surviving bridge in New York City, originally opened in 1848. The High Bridge spans the Harlem River, linking the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan with the Highbridge neighborhood in the Bronx.Walkway with Views: The bridge provides a walking and biking path with scenic views of the Harlem River and the city. Highbridge Park Access: The bridge is accessible from Highbridge Park on both the Manhattan and Bronx sides.
Hours of Operation: The High Bridge and its access routes are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Directions: Manhattan side: Enter Highbridge Park at West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, then follow the staircase down to the bridge level.
Bronx side: Enter at University Avenue and 170th Street in Highbridge.
The walkway features embedded historical markers providing information about the bridge's history.
High Bridge is only available for pedestrians and cyclists. No vehicular traffic.

13. Alexander Hamilton Bridge

The Alexander Hamilton Bridge is a steel arch bridge in New York City that crosses the Harlem River, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx. The Bridge serves as a connection of the Trans-Manhattan and Cross-Bronx Expressways and to accommodate increased traffic from the George Washington Bridge's lower level expansion. Vehicular Traffic only. No bicycles or pedestrians.

14. University Heights Bridge

The University Heights Bridge is a steel-truss swing bridge in New York City that crosses the Harlem River. It connects West 207th Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan with West Fordham Road in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx.

15. Broadway Bridge

The Broadway Bridge in NYC, which crosses the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx. The bridge is a lift bridge. The drawbridge does not open for vessel traffic on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., except on federal holidays.

16. Henry Hudson Bridge

The Henry Hudson Bridge is a prominent steel arch toll bridge in New York City, connecting the Bronx to Manhattan. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic on the Henry Hudson Parkway (NY 9A), with three lanes on the upper level for northbound travel and three on the lower level for southbound. Commercial vehicles are prohibited.

17. Spuyten Duyvil Train Bridge

The Spuyten Duyvil Bridge is a railroad swing bridge located in New York City, connecting Manhattan and the Bronx across the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The bridge is situated at the northern tip of Manhattan, where the Spuyten Duyvil Creek meets the Hudson River, approximately 1,000 feet west of the Henry Hudson Bridge.

18. George Washington Bridge

The George Washington Bridge also known as GWB is a double-decked suspension bridge that spans the Hudson River, connecting Fort Lee, New Jersey, with the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City. It is a vital link in the New York metropolitan area's transportation network. This Bridge is used mostly by trucks and local Northern Jersey Residents. Theres a hefty toll you pay to enter Manhattan and its toll free on a way to New Jersey. Bridge provides scenic views of Manhattan and Hudson Rivers and featured in a numerous movies and tv shows. This Bridge is famous enough to make it to must cross bridges list while touring New York City.

19. Bayonne Bridge

The Bayonne Bridge is a steel through arch bridge that spans the Kill Van Kull, connecting Staten Island, New York with Bayonne, New Jersey. It carries New York State Route 440 and New Jersey Route 440. Its a very quiet bridge if compared to other NYC Bridges. You pay a toll just like every other New Jersey to New York Bridges when you enter NYC. This Bridge provides easy access to Bayonne Cruise Port, Jersey City and Holland Tunnel. Bridge provides 2 lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction and pedestrian / bicycle lane. Recently City of New York raised this bridge to accomodate access for bigger ships.

20. Goethals Bridge

The Goethals Bridge is a vital transportation link connecting Elizabeth, New Jersey, with Staten Island, New York. It spans the Arthur Kill, a strait separating the two states. The bridge is part of the I-278 corridor, serving commuters and freight carriers moving between New Jersey and New York. Its a toll bridge and paid upon entry to New York. Bridge was completely replaced in 2017.

21. Outerbridge Crossing

The Outerbridge Crossing is a cantilever bridge connecting Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York, spanning the Arthur Kill. The bridge's name is coincidental as it's also the southernmost crossing in New York state. It opened on the same day as the original Goethals Bridge. The Outerbridge was the first Port Authority facility to implement E-ZPass. Discussions about replacing or widening the bridge have occurred.

22. Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge

The Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, also known as the Marine Parkway Bridge, is a vertical-lift bridge in New York City connecting the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens with Brooklyn. It spans the Rockaway Inlet, linking to areas like Flatbush Avenue, Floyd Bennett Field, and Marine Park.

23. Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge connects the Broad Channel community and the Rockaway Peninsula, crossing Jamaica Bay. Connecting New Yorkers to the Far Rockaway Beach, Boardwalk and numerous seaside restaurants.

24. South Channel Subway Bridge

It's a railroad bridge that carries the New York City Subway's IND Rockaway Line over Jamaica Bay, connecting the Rockaway Peninsula to Subway Island, southeast of Broad Channel, Queens. It's one of two swing bridges along the Rockaway Line, with the other being the North Channel Bridge. The bridge is part of the route for the A train and S Shuttle, which serve the Rockaways. It also opens and closes to allow barges carrying fuel to pass through to JFK Airport.

25. Throgs Neck Bridge

The Throgs Neck Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City, carrying six lanes of Interstate 295 over the East River where it meets the Long Island Sound. The bridge connects the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx with the Bay Terrace section of Queens.

26. Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, often referred to as the Whitestone Bridge, is a vital transportation link in New York City, connecting the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens over the East River. It carries six lanes of Interstate 678.

27. City Island Bridge

The City Island Bridge, officially known as the City Island Causeway, is a bridge located in the Bronx, New York City, connecting City Island to the mainland.

28. Pelham Bridge

The Pelham Bridge, also known as the Shore Road Bridge, is a bascule bridge in the Bronx, New York City. It carries Shore Road, pedestrians, and bicycles over the Hutchinson River. It is operated and maintained by the New York City Department of Transportation. It is a very busy drawbridge

29. Kosciuszko Bridge

The Kosciuszko Bridge is a modern cable-stayed bridge that replaced an older structure to improve traffic flow and provide better access for pedestrians and cyclists between Brooklyn and Queens. This is probably the busiest bridge in New York City.

30. Pulaski Bridge

The Pulaski Bridge connects Long Island City in Queens to Greenpoint in Brooklyn, New York City. It spans over Newtown Creek, carrying six lanes of traffic, including a dedicated two-way bikeway and a pedestrian sidewalk.

31. Roosevelt Island Bridge

The Roosevelt Island Bridge is a vertical lift bridge in New York City connecting Roosevelt Island to the borough of Queens. It is the only direct vehicular access point to Roosevelt Island.