New York City's Bridge Network: 800+ Spans Connecting the Boroughs

A City Stitched by Steel and Cable

New York City manages over 800 bridges—more than any other U.S. city. These structures knit together the five boroughs across rivers, bays, and rail corridors, carrying millions of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and subway trains daily.

Iconic Landmarks

• Brooklyn Bridge (1883) – Hybrid cable-stayed/suspension, National Historic Landmark.
• Manhattan Bridge (1909) – Double-deck suspension, carries 7 subway lines.
• George Washington Bridge (1931) – World's busiest motor vehicle bridge (14 lanes, double deck).
• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (1964) – Longest suspension span in the Americas (4,260 ft).
• Robert F. Kennedy (Triborough) Bridge – Three-branch complex linking Manhattan, Queens, Bronx.

Operational Management

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) owns/operates ~800 non-toll bridges. MTA Bridges & Tunnels operates 7 toll bridges/tunnels. NYS DOT and Port Authority manage others. Regular inspections, maintenance, and capital rehabilitation (e.g., Brooklyn Bridge rehab 2020s) ensure safety.

Beyond the Famous

Hundreds of lesser-known spans—pedestrian footbridges, park drives, viaducts, rail overpasses—form the capillary network enabling urban mobility. The High Bridge (1848), NYC's oldest standing bridge, now serves as a pedestrian/cycle link between Manhattan and the Bronx.