A modest design compared to others, the 145th Street Bridge stands before us. It connects Manhattan and the Bronx. I will tell you its story. This four-lane swing bridge crosses the Harlem River. It links West 145th Street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan to East 149th Street and River Avenue in the Bronx.
The 145th Street Bridge’s story starts with a need. In 1895, New York State decided a new bridge was needed. It would link growing Harlem with the South Bronx’s new industries. Business leaders Fordham Morris and John de la Vergne pushed for it. They wanted to fill a one-mile gap between river crossings.
Alfred P. Boller designed the 145th Street Bridge. He also designed the Madison Avenue and Macombs Dam bridges. William H. Burr was the consulting engineer. The initial construction contract went to O’Brien, Sheehan and McBean.
The original design took inspiration from the Macombs Dam Bridge. Designers made some key changes. The draw span was shortened. The bridge width increased to allow for a wider road. Steel and reinforced concrete replaced masonry. The bridge was designed to be less ornate. Electric power replaced steam power for the machinery.
Construction started on April 19, 1901. Building the IRT subway tunnel delayed the project. It ran under the southern pier. The 145th Street Bridge finally opened on August 24, 1905. The cost was $2.75 million.
Sharon Reier described the 145th Street span. She said it tried to recapture the grace of the Macombs Dam Bridge. But it was an uninspired copy. Still, she called it a pleasant enough bridge with its green-tiled gazebos.
The 145th Street Bridge carries traffic in both directions. In Manhattan, it connects to 145th Street and Lenox Avenue. In the Bronx, it meets 149th Street and River Avenue. Until 1972, it also carried the NY 22 designation.
The Manhattan approach was rebuilt in 1957. It now carries traffic over the Harlem River Drive. The Bronx approach was rebuilt in 1990. This connected it to the Bronx street grid and the Major Deegan Expressway.
In July 2004, New York City started rebuilding the 145th Street Bridge. The project cost $85 million. It included replacing the swing span and approach spans. The substructures were reconstructed. Seismic retrofitting was added.
The bridge was fully closed in November 2006. Workers removed the old swing span. The new swing span was put in place in February 2007. One lane in each direction reopened in March 2007. All lanes were open by September.
The new 145th Street Bridge has four standard-width lanes. Two go each way. There is no center median. The New York City Department of Transportation maintains the 145th Street Bridge. About 30,000 vehicles cross it each day.
The 145th Street Bridge stands as a vital link. It connects communities and carries thousands daily. Its history reflects New York City’s growth and change. It faced challenges and underwent renewal. Today, the 145th Street Bridge continues to serve. It carries on its legacy as a crucial part of the city’s infrastructure.