Imagine falcons soaring high above. They nest atop the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. This bridge connects Brooklyn and Queens. It offers more than just a route. It provides a link to nature.
The Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge. It crosses Rockaway Inlet. The bridge opened on July 3, 1937. It connects the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens with Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. This bridge is also known as the Marine Parkway Bridge.
Its center span is 540 feet long. Normally, it stands 55 feet above the water. But it can lift to 150 feet. This allows ships to pass. The twin towers house the lift machinery. They have become a Rockaways landmark.
The City of New York owns the Marine Parkway Bridge. The MTA operates it. This includes maintaining the Marine Parkway to Jacob Riis Park. Both Floyd Bennett Field and Jacob Riis Park are part of the National Park System’s Gateway National Recreation Area.
In February 1934, a bill proposed building the bridge. Robert Moses wanted it to link Marine Park and Jacob Riis Park. The Marine Parkway Authority was created in March. Moses was its only member.
The bridge was funded by the Public Works Administration. The War Department approved the project in December 1935. They issued $6 million in bonds to fund construction. Tolls would also help cover costs.
David B. Steinman was the principal designer. The American Bridge Company constructed it. The main span was floated into place in January 1937. The bridge opened on July 3, 1937. A fire near Rockaways’ Playland amusement park caused an early opening.
The Marine Parkway Bridge saw 1.7 million vehicles in 1938. By 1940, it had recorded 4 million crossings. In 1978, the bridge was renamed for Gil Hodges. He was a Brooklyn Dodgers player and NY Mets manager.
From 1999 to 2001, the bridge was renovated. Lanes were widened. A Jersey barrier was installed. Elevators and electrical systems were replaced.
The Marine Parkway Bridge has four traffic lanes. It also features bicycle paths and a footpath. The center span weighs 3,600 tons. It can be raised to 140 feet. The bridge was raised 157 times in 2006. The curled tops of the towers add a whimsical touch.
As of August 6, 2023, tolls vary. E-ZPass users pay less. Open-road cashless tolling began in 2017. Cameras now record license plates.
The Marine Parkway Bridge offers access to beaches and parklands. Traffic increases by 50 percent in the summer. The bridge is a vital link. It connects city dwellers to the Atlantic beaches. It is more than steel and concrete. The Marine Parkway Bridge is a gateway to recreation and relaxation. It’s a symbol of connection.