“Imagine a ribbon of steel and concrete. This ribbon gracefully arches over the Harlem River.” That’s the 102nd Street Bridge, also known as the Wards Island Bridge. It stands as a vital link between Manhattan and Wards Island. This bridge isn’t for cars. It welcomes pedestrians and cyclists.
Let’s dive into the story of the 102nd Street Bridge. Its history is quite interesting. The first bridge to Wards Island was built in 1807. It was a wooden drawbridge. Philip Milledolar and Bartholomew Ward funded it. They wanted to support their cotton business. This first bridge connected East 114th Street in Manhattan to Wards Island. Sadly a storm destroyed it in 1821. Only the stone piers remained.
Years later in 1936, the Triborough Bridge opened. It provided pedestrian access to Randalls and Wards Islands. But Robert Moses envisioned something more direct. In 1937 he proposed a separate pedestrian bridge for better access to Wards Island Park.
Construction didn’t start until 1949. Othmar Hermann Ammann designed it. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built it. Initially it was called the Harlem River Pedestrian Bridge. Finally on May 18, 1951, the Wards Island Bridge opened. The project cost $2.1 million. Bicycles were allowed on the bridge from 1967.
The 102nd Street Bridge has twelve spans. These consist of steel towers and girders. Its total length is 1,247 feet. The longest span measures 312 feet. The bridge’s width is 12 feet.
Originally the bridge sported red, yellow, and blue colors. But in 1986, it was repainted in sapphire blue and emerald green.
Access to the Wards Island Bridge wasn’t always easy. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was closed overnight and during winter. Residents of the East River Houses worried about patients from the Manhattan State Psychiatric Center crossing the bridge. They believed it increased crime.
In 1999, there was a proposal to make the bridge a fixed structure. This idea was put on hold. The Harlem River needed to be clear for construction equipment for other bridge projects.
A major reconstruction took place between 2010 and 2012. It cost $15 million initially but eventually totaled $16.8 million. The walkway deck, steel superstructure, and control systems were replaced. The Wards Island Bridge reopened in June 2012.
Today the 102nd Street Bridge is open 24 hours a day, all year round. It connects East 103rd Street in Manhattan to Wards Island. You can access it from the East River Greenway. It provides access to Randall’s Island and Wards Island Parks.
So as you cross the Wards Island Bridge think about its history. Think about the cotton business, Robert Moses’ vision, and the community’s concerns. This bridge represents more than just a physical connection. It symbolizes access, recreation, and the evolving needs of a city.