Think of Gotham’s veins. They carry life between its boroughs. The Madison Avenue Bridge is one of those vital arteries. It connects Manhattan and the Bronx via East 138th Street. This four-lane swing bridge has a story to tell.
The Madison Avenue Bridge stands about 750 meters north of the Third Avenue Bridge. It also stands 650 m south of the 145th Street Bridge. In 1874, residents wanted a bridge at 138th Street. They wanted to link Westchester which governed the Bronx then to Madison Avenue.
Imagine the landscape back then. The uneven ground made building challenging. Substantial pier construction was needed. The Keystone Bridge Company got the contract for the iron superstructure in 1882. The first Madison Avenue Bridge opened in 1884. It cost $509,106.
That original swing bridge had a 300-foot draw span. Vessels had 122.5 feet of horizontal clearance on each side of the main pier. The roadway was 22 feet wide. It was paved with granite blocks. Sidewalks comprised of granite slabs.
Trolley service began in 1885. Horses initially pulled the trolleys. In 1892, electric service arrived. By 1900, a bigger bridge was needed. The city’s growing traffic demanded it.
Alfred P. Boller designed both bridges. He also designed the 145th Street, Macombs Dam and University Heights swing bridges. Construction on the current Madison Avenue Bridge began in 1907. A temporary bridge carried traffic. The old bridge was then torn down.
The new Madison Avenue Bridge opened on July 18, 1910. It cost $1155987. This new bridge doubled capacity. It featured two 27-foot roadways and two 9-foot sidewalks. Trolley service ended because the Metropolitan Street Railway Company refused to pay the fee to cross the new bridge.
The Madison Avenue Bridge’s approaches used reinforced concrete. This was instead of earth between granite walls. This design provided space for machinery below. It also prevented uneven pavement.
Look closely. You can see Boller’s love for ornamental ironwork. Originally, the square tower had four spires. One sat atop each vertical girder. These spires were later removed.
Today, the Madison Avenue Bridge is maintained by the NYCDOT. It carries roughly 45000 vehicles daily. The bridge directly connects to the Major Deegan Expressway on the Bronx side.
In 1994, a $54 million reconstruction project began. In 2010, another project addressed seismic needs. The Madison Avenue Bridge has evolved. It connects our past to the present.
The Madison Avenue Bridge stands as a testament to New York City’s constant evolution. It is more than just steel and concrete. It is a vital link. It is also a reflection of the city’s relentless progress.