Rikers Island Bridge

Opened in 1966, the Rikers Island Bridge stretches 4,200 feet, a concrete and steel artery connecting Rikers Island to Queens. Before this bridge, access to the island was solely by ferry, a costly endeavor for New York City. The bridge, officially the Francis R. Buono Memorial Bridge, was designed as a solution, a way to improve access for emergency services and cut down commute times for employees. It’s a low-level, fixed girder bridge, with a 52-foot clearance at its center to accommodate passing vessels. The Q100 MTA bus route uses this bridge, providing transport to the Rikers Island Visitor Center. The bridge spans not just the Rikers Island Channel but also Bowery Bay, offering a unique vantage point near LaGuardia Airport, even crossing over the approach lights for Runway 13. Construction, started in 1964, involved driving 260 concrete piles, some reaching depths of 124 feet, to support the structure. This $10 million investment proved invaluable, saving the city a staggering $410 million in construction costs on the island within the first five years. It also provided $5,000 in annual operating cost savings compared to the ferry. In 1978, the bridge gained a second name, honoring the late Supervising Warden Francis R. Buono, who oversaw its construction. The bridge, however, has also been a point of contention. In 1990, it became a blockade during a labor dispute with then-Mayor David Dinkins, highlighting its strategic importance. The Rikers Island Bridge stands as more than just a connection to an island; it’s a physical representation of changing times, evolving needs, and the complex history of Rikers Island itself.