Third Street Bridge

Gazing upon the Third Avenue Bridge, one can’t help but wonder about the countless journeys it has witnessed. The Third Avenue Bridge, a swing bridge, connects Manhattan and the Bronx over the Harlem River. This vital artery carries the constant flow of southbound traffic on Third Avenue. It funnels vehicles into East 128th Street, the intersection of East 129th Street and Lexington Avenue, or onto the FDR Drive. Originally, the bridge accommodated two-way traffic. However, in 1941 it transitioned to one-way southbound operation. This change coincided with the Willis Avenue Bridge becoming one-way northbound. The current Third Avenue Bridge isn’t the original structure. In 1955, the city removed and sold the multi-truss bridge built in 1898. A rebuilt bridge opened in December 1956. More recently, a major reconstruction project took place from 2001-2005. A new swing span was installed in October 2004. The project also included redesigned approach ramps on both the Bronx and Manhattan sides. This revamped Third Avenue Bridge now boasts five lanes for Manhattan-bound traffic. They split into three ramps in Manhattan. In the summer of 2024, the bridge experienced a temporary setback. During an intense heatwave, the metal expanded, causing the bridge to become stuck open. Luckily, the New York City Fire Department cooled the bridge down with water, allowing it to function again. Today, the Third Avenue Bridge not only serves vehicles but also public transportation. The M125 bus route traverses the bridge, connecting communities and facilitating daily commutes.