Remember those childhood drawings of impossible bridges? Here, before us, stands the Wards Island Bridge. It is a real-life marvel connecting Manhattan Island and Wards Island. This isn’t just any bridge. The Wards Island Bridge is also known as the 103rd Street Footbridge.
The Wards Island Bridge stretches across the Harlem River. This vertical lift bridge is quite the sight. It has twelve spans made of steel towers and girders. Imagine walking or cycling across it. The Wards Island Bridge is exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles. Cars are not allowed.
On the Manhattan side, the Wards Island Bridge begins at East 103rd Street. It sits neatly between Exits 14 and 15 of the FDR Drive. You can easily access it from the East River Greenway. A pedestrian overpass links the bridge to the East River Houses in East Harlem. The Wards Island Bridge then connects to the southwest corner of Wards Island. From there, explore the playing fields and waterfront of Randall’s Island and Wards Island Parks.
Did you know the Wards Island Bridge is open 24 hours a day, all year round? That wasn’t always the case. Before 2010, it was only open from April to October and only during the daytime.
Let’s step back in time. The first bridge to Wards Island was built in 1807. It was a wooden drawbridge from East 114th Street in Manhattan. Philip Milledolar and Bartholomew Ward built it for their cotton business. Sadly, a storm destroyed it in 1821.
Pedestrian access was later established via the Triborough Bridge in 1936. Robert Moses planned a separate pedestrian bridge in 1937. However, 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.
The Wards Island Bridge finally opened on May 18, 1951. The cost was $2.1 million. Bicycles were allowed from 1967. It once sported a vibrant red, yellow, and blue paint scheme. In 1986, it was repainted in sapphire blue and emerald green.
There was a time when access was restricted at night and during winter. Residents of the East River Houses were concerned about patients from the Manhattan State Psychiatric Center crossing over. They wrongly believed these patients caused increased crime.
In 1999, there was a proposal to make the Wards Island Bridge a fixed bridge. This was delayed because construction equipment needed to access the Harlem River for other bridge projects.
Between 2010 and 2012, the Wards Island Bridge underwent a $15 million reconstruction. The walkway, steel structure, and control systems were all replaced. It reopened in June 2012. The final cost was $16.8 million.
Standing here, take a moment to appreciate the Wards Island Bridge. It’s more than just a crossing. It’s a link between communities. It offers access to green spaces. It’s a testament to engineering and perseverance. The Wards Island Bridge stands ready to welcome you.