The Manhattan Bridge is an impressive feat of engineering over the East River. With its slightly more than two kilometers in length, it connects Chinatown in Lower Manhattan with Downtown Brooklyn. It’s undoubtedly one of New York’s most iconic landmarks, loved by both locals and visitors as a symbol of the city. Be one of the thousands of people who cross it every day!
Manhattan Bridge, a New York City icon
Did you know that the island of Manhattan is connected to the world by 21 bridges and 15 tunnels? One of these is the famous suspension bridge known as the Manhattan Bridge, an outstanding engineering work that stretches between Chinatown and the Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn.
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Inaugurated in 1909, its construction was a true innovation as it was based on the theory of deflection, which suggested that the inherent structure of suspension bridges made them stronger than previously thought. Thus, this bridge does not have the typical triangular components seen in other suspension bridges. Also:
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It’s a single-span suspension bridge—one of the longest suspension spans in the United States.
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At the time it was built, it had the highest load capacity in the country.
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It was designed as a two-level bridge: the upper level for streetcars and the lower for subway trains, with roadways running through the center of each level.
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The allegorical statues of Manhattan and Brooklyn that once adorned it were moved to the Brooklyn Museum.
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In 2009, on the bridge’s centennial, it was declared a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
If you’re in New York, you’ll easily recognize the Manhattan Bridge by its steel towers and industrial design, along with the suspension cables hanging from the towers and holding up the bridge deck—its most striking feature.
Traffic on the Manhattan Bridge
Eager to cross the Manhattan Bridge? Then these facts will interest you. The Manhattan Bridge features:
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Seven lanes for vehicle traffic: four on the upper level and three in the central lower part.
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Four subway lines: B, D, N, and Q run along the lower sides.
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A pedestrian walkway.
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A separate bike lane.
Each day, more than 70,000 vehicles, 3,000 pedestrians, and 6,000 cyclists cross the Manhattan Bridge. What does that mean? You can cross it on foot, by bike, by subway, or in your own car. And it’s free! This is because the bridge is managed by the DOT, unlike others like the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, managed by the MTA, which charges tolls.
We recommend checking traffic reports: since 1992, the Manhattan Bridge has undergone ongoing structural and component rehabilitation work, which can lead to lane or partial sidewalk/bike path closures.
The route begins in Chinatown, at the northwest corner of City Hall Park, or the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway stop, and ends in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This name, which reminds us of the cute Disney elephant, actually stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It used to be an industrial area with factories and warehouses, but in recent years it’s become a residential and commercial area with art studios, housing, and tech company offices.
How to cross the Manhattan Bridge
As mentioned earlier, the Manhattan Bridge has a structure that allows you to cross it on foot, by bike, by public transportation, or by car. Let’s break down each option:
Crossing the Manhattan Bridge on foot
Walking across the bridge can take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your pace and any stops you make to enjoy the views and take photos. In fact, one of the best photo ops from here is the Brooklyn Bridge, not to mention the impressive views of the Manhattan skyline.
By bicycle
Renting a bike in New York is easy and a great idea for crossing the Manhattan Bridge. The city has the CitiBike system, with stations throughout. This is the public bike-sharing system, available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Each station has a touchscreen, a system map, and docks for storing bikes. There are both traditional and electric bikes. If you’re planning to cross the Manhattan Bridge, you’ll find CitiBike stations on both sides.
Public transportation
Crossing the Manhattan Bridge by public transportation is simple: four subway lines—B, D, N, and Q—run across it. Stations are:
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B and D lines: Grand Street in Manhattan and DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn.
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N and Q lines: Canal Street in Manhattan and DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn.
Trips take between five and ten minutes with no intermediate stops, meaning it’s a direct crossing over the bridge.
By car
From Manhattan, access is via Canal Street and Bowery. Once on the bridge, there are multiple lanes to drive on. Upon reaching Brooklyn, you can exit onto Avenue Extension, Tillary Street, or Adams Street. From Brooklyn, you can enter the bridge from the Dumbo area via Flatbush Avenue Extension and Sands Street.
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During rush hour, traffic can be heavy, so we recommend strictly following all traffic signs and any current restrictions.
Our recommendation is to cross the Manhattan Bridge on foot or by bike. It’s the best way to enjoy this unique experience and truly feel like a New Yorker.
Regardless of how you choose to cross, there’s one thing you must do: stop at the scenic lookout in Dumbo at the end of the Manhattan Bridge. It’s located at 39-21 Washington St, Brooklyn, and from here you’ll get the best views and photos of the bridge.
Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge was built to relieve traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, and the Williamsburg Bridge, opened in 1903. Thus, the Manhattan Bridge became the newest of the three suspension bridges over the East River. But they’re not the only ones: other East River bridges include:
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Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, from the 1930s, beautifully lit at night. It’s actually three bridges connecting Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx.
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Queensboro Bridge, connecting Manhattan and Queens. It’s officially named after Ed Koch, former mayor of NYC. Sound familiar? That’s because this bridge appears in Woody Allen’s famous movie Manhattan.
In fact, all three suspension bridges help define New York City’s iconic skyline, and they are quite close to each other. For example, the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges are just over two kilometers apart, the same distance that separates the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges.
Of the three, the Brooklyn Bridge is the most touristy, with its ornate design, stone towers, and Gothic arches. However, each one has its own charm and story to tell.
And that wraps up our guide to “What is the Manhattan Bridge and how to cross it?” We hope you found it helpful. Remember that at SEOSab, you’ll find everything you need to enjoy your trip to New York. Follow us on social media to keep up with our latest updates from the city!
