Hell Gate Bridge

One of my favorite bridges in the New York Metropolitan area. Apparently the pillars were inspired from the Champs-elysees in Paris. The water below is one of the most turbulent water making the bridge very important historically.

The bridge was conceived in the early 1900s to link New York and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) with New England and the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad (NH).[6] As part of the plan, the Hell Gate Bridge would carry four tracks, which would connect to the NH's four-track lines on either side of the Hell Gate.[7]

Construction was overseen by Gustav Lindenthal, whose original design left a gap of 15 feet (4.6 m) between the steel arch and the masonry towers. Fearing that the public assumed that the towers were structurally integral to the bridge, Lindenthal added aesthetic girders between the upper chord of the arch and the towers to make the structure appear more robust.[8] The original plans for the piers on the long approach ramps called for a steel lattice structure. The design was changed to smooth concrete to soothe concerns that asylum inmates on Wards and Randall's islands would climb the piers to escape.[8]

The engineering was so precise that when the last section of the main span was lifted into place, the final adjustment needed to join everything together was just 5⁄16 inch (7.9 mm). Construction of the Hell Gate Bridge began on March 1, 1912 and ended on September 30, 1916.[9] The bridge was dedicated and opened to rail traffic on March 9, 1917,[1] with Washington–Boston through trains first running on April 1.[10] It was the world's longest steel arch bridge until the Bayonne Bridge opened in 1931.[11]

During World War II, its economic value made it a target of the Nazi sabotage plan known as Operation Pastorius.

Cool bridge for trains, creating atmosphere near Astoria Park and along East River. The community does a pretty good job respecting and keeping this place nice for all to bike, run, walk or just enjoy some free space in our beloved Big Apple!

Enjoy it and pick up a piece of trash if ya see it ~ truly liberating and honorable.

Citi bikes stations all around this area but some of the bikes are not well attended fyi. A grocery store and nice coffee shop is nearby. There were numerous ice cream trucks around the area also in the evening.

The bridge is amazing! The bicycle path underneath is so intriguing. Must see!

Amazing bridge. Ir you like bridges, this should be on your list. It is the older sister to the Sydney Harbor bridge you see during the fireworks. Best views are from Randall's Island.

Hell Gate Bridge made it possible for my train to go from Queens to Randall's Island. Could not be happier with the manner in which it got us there plus it's a looker. I know this is better appreciated from the ground because I have ridden my bike under it as well. The one thing that could use some improvement is that it's not clear at all which end is the actual gate into hell. Whether this is the Queens side or the Randall's side, I can't figure out. A clarifying sign would be appreciated, and I hope management will take this under consideration. I did not have this problem on the Spuyten Duyvil, another bridge with Satanic overtones and clearly the better run of the two.

Amazing steel arch bridge. There is a fantastic bike lane under the approach spans on Randals Island.

A masterpiece of architecture! Great place to explore and experience. Astoria park is a beautiful place.

Great place for a photo. Lest touristy then other NYC bridges. Best place to see the bridge is at the Randall's Island side