Macombs Dam Bridge
Encyclopedia
Macombs Dam Bridge is a swing bridge
that spans the Harlem River
in New York City
, connecting the borough
s of Manhattan
and the Bronx
near Yankee Stadium
. It is the third-oldest bridge in New York City and was designated an official landmark in January 1992. The bridge is operated and maintained by the New York City Department of Transportation
(NYCDOT).
The bridge is located 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from the mouth of the Harlem River. Its total length is 2540 feet (774.2 m). The main swing span is 408 feet (124.4 m) long and provides two shipping channels with 150 feet (45.7 m) of horizontal clearance. When closed the bridge provides 25 feet of vertical clearance. The total cost of construction was $1.3 million and the bridge opened on May 1, 1895. The designer was Alfred Pancoast Boller.
This bridge is the most recent of several bridges in the area, the first of which (along with the since-demolished lock-and-dam
system) opened in 1814.
Immediately to the north of the bridge was another swing bridge along which the now-demolished 9th Avenue El reached the Bronx (and the IRT Jerome Avenue Line
). The bridge was demolished sometime after this section of the 9th Avenue El
ceased operation in 1958.
In 1999, the NYCDOT began a $145 million renovation of the bridge.
For 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation
, which operates and maintains the bridge, reported an average daily traffic volume in both directions of 38,897; having reached a peak AADT of 55,609 in 1957.
route operated by MTA New York City Transit. The average weekday ridership of the Bx6 bus route is 22,780.
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
that spans the Harlem River
Harlem River
The Harlem River is a navigable tidal strait in New York City, USA that flows 8 miles between the Hudson River and the East River, separating the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, connecting the borough
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
s of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
and the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
near Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. It is the third-oldest bridge in New York City and was designated an official landmark in January 1992. The bridge is operated and maintained by the New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
(NYCDOT).
The bridge is located 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from the mouth of the Harlem River. Its total length is 2540 feet (774.2 m). The main swing span is 408 feet (124.4 m) long and provides two shipping channels with 150 feet (45.7 m) of horizontal clearance. When closed the bridge provides 25 feet of vertical clearance. The total cost of construction was $1.3 million and the bridge opened on May 1, 1895. The designer was Alfred Pancoast Boller.
This bridge is the most recent of several bridges in the area, the first of which (along with the since-demolished lock-and-dam
Macombs Dam
Macombs Dam was a dam and bridge across the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City, which existed from c.1814 to c.1858.-History:...
system) opened in 1814.
Immediately to the north of the bridge was another swing bridge along which the now-demolished 9th Avenue El reached the Bronx (and the IRT Jerome Avenue Line
IRT Jerome Avenue Line
The IRT Jerome Avenue Line, also unofficially known as IRT Woodlawn Line, is a New York City Subway Line along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. It was opened on June 2, 1917 as a shuttle service between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street. This was in advance of through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue...
). The bridge was demolished sometime after this section of the 9th Avenue El
IRT Ninth Avenue Line
The IRT Ninth Avenue Line, often called the Ninth Avenue El, was the first elevated railway in New York City. It opened in 1868 as the West Side and Yonkers Patent Railway, a cable-hauled line. It ceased operation in 1940....
ceased operation in 1958.
In 1999, the NYCDOT began a $145 million renovation of the bridge.
For 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
, which operates and maintains the bridge, reported an average daily traffic volume in both directions of 38,897; having reached a peak AADT of 55,609 in 1957.
Public transportation
The Macombs Dam Bridge carries the Bx6 busBus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
route operated by MTA New York City Transit. The average weekday ridership of the Bx6 bus route is 22,780.