Macombs Dam Bridge
| Macombs Dam Bridge | |
|---|---|
View from the south showing the swing span over the Harlem River (left), and the camelback span over railroad tracks (right) in 2014;
Manhattan is to the left, the Bronx to the right, with Yankee Stadium in the background |
|
| Coordinates | 40°49′41″N 73°56′02″W / 40.82806°N 73.93389°WCoordinates: 40°49′41″N 73°56′02″W / 40.82806°N 73.93389°W |
| Carries | four lanes of roadway, one lane on each side for pedestrians |
| Crosses | Harlem River |
| Locale | Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City |
| Maintained by | New York City Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | swing bridge and camelback bridge |
| Total length | 2,540 feet (770 m) |
| Longest span | 408 feet (124 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | May 1, 1895 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 39,020 (2012) |
The Macombs Dam Bridge (mə-KOOMZ) spans the Harlem River in New York City, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx near Yankee Stadium. It is the third-oldest bridge in New York City and, along with the 155th Street Viaduct, was designated a New York City 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. It consists of a swing bridge over the Harlem River decorated with four finials and with stone end piers with shelter houses, and a camelback span over the railroad tracks on the Bronx side. The main swing span is 408 feet (124 m) long and provides two shipping channels with 150 feet (46 m) of horizontal clearance. When closed the bridge provides 25 feet (7.6 m) of vertical clearance. The bridge's total length is 2,540 feet (770 m).
The current 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. The wooden Central Bridge followed in 1861, to be replaced by the current bridge, which was also called the Central Bridge; a plaque bearing this name still be seen on the swing span. However the name never stuck, and the old name Macombs Dam Bridge remained in popular use.
Construction began in 1890 and was completed in 1895 at a total cost of $1.3 million. The bridge, which was designed by consulting engineer Alfred Pancoast Boller, opened on May 1, 1895. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) began a $145 million renovation of this bridge in 1999.
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