description Queensboro Bridge Overview
The Queensboro Bridge is a cantilever bridge over New York City's East River, connecting Manhattan with Long Island City in Queens. Opened in 1909 and also known as the 59th Street Bridge, it has two structural levels and carries road traffic as well as a path used by pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge passes over Roosevelt Island without providing direct road access to it and remains a major connection between two of the city's boroughs.
help Queensboro Bridge FAQ
Where is the Queensboro Bridge, and what is its other name?
The Queensboro Bridge crosses the East River between Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens. It is also called the 59th Street Bridge and is officially known as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. [NYC Department of Transportation](https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/queensboro-bridge.shtml)
When did the Queensboro Bridge open, and what type of bridge is it?
The bridge opened to traffic on June 18, 1909. It is a five-span cantilever truss bridge rather than a suspension bridge. [NYC Department of Transportation](https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/queensboro-bridge.shtml)
Can you walk or cycle across the Queensboro Bridge?
Yes, the lower level has outer routes assigned to pedestrians and cyclists. NYC DOT describes the south outer roadway as a pedestrian walkway and the north outer roadway as a bicycle path. [NYC Department of Transportation](https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/queensboro-bridge.shtml)
Why is the Queensboro Bridge a cantilever bridge instead of a suspension bridge?
Its steel truss structure projects outward from piers and balances the loads through cantilevered sections, including support around Roosevelt Island. It was designed for heavy road and transit traffic, and it is the only one of New York's four great East River bridges that is not a suspension bridge. [NYC Department of Transportation](https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/queensboro-bridge.shtml)
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