Editing Manhattan Bridge (section)

== Development<span class="anchor" id="History"></span> ==
The bridge was the last of the three suspension spans built across the lower East River, following the [[Brooklyn Bridge|Brooklyn]] and [[Williamsburg Bridge|Williamsburg]] bridges.<ref name="The New York Times 1902">{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1902 |title=Aldermen's Lively War – New East River Bridges Named by the Board – Commissioner Woodbury Attacked and His Resolution for a Brooklyn Deputy Lost – The Chairman Denounced |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/03/19/101265970.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After the [[City of Greater New York]] was formed in 1898, the administration of mayor [[Robert Anderson Van Wyck]] formed a plan for what became the Manhattan Bridge; these plans were repeatedly revised and were not finalized until after [[George B. McClellan Jr.]] became mayor in 1901.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06">{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Ready by January; Builders Rushing Work on Fourth River Span Between Manhattan and Long Island |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/06/06/archives/manhattan-bridge-ready-by-january-builders-rushing-work-on-fourth.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> From the outset, the bridge was planned to have a central roadway, streetcar tracks, elevated tracks, and sidewalks, and it was to run straight onto an extension of [[Flatbush Avenue]] in Brooklyn.<ref name="p571667503">{{cite news |date=November 29, 1905 |title=New Bridge Terminals: Buildings on Manhattan Side Will Cost More Than $1,000,000 Proposed Terminals of the New Manhattan Bridge |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571667503}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=December 1, 1905 |title=Terminals of the Manhattan Bridge |magazine=Railroad Gazette |page=510 |volume=39 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|571667503}}}}</ref>

In the earliest plans it was to have been called "Bridge No. 3", but was given the name Manhattan Bridge in 1902.<ref name="The New York Times 1902" /> When the name was confirmed in 1904, ''The New York Times'' criticized it as "meaningless", lobbied for one after Brooklyn's [[Wallabout Bay]], and railed that the span "would have geographical and historical significance if it were known as the Wallabout Bridge".<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/19/101167160.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1905, the ''Times'' renewed its campaign, stating, "All bridges across the East River are Manhattan bridges. When there was only one, it was well enough to call it the Brooklyn Bridge, or the East River Bridge".<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1905 |title=Manhattan Bridge |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/12/09/101373125.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Planning and caissons ===
The earliest plans for what became the Manhattan Bridge were designed by R. S. Buck.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}}<ref name="ABM 1904">{{cite magazine |date=Sep 1904 |title=The New Manhattan Bridge; A Bridge Beautiful As Well As Useful |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924015151412&view=1up&seq=559 |journal=Architects' and Builder's Magazine |volume=36 |pages=547–554 |number=12}}</ref>{{Rp|548}} These plans called for a suspension bridge with carbon steel wire cables and a suspended stiffening truss, supported by a pair of towers with eight braced legs. This design would have consisted of a main span of {{Convert|1470|ft}} and approaches of {{Convert|725|ft}} each.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=548}} In early 1901, the city government approved a motion to acquire land for a suspension tower in Brooklyn;<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1901 |title=Mayor Chafes at Delay on Bridge |pages=2 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-chafes-at-delay/137019020/ |access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> the city shortly began soliciting bids for the tower's foundations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1901 |title=Bids On Bridge No. 3. – All the Propositions for Building Tower Foundations Will Be Rejected |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/03/26/117958826.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The contract for the Brooklyn suspension tower was awarded in May 1901.<ref name="n138417512">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1901 |title=Bridge Contract Awarded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bridge-contract-award/138417512/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref>

The [[Caisson (engineering)|caisson]] under the tower on the Brooklyn side was installed in March 1902; workers excavated dirt for the foundations from within the caisson, a process that was completed in December 1902.<ref name="ER-BR-SE p. 334">{{harvnb|Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer|1904|ps=.|page=334}}</ref> Three workers had died while working on the Brooklyn-side tower's caisson.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1903 |title=Work in the Caisson of Third East River Bridge – Death of Three Laborers Employed in Making Foundations for the Brooklyn Tower Causes Contractors to Desist from Their Attempt to Reach the Actual Rock Bottom |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/02/22/101974938.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A plan for the bridge was announced in early 1903. Elevated and trolley routes would use the Manhattan Bridge, and there would be large balconies and enormous spaces within the towers' anchorages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 4, 1903 |title=Plans for Third Bridge – The Manhattan to Be Ornamental as Well as Useful – Halls in Anchorages to Be Larger Than Cooper Union Auditorium – Globular Lights on High Pinnacles |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/02/04/101971266.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> Work on the Manhattan caisson had commenced in January 1903; it was towed to position in July, and the caisson work was completed by January 1904.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" />  The foundations were completed in March 1904.<ref name="nyt-1909-06-06" /> A $10 million grant for the bridge's construction was granted in May 1904 with the expectation that work on the bridge would start later that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 1904 |title=Grants $10,000,000 For World's Biggest Bridge – Board of Estimate Authorizes Expenditure for Manhattan Span – Aldermen Will Act Next Week – Work on Superstructure Will Begin July 1 – Will Be Finished in 1909 – Most Capacious Bridge on Earth |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/05/07/101391164.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref>

The [[Municipal Art Commission]] raised objections to one of the bridge's plans in June 1904, which delayed the start of construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/25/101393709.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> Another set of plans was unveiled that month by New York City Bridge Commissioner [[Gustav Lindenthal]], in conjunction with [[Henry Hornbostel]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/30/100472052.pdf |title=Manhattan Bridge Plans – Lindenthal Design Promises Structure of Lasting Credit to City (Letter) |date=June 30, 1904 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> The proposal also called for each of the suspension towers to be made of four columns, to be braced transversely and hinged to the bottom of the abutments longitudinally. The same span dimensions from Buck's plan were used because work on the masonry pier foundations had already begun.{{sfn|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1904|p=548}}  Additionally, the towers would have contained Modern French detail, while the anchorages would have been used for functions such as meeting halls.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}} Lindenthal's plan was also rejected<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/07/14/118946866.pdf |title=Manhattan Bridge Plans |date=July 14, 1904 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> due to a dispute over whether his plan, which used [[eyebar]]s, was better than the more established practice of using [[Wire rope|wire cables]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1904 |title=Lindenthal Objects to Wire Gable Plan – Should Not Be Used on Manhattan Bridge – Warns Art Commission – Says New Plan Would Cost More, Would Make Bridge Less Rigid, And Be Inferior in Many Ways |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/07/14/118946908.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref>  The Municipal Art Commission voted in September 1904 to use wire cables on the bridge.<ref name="p571602354">{{cite news |date=September 16, 1904 |title=Wire Cables Approved: For the New Bridge Only One Vote of Art Commission Against Best's Plan |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571602354}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=September 16, 1904 |title=Adopts Wire Cables for Manhattan Bridge – Art Commission Sustains Commissioner Best – Turns Down Eye-Bar Plan – John De Witt Warner Protests Against Action – Bids to be Advertised For at Once |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/09/16/117948520.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Lindenthal was ultimately dismissed and a new design was commissioned from [[Leon Moisseiff]].<ref name="structurae" />{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}} George Best replaced Lindenthal as the city's bridge commissioner{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|p=51}}{{sfn|National Park Service|1983|p=3}} and discarded the eyebar plans in favor of the wire cables.<ref name="n138539186">{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1905 |title=Roeblings Win Again: Big Hole in Contract Contractors May Take Their Own Time—City Helpless |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-roeblings-win-again-bi/138539186/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=2}}</ref> Hornbostel was replaced by [[Carrère and Hastings]] as architectural consultants.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|pp=51–52}} By late 1904, the disputes over the types of cables had delayed the contract for the bridge's superstructure (composed of its towers and deck).<ref name="n138531749">{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1904 |title=Manhattan Bridge Delay |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138531749/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The bridge's completion had been delayed by two years, and its cost had increased by $2 million.<ref name="n138539186" /> The cable dispute was not fully resolved until 1906, when Best's successor James W. Stevenson announced that the bridge would use wire cables.<ref name="p571786490a">{{cite news |date=March 24, 1906 |title=Eye-Bar Advocates Fail to Appear: Manhattan Bridge Cables to Be of Wire. Says Commissioner Stevenson |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571786490}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 10, 1906 |title=Biggest of River Bridges Should Be Open in 1910 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-biggest-of-rive/138577813/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref>

=== Anchorages, towers, and approach viaducts ===
Best reviewed bids for the construction of the anchorages in December 1904.<ref name="n138529868">{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1904 |title=Bridge Anchorage Bids |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bridge-anchorag/138529868/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=42}}</ref> The Williams Engineering Company received the $2 million contract for the anchorages' construction.<ref name="n138526137">{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1905 |title=Tammany Firm's Big Plum |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-tammany-firms-big-pl/138526137/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=6}}</ref> Construction commenced on the Brooklyn anchorage in February 1905 and on the Manhattan anchorage that April.<ref name="n138523343">{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1931 |title=Manhattan Bridge Is Seen as Monument to M'Clellan Former Mayor of New York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-manhattan-bridge-is-s/138523343/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=15}}</ref> The foundation subcontractors excavated the foundations of each anchorage using [[sheet piling]]s.<ref name="n138550087">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1906 |title=Pushing Work on Anchorage |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-pushing-work-on-ancho/138550087/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=3}}</ref><ref name="Ripley p. 204">{{harvnb|Ripley|1907|ps=.|page=204}}</ref> Barges were used to transport material from the East River to the anchorages' sites.<ref name="Ripley p. 204" /> Mixers constructed the masonry for the anchorages at a rate of up to {{convert|550|yd3}} per day.<ref name="Ripley p. 205">{{harvnb|Ripley|1907|ps=.|page=205}}</ref> During mid-1905, officials condemned land in Manhattan and Brooklyn for the bridge's approaches;<ref name="n138526928">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1905 |title=Making Good Progress in Condemnation of Land |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-making-good-progres/138526928/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> the land acquisition was partially delayed because the contractors rented out houses that were supposed to be demolished.<ref name="n138549750">{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1905 |title=Why New Bridge Waits |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-why-new-bridge-waits/138549750/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 29, 1905 |title=On Bridge 3 Approaches Some Houses Are Rented |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-on-bridge-3-app/138549784/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> By the end of the year, the city's bridge department was planning to erect streetcar terminal buildings at either end of the bridge.<ref name="p571667503" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1905 |title=The Manhattan Bridge Terminals |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/12/20/100495904.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

To avoid the delays that had occurred during the [[Williamsburg Bridge]]'s construction, Best planned to award a single large contract for the towers and the deck, rather than splitting the work into multiple contracts.<ref name="n138526333">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1905 |title=To Advertise by May 1 Plans for Bridge No. 3 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-advertise-by-may/138526333/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> He began soliciting bids for the metalwork in July 1905,<ref name="n138531720">{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1905 |title=Bids for Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-bids-for-manhattan-brid/138531720/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 23, 1905 |title=New Bridge Plans Ready |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-new-bridge-plans-read/138532356/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=12}}</ref> at which point the bridge was to use {{convert|44000|ST|LT t}} of metal.<ref name="p129000387">{{cite news |date=July 21, 1905 |title=Steel for Manhattan Bridge.: Greater New York Wants Nearly 44,000 Tons. |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-steel-for-manhat/138532281/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |pages=5 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129000387}}}}</ref> The [[Pennsylvania Steel Company]] received the contract in August 1905 after submitting a low bid of $7.248 million,<ref name="The New York Times 1905 s523">{{cite web |date=August 16, 1905 |title=Prison Commission Named; To Consider New Sites and Plans to Abolish Sing Sing and Auburn. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/08/16/archives/prison-commission-named-to-consider-new-sites-and-plans-to-abolish.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 16, 1905 |title=Contract for $7,284,000 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-contract-for-7/138534743/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=16}}</ref> and a competing bidder sued to prevent the contract from being awarded to Pennsylvania Steel.<ref name="n138533348">{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1905 |title=Suit to Enjoin Mr. Best Will Be Heard on Sept. 6 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-suit-to-enjoin/138533348/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 18, 1905 |title=More Trouble for Bridge Department |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-more-trouble-for-brid/138534956/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=5}}</ref> In November, a [[New York Supreme Court]] judge ruled that the contract with Pennsylvania Steel was illegal, as the bidding process had been designed to shut out other bidders.<ref name="The New York Times 1905 m406">{{cite web |date=November 22, 1905 |title=Court Holds Up Work on Manhattan Bridge; Contract with Pennsylvania Steel Company Declared Illegal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/11/22/archives/court-holds-up-work-on-manhattan-bridge-contract-with-pennsylvania.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 21, 1905 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract Enjoined |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-manhattan-bridge-contr/138538373/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=2}}</ref> Although Best tried to appeal the Supreme Court's decision,<ref name="The New York Times 1905 n965">{{cite web |date=December 8, 1905 |title=Appeals Bridge Contract; City Hopes to Give the Work to the Pennsylvania Steel Company. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/12/08/archives/appeals-bridge-contract-city-hopes-to-give-the-work-to-the.html |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=December 7, 1905 |title=Best to Appeal Contract |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-best-to-appeal/138539366/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> the contract was re-advertised anyway; Pennsylvania Steel refused to submit another bid.<ref name="p537167327">{{Cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Topics in New York: Lassoed Would-Be Suicide Who Leaped From a Boat Steel for the New Bridge Pennsylvania Steel Co. Refuses to Enter Competition for the Manhattan Span's Superstructure |work=The Sun |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|537167327}}}}</ref> When Stevenson became the bridge commissioner at the beginning of 1906, he ordered that new bridge specifications be created.<ref name="n138548685">{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1906 |title=Will Include Eye-Bars In Bridge Specifications |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-will-include-ey/138548685/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=10}}</ref> Stevenson received bids for the steelwork in May 1906,<ref name="p537167327" /><ref name="p144643797">{{cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract.: Lowest Bid on Big New York Structure Was $6,493,223. |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=9 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|144643797}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 8, 1906 |title=Bridge Bids Opened: Ryan-Parker Company Offers Lowest Figures for Steel Work |work=New-York Tribune |page=12 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571832220}}}}</ref> and the Ryan-Parker Construction Company received the contract the next month, following delays caused by an injunction and threats of lawsuits.<ref name="n138539932">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Contract Awarded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-manhattan-bridge-cont/138539932/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=June 17, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Begun |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-manhattan-bridge-work-b/138539986/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5}}</ref>

The Ryan-Parker Company hired the [[Phoenix Iron Works (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania)#Phoenix Bridge Company|Phoenix Bridge Company]] in September 1906 to fabricate the steelwork.<ref name="n138550254">{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1906 |title=Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-manhattan-bridge/138550254/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |pages=5 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The Phoenix Bridge Company's 2,000 workers began making beams, girders, eyebars, and other parts of the bridge at the firm's factory in [[Phoenixville, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="n138579192">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work Pushed by Phoenixville Steel Mills |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138579192/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=50}}</ref> The anchorages were less than half complete, in part because of inclement weather and material shortages.<ref name="n138550087" /> That November, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment approved $4 million for land acquisition in Manhattan and $300,000 for land acquisition in Brooklyn.<ref name="p129105464">{{cite news |date=November 24, 1906 |title=Millions for New Bridge Approaches |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129105464}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 23, 1906 |title=To Acquire Approaches |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-acquire-approach/138547252/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> By early 1907, the city had spent over $6 million on the bridge;<ref name="n138580906">{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1907 |title=Cost of the Third Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-cost-of-the-third-b/138580906/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=12 }}</ref> the bridge's total cost was estimated at $20 million.<ref name="n138582414">{{Cite news |date=April 7, 1907 |title=Panama Outdone in New York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-panama-outdone-in-new-york/138582414/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=38}}</ref> To speed up the bridge's completion, Manhattan borough president [[Bird Sim Coler]] considered implementing [[night shift]]s.<ref name="p571947857a">{{cite news |date=February 2, 1907 |title=To Hurry Bridge Work: Coler Wants to Know If Night Shifts Can Be Used on Manhattan |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571947857}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 2, 1907 |title=Favors Union Square Site for Court House; Board of Estimate Likely to Accept Commission's Report |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/02/02/archives/favors-union-square-site-for-court-house-board-of-estimate-likely.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> By February 1907, the Phoenix Bridge Company was manufacturing steel faster than it could be installed,<ref name="n138581156">{{Cite news |date=February 21, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Steel |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-steel/138581156/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=10}}</ref> and the steel for the anchorages was done.<ref name="n138581218">{{Cite news |date=February 14, 1907 |title=Extra Shifts Required on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-extra-shifts-re/138581218/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The company had also begun fabricating beams for the towers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1907 |title=First Completed Section of Manhattan Bridge Tower |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-first-completed/138581493/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=23}}</ref> Land acquisition for an extension of Flatbush Avenue to the bridge began in March,<ref name="n138582183">{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1907 |title=To Cut a Wide Swath in Brooklyn's Heart |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-cut-a-wide-swath/138582183/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=13}}</ref> and the first steel girders of the towers were lifted in place the next month.<ref name="n138582327">{{Cite news |date=April 5, 1907 |title=Setting Up the Towers for the Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-setting-up-the/138582327/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=25}}</ref> The first steel pedestals for the towers were installed on June 26, 1907.<ref name="n138585713">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1907 |title=Real Work Begins on New Bridge To-Day |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-real-work-begin/138585713/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=20}}</ref><ref name="n138585751">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1907 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-work/138585751/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=12}}</ref> The anchorages were nearly done by late 1907; they could not be completed until the cables were finished.<ref name="p571995180">{{cite news |date=September 8, 1907 |title=New Bridge Approach: Changes in Brooklyn in Preparation for Manhattan Structure |work=New-York Tribune |page=B6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571995180}}}}</ref>

The city government acquired land for the approaches in October 1907; this required the relocation of several hundred families in Brooklyn<ref name="n138588324">{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1907 |title=City's Tenants to Beg for Extension of Time |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-citys-tenants/138588324/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=5}}</ref> and nearly 1,000 families in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 29, 1907 |title=1,000 Families Must Move |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-1000-families-must-move/138590018/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1}}</ref> In total, about 145 lots in Brooklyn and 173 lots in Manhattan were obtained for the bridge's approaches and plazas.<ref name="p572045467">{{cite news |date=August 2, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge: Clearing Ground for the Approaches Almost Completed |work=New-York Tribune |page=C7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572045467}}}}</ref> Some Brooklyn residents requested additional time to relocate.<ref name="n138588324" /> Residents in the path of the Manhattan approach also protested efforts to evict them,<ref name="p571981215">{{cite news |date=November 25, 1907 |title=Put Off Moving Day: Tenants in Condemned Buildings Oppose Wreckers |work=New-York Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571981215}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 25, 1907 |title=Tenants Won't Move |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-tenants-wont-move/138588176/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=16}}</ref> though they were relocated at the beginning of December 1907.<ref name="nyt-1907-12-03">{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1907 |title=Tenements Give Way to New Bridge; Last Moving Day for Tenants Along the Line of the Manhattan's Approach |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/12/03/archives/tenements-give-way-to-new-bridge-last-moving-day-for-tenants-along.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, four companies submitted bids for the construction of the bridge's Manhattan and Brooklyn approach spans.<ref name="p129028537">{{cite news |date=December 10, 1907 |title=New Bridge Approaches |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129028537}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 12, 1907 |title=Opens Bids for Steel on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-opens-bids-for-steel/138588498/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=10}}</ref> John C. Rodgers submitted a low bid of $2.17 million for the viaducts,<ref name="n138588838">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1907 |title=Approaches for New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-approaches-for/138588838/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> and Stevenson requested that amount from the Board of Estimate.<ref name="n138588872">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1907 |title=To Finish 3D Bridge by 1910 Is the Plan |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-finish-3d-bridge/138588872/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=10}}</ref> By the beginning of 1908, most of the land had been cleared, and the suspension towers had been built to above the height of the deck.<ref name="n138592853">{{Cite news |date=January 9, 1908 |title=The Manhattan Bridge May Be Ready in Two Years |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-manhattan-b/138592853/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=28}}</ref> The Manhattan tower was finished that March,<ref name="n138593749">{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1908 |title=Towers Quickly Built for Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-towers-quickly/138593749/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> followed by the Brooklyn tower the next month.<ref name="n138599081">{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1908 |title=Last Saddle in Place on New Bridge Tower |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-last-saddle-in/138599081/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1908 |title=New Bridge Towers Practically Completed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-bridge-towers-pra/138599152/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> Land acquisition was nearly done by the middle of that year.<ref name="p572045467" />

=== Cables and deck ===
[[File:Manhattan Bridge Construction 1909.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Manhattan Bridge under construction in March 1909]]Andrew McC. Parker of the Ryan-Parker Company had predicted in January 1908 that the cables would be strung within two months.<ref name="p572009250">{{cite news |date=January 22, 1908 |title=About to String Cables |work=New-York Tribune |page=5 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572009250}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 23, 1908 |title=To String Cables March 1 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-string-cables-ma/138593069/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=7}}</ref> The Roebling & Sons Company started manufacturing the wires for the cables before the towers were finished,<ref name="n138593749" /> while the Glyndon Contracting Company was hired to lay the wires.<ref name="p882958340">{{Cite magazine |date=September 18, 1908 |title=Cable Hauling on the New Manhattan Bridge |magazine=Railroad Age Gazette |pages=946–947 |volume=45 |issue=16 |id={{ProQuest|882958340}}}}</ref><ref name="n138604732">{{Cite news |date=September 27, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge Steel a High Grade Product |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138604732/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref> Around {{convert|8500|ST|LT t}} of [[nickel steel]] wires were manufactured at the Carbon Steel Works in [[Pittsburgh]].<ref name="n138604732" /><ref name="n138605187a">{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1908 |title=Pushing Work on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-pushing-work-on-manha/138605187/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=10}}</ref> Workers began stringing temporary cables on June 15, 1908; the first wire broke loose while it was being strung, injuring two people.<ref name="p572056742">{{cite news |date=June 16, 1908 |title=First New Bridge Link: Temporary Cable Strung Between Manhattan Structure's Towers |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572056742}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 15, 1908 |title=Another Aerial Link Across the East River |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-another-aerial/138598955/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 17, 1908 |title=Bridge Cable Falls, Injuring Two Men – Lashing End Strikes Them as Heavy Wire Spins Over Top of Tower – Runaway Hits a Horse, Too – Workmen Capture It Just in Time to Save It from Slipping Full Length Into the River |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/06/17/104733281.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By this time, the construction cost had increased to $22 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/06/16/104732729.pdf |title=New Bridge Towers Joined – First Rope of Temporary Cable for Manhattan Structure Hits a Schooner |date=June 16, 1908 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017 |quote=During the next fortnight sixteen steel wire ropes will be stretched across the East River. They will be passed over the towers and, after being bound together in four cables, will be cleated to the anchorages. From the four cables temporary foot bridges will be suspended. Then the record-breaking 21½ inch permanent cables will be strung.}}</ref> The temporary cables supported temporary footbridges between each tower,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 8, 1908 |title=Preparing to Lay Cables on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-preparing-to-lay-cabl/138601773/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 9, 1908 |title=Footpath Building Rapid |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-footpath-building-rapid/138601916/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=5}}</ref> which were completed in mid-July.<ref name="p564190408">{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1908 |title=Workmen Now May Walk From Manhattan to Brooklyn Across New Manhattan Bridge |work=Detroit Free Press |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|564190408}}}}</ref> When the footbridges were finished, workers installed guide wires,<ref name="n138602393">{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=To Stretch Guide Wires for New Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-to-stretch-guide-wi/138602393/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=Manhattan Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-work/138602618/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=10 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 31, 1908 |title=To Spin First Cable Within a Few Days |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-to-spin-first-cable-w/138602379/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> which were laid as continuous loops.<ref name="p882958340" /> Two guide wheels, one at either end of each guide wire, carried the main cables' wires across the river between each anchorage.<ref name="p882958340" /><ref name="n138603646">{{Cite news |date=August 2, 1908 |title=Working at a Dizzy Height |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-working-at-a-dizzy-height/138603646/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=28}}</ref> These wheels were powered by a motor atop the Brooklyn anchorage. In addition, reels of wire were stored at both ends of the bridge.<ref name="p882958340" /> The guide wheels laid up to {{Convert|100|ST|LT t}} of wire every day.<ref name="n138605187a" />

The last wires for the main cables were strung in December 1908.<ref name="p572203060">{{cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Last Wire Over River: Record on New Bridge Mayor Presides at Ceremony on Manhattan Structure |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572203060}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 10, 1908 |title=Last Wire Is Strung for Our Biggest Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-last-wire-is-st/138605977/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Mayor Completes Last Bridge Strand – Pulls a Lever Which Spins It on Its Journey on the Great Manhattan Structure – Workmen Make a Record – When Completed, It Will Be the Largest Bridge of Its Kind in the World |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1908/12/11/104772678.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> That month, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment hired engineer [[Ralph Modjeski]] to review the engineering drawings for the Manhattan Bridge,<ref name="p572215430">{{cite news |date=December 12, 1908 |title=Bridge Expert Hired: For Manhattan Span Ralph Modjeski, Rebuilder of the Quebec Bridge, Coming Here |work=New-York Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572215430}}}}</ref> after the [[City Club of New York]] expressed concerns over the bridge's safety.<ref name="n138605721">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=Mayor Answers Folks |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-mayor-answers-f/138605721/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 11, 1908 |title=New Manhattan Bridge Test for Strength Ordered |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-new-manhattan-bridge-t/138605883/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=6}}</ref> Afterward, the Glyndon Construction Company installed the vertical suspender cables,<ref name="n138608200">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1909 |title=Cables About Finished; Rushing New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-cables-about-fi/138608200/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref> which were hung from the main cables.<ref name="n138608982">{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1909 |title=New Manhattan Bridge, Showing Suspender Cables Outlining Bridge Structure |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-new-manhattan-bridge-s/138608982/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=3}}</ref> By the beginning of 1909, the bridge was planned to open at the end of the year, but the subway tracks, streetcar tracks, and Flatbush Avenue Extension were not complete.<ref name="n138607759">{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1909 |title=No Vehicles May Cross New Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-vehicles-may/138607759/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> Around {{convert|60|e6lb|LT t}} of red steel [[girder]]s and floor panels for the bridge's deck had been delivered to a yard in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]].<ref name="nyt-1909-02-28">{{Cite news |date=February 28, 1909 |title=Steel for Manhattan Bridge; 60,000,000 Pounds Now Stored in Bayonne. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/02/28/archives/steel-for-manhattan-bridge-60000000-pounds-now-stored-in-bayonne.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The girders and panels were delivered to the bridge's site starting in February 1909,<ref name="p507919377">{{cite news |date=February 16, 1909 |title=Steel for Bridge at New York |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|507919377}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 11, 1909 |title=Fast Work on New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-fast-work-on-ne/138416591/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> and the first floor panel in the main span was installed the same month.<ref name="nyt-1909-02-25">{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Engineers Assured Lock Plan Will Fail; H.G. Granger Attacks President's Board and the Report in Favor of Lock Canal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/02/25/archives/engineers-assured-lock-plan-will-fail-hg-granger-attacks-presidents.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Flooring of New Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-flooring-of-new/138608838/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 25, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Done for New Year |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-manhattan-bridge-done/138416745/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Evening World |pages=6}}</ref> Each of the girders was hung from a pair of suspender cables, and floor panels were hung between the girders at a rate of four panels a day.<ref name="p572236963">{{cite news |date=March 21, 1909 |title=Laying Bridge Floor: Girders Are Being Buttoned to Manhattan Structure's Suspenders |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-laying-bridge-floor-gi/138608679/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |page=A8 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572236963}}}}</ref> It took workers three weeks to install the floor panels;<ref name="p572139521">{{cite news |date=April 3, 1909 |title=To Join Manhattan Bridge Arms |work=New-York Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572139521}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 4, 1909 |title=Big Bridge Spans Near Completion – Engineers Expect to Close the Gaps on Manhattan Bridge This Week – Record Job in 22 Days – Perfect Scale Balance Maintained in Extending the Steel Structure from Each Side of the Towers |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/04/04/101735994.pdf |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n138608593">{{Cite news |date=April 5, 1909 |title=Only 36 Feet to Go |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-only-36-feet-to/138608593/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> and the last panel was installed on April 7, 1909.<ref name="p572272082">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|507935457}} |title=Manhattan Span Steel Floor Laid |date=April 8, 1909 |page=4 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=April 8, 1909 |title=River Spanned Again: Last Floor Section of New Manhattan Bridge in Place Putting the First Connecting Girder of the Manhattan Bridge in Place Yesterday |work=New-York Tribune |page=8 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572272082}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 8, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Linked |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-manhattan-bridge-link/138416160/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |pages=4}}</ref>

The bridge commissioner received $1 million from the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for the completion of the roadway, subway tracks, and other design details.<ref name="n138417746">{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1909 |title=Big Items Approved: Appropriation of $1,000,000 For Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-big-items-approved-app/138417746/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 2, 1909 |title=$1,000,000 to Finish New Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-1000000-to-f/138417786/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> The trusses and side spans were built after the floor of the main span was completed.<ref name="n138608593" /> Carbon Steel began wrapping the main cables together in May 1909;<ref name="n138609079">{{Cite news |date=May 13, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138609079/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=18}}</ref> the wrapping process required {{Convert|140|ST|LT t}} of wire, and the company was able to wrap five to seven segments of cables per day.<ref name="n138609892">{{Cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Cables Completed on First Anniversary of Stringing of Wires |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138609892/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=15}}</ref> All work on the cables was finished in August 1909, almost exactly a year after the first strand of the first main cable was strung.<ref name="n138609892" /><ref name="p572294694a">{{cite news |date=August 15, 1909 |title=Bridge Cables Strung: Important Part of the New Structure Completed in Record Time |work=New-York Tribune |page=C6 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572294694}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Cable Work Nearly Done |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-cable-work-nearly-d/138480509/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=August 10, 1909 |title=Weave Final Strands of Big Bridge Cables |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-weave-final-strands-o/138480552/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> Workers then installed ornamentation on the tops of the towers and bronze collars on each of the main cables.<ref name="n138609892" /> Modjeski reported that September that the bridge was safe.<ref name="p572268958">{{cite news |date=September 19, 1909 |title=Says Bridge Is Safe: Manhattan Span O.K'd. Consulting Engineer Finds Structure Is Right in All Important Parts |work=New-York Tribune |page=5 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|572268958}}}}</ref><ref name="n138610151">{{Cite news |date=September 19, 1909 |title=Manhattan Bridge Ready by Dec. 15 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138610151/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138610188/ 7]}}</ref> At the time, the plazas were incomplete, and Flatbush Avenue Extension was unpaved;<ref name="n138610151" /> the bridge commissioner was razing buildings near the Manhattan plaza by that November.<ref name="p508018831">{{cite news |date=November 23, 1909 |title=New Manhattan Bridge to Be Open |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|508018831}}}}</ref> The ''[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]'' reported that there was widespread discontent over the fact that streetcar and subway service would not be ready for the bridge's opening.<ref name="n138650426">{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1909 |title=Brooklynites Enraged at New Bridge Fiasco |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklynites-en/138650426/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=11}}</ref>