Editing Hell Gate Bridge (section)

==Description<span class="anchor" id="Design"></span>==
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|text=The bridge's five spans and two approach viaducts
{{unbulleted list
|{{colorbox|#a00}} Bronx approach viaduct
|{{colorbox|#f00}} Bronx Kill span
|{{colorbox|#0a0}} Randalls and Wards Islands spans
|{{colorbox|#0f0}} Little Hell Gate span
|{{colorbox|#0ff}} Hell Gate (main) span
|{{colorbox|#00a}} Queens approach viaduct
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The Hell Gate Bridge was originally known as the New York Connecting Railroad Bridge<ref>{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Daniel B. |date=March 19, 2000 |title=F.Y.I. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/19/nyregion/fyi-304220.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722054021/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/19/nyregion/fyi-304220.html |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |access-date=January 23, 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p575472191" /><ref name="n142406991" /> or as the East River Bridge Division.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> It consists of five spans, which connect the [[New York City borough]]s of [[the Bronx]] to the north with [[Queens]] to the south. Three of the spans cross the [[Hell Gate]], [[Little Hell Gate]], and the Bronx Kill waterways, while the other two spans run above Randalls and Wards Islands.<ref name="p575472191">{{cite news |date=August 22, 1915 |title=Greatest Arch Bridge to Join East and West: Pennsylvania's Structure, Spanning Hell Gate, Nears Completion the Newest of New York's Great Bridges |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |page=8 |id={{ProQuest|575472191}}}}</ref><ref name="n142406991">{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1915 |title=Facts of Longest Bridge in World |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-facts-of-longest-br/142406991/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=The Herald Statesman |pages=7 |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301011746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-facts-of-longest-br/142406991/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Including approach viaducts in the Bronx and Queens, the Hell Gate Bridge is composed of seven sections.<ref name="p502726608" /> Together with approaches, the bridge has been cited as being {{Convert|15840|ft|mi km|1}},<ref name="nyt-1912-11-10" /> more than {{convert|17000|ft|mi km|1}},<ref name=":0">Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=zA4xAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA769 "Growing a Bridge From Both Ends"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405043300/https://books.google.com/books?id=zA4xAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA769 |date=April 5, 2022}}, p. 769, ''[[The Literary Digest]]'', Volume 51, No. 14, October 2, 1915. Accessed July 7, 2016. "The whole length of the structure (arch and two approaches), from abutment on Long Island to abutment in the Bronx, is 17,000 feet, or considerably over three miles."</ref> or {{Convert|3.38|mi|ft km}} long.<ref name="Ammann p. 1660">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1660}}</ref> [[Gustav Lindenthal]] was the chief engineer for the bridge;<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 6" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1911 |title=Personal and Impersonal |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-personal-and-im/142374000/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=4 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192729/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-personal-and-im/142374000/ |url-status=live}}</ref> he was assisted by the engineers [[Othmar Ammann]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hopkins |first=Henry J. |url=https://archive.org/embed/spanofbridgesill00hopk |title=A Span of Bridges: An Illustrated History |publisher=New York, Praeger |year=1970 |pages=230}}</ref><ref name="p235664917">{{cite magazine |date=March 15, 1999 |title=1917: Hell Gate Bridge's Fame Belies Its Name |magazine=Engineering News-Record |pages=28 |volume=242 |issue=11 |id={{ProQuest|235664917}}}}</ref> and [[David B. Steinman]].<ref name="p235664917" /><ref name="p1327224557">{{cite news |date=August 23, 1960 |title=Dr. David B. Steinman Dies, Bridge Designer: Worked on Triborough, Mackinac, Thousand Islands and Hell Gate |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1327224557}}}}</ref> In addition, [[Henry Hornbostel]] was the bridge's architect.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="nyt-1961-12-14">{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1961 |title=Henry Hornbostel, 94, Is Dead; Designer of the Hell Gate Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/12/14/archives/henry-hornbostel-94-is-dead-designer-of-the-hell-gate-bridge.html |access-date=March 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222653/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/12/14/archives/henry-hornbostel-94-is-dead-designer-of-the-hell-gate-bridge.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=December 15, 1961 |title=Maj. Hornbostel Dies At 94; Noted Architect |work=The Hartford Courant |page=29C |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|547614214}}}}</ref>

The Hell Gate Bridge is used exclusively as a railroad bridge, carrying passenger trains traveling between [[New York Penn Station]] and the Bronx, as well as freight trains heading between Queens and the Bronx.<ref name="Amtrak p151">{{cite web |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Celebrating the Hell Gate Bridge Centennial |url=https://history.amtrak.com/blogs/blog/hell-gate-bridge-centennial |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=Amtrak: History of America's Railroad |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226202948/https://history.amtrak.com/blogs/blog/hell-gate-bridge-centennial |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Dispute between MTA, Amtrak could delay Penn Access megaproject bringing Metro-North to west side |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/dispute-mta-amtrak-delay-penn-access-megaproject/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=amNewYork |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130222122/https://www.amny.com/transit/dispute-mta-amtrak-delay-penn-access-megaproject/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Hell Gate Bridge parallels the Hell Gate and Bronx Kill legs of the [[Robert F. Kennedy Bridge|Robert F. Kennedy (formerly Triborough) Bridge]] to the west.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1936 |title=The Triborough Bridge, a $63,000,000 Steel and Concrete Giant, Opened to the Public: Three Boroughs of New York Linked to a Vast Project to Relieve Traffic Congestion; The Triborough Bridge, a $63,000,000 Steel and Concrete Giant, Opened to the Public: Three Boroughs of New York Linked to a Vast Project to Relieve Traffic Congestion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/12/archives/the-triborough-bridge-a-63000000-steel-and-concrete-giant-opened-to.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304021950/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/12/archives/the-triborough-bridge-a-63000000-steel-and-concrete-giant-opened-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The span across Hell Gate is oriented roughly from northwest to southeast, while the other two spans are oriented from northeast to southwest.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|page=888}}</ref> The bridge was built with provisions for an upper level if the need arose.<ref name="Ammann p. 1657" /> The entire bridge required {{Convert|90000|ST|LT t}} of steel and {{Convert|460000|yd3|m3 ft3}} of concrete.<ref name="p128359243" /><ref name="nyt-1915-08-01">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1915 |title=New East River Bridge; Work Progressing Rapidly on Structure Over Hell Gate. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/08/01/archives/new-east-river-bridge-work-progressing-rapidly-on-structure-over.html |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233127/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/08/01/archives/new-east-river-bridge-work-progressing-rapidly-on-structure-over.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RAG1914 pp. 888–889">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|pages=888–889}}</ref> The decks of each span are all made of concrete panels, which carry [[track bed]]s with [[ballast]]; this was intended to reduce noise pollution and is unusual for a railroad bridge.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 2, 1915 |title=Recent Tendencies in Concrete Ballasted Deck Construction |magazine=Railway Age Gazette |page=728 |volume=58 |issue=14 |id={{ProQuest|879802636}}}}</ref> The February 2005 issue of ''[[Discover (magazine)|Discover]]'' magazine estimated that, if humans were to disappear, the bridge could last for at least a millennium; most other bridges would fall in about 300 years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weisman |first=Alan |date=February 2005 |title=Earth Without People: What would happen to our planet if the mighty hand of humanity simply disappeared? |magazine=[[Discover (magazine)|Discover]] |url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/earth-without-people |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230328181845/https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/earth-without-people |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

=== Main span ===
[[File:Hell Gate Bridge seen from Queens.jpg|thumb|The main span as seen from further east in Queens|alt=The main span, an arch bridge with stone towers at either end, as seen from Queens|300x300px]]

The main span is a spandrel arch across the Hell Gate strait,<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 pp. 6–7" /> flanked by large stone towers on either bank of the strait.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1651">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1651}}</ref> When the main span was completed, it was sometimes referred to specifically as the Hell Gate Bridge<ref name="p575472191" /> or as the East River Arch Bridge.<ref name="nyt-1991-11-30"/>

==== Arch and deck ====
The main span measures {{convert|1017|ft}} long between the outer faces of the masonry "towers" on either side of Hell Gate.<ref name="p1114484502" /><ref name="Greenstein p. 50" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1651" /> The clear span (between the inner faces) is {{convert|977.5|ft}},<ref name="Greenstein p. 50" /><ref name="p235664917" /> while the distance between the centers of these towers is {{convert|995|ft}}.<ref name="Ammann p. 1651" /> At the center of the main span, the deck reaches its maximum height, {{Convert|145|ft}} above mean high water,<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /> with a clearance below of {{Convert|135|ft}}.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1661">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1661}}</ref> The main span was intended to carry a total load of approximately 76,000 pounds per lineal foot, or {{convert|76000|lb/ft|kg/m|abbr=values|disp=out}} kilograms per lineal meter.<ref name="p235664917" /> The span uses high-[[carbon steel]] because it was cheaper than [[nickel steel]] at the time of construction.<ref name="Hill Sinclair 1922 p. 12">{{cite book |last1=Hill |first1=J.A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZQjAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12 |title=Railway and Locomotive Engineering ... |last2=Sinclair |first2=A. |publisher=Angus Sinclair Company |year=1922 |page=12 |issue=v. 35 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308225306/https://books.google.com/books?id=RZQjAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12 |url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the main span required between {{convert|18000|and|20000|ST|}} of [[rolled steel]].<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="p502726608" /><ref name="nyt-1915-08-01" />

The span is a [[Hinged arch bridge|two-hinged arch]]; there are [[hinge]]s at the springing points of the arch (at the bases of the towers on either side of Hell Gate).<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="RAG1915 p. 424" /><ref name="p235664917" /> The arch's beams run along the north and south sides of a {{Convert|60|ft|4=-wide|adj=mid}} deck.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 890" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1678">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1678}}</ref> On either side of the deck is an upper chord, with an inverted U-shaped cross section, and a lower chord, with a box-shaped cross section.<ref name="RAG1914 pp. 890–891">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|pages=890–891}}</ref> The two chords are {{Convert|140|ft}} apart at either shore of Hell Gate, narrowing to {{Convert|40|ft}} apart at the middle of the river.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 890" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1678" /> Each lower chord ranges in thickness from approximately {{convert|7|to|11|ft}},<ref name="p235664917" /><ref name="RAG1914 pp. 890–891" /> and the thickest sections of the lower chord are divided into two compartments.<ref name="n142439586" /><ref name="RAG1915 p. 423">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1915|ps=.|page=423}}</ref> The upper chord is thinner and functions like a stiffening truss;<ref name="p235664917" /> it is shaped like a hump,<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 7" /><ref name="n142388040" /> both for structural reinforcement and for esthetic purposes.<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 7" /> It reaches a maximum height of {{Convert|300|ft}}<ref name="p509758823">{{cite news |date=January 2, 1917 |title=Bridge to Be Opened Soon at Hell Gate: It Completes a Continuous All Rail Route From Nova Scotia via New York to the South and West—has Four Tracks |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=6 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|509758823}}}}</ref> or {{Convert|305|ft}} above mean high water.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1651" /><ref name="Ammann pp. 1677–1678">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|pages=1677–1678}}</ref> Beams run vertically and diagonally between the upper and lower chords.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 424" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1678" /> There is also transverse bracing between the upper chords and lower chords on either side of the bridge.<ref name="Ammann p. 1679">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1679}}</ref>

Eight stringers, or [[girder]]s, run parallel to and under the tracks for the entire length of the deck. Four additional stringers were intended to support unbuilt walkways or trolley tracks on either side.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 423" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1679" /> These are intersected by 24 transverse floor beams. Sixteen of the transverse beams are suspended from the lower chord, while the other eight beams are riveted to the vertical trusses between the lower and upper chords.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 423" /> Additional girders are used to stabilize the floor of the deck.<ref name="Ammann pp. 1679–1680">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|pages=1679–1680}}</ref>

==== Towers ====
Hornbostel was responsible for the towers on either shore of Hell Gate, which were designed to resemble castle [[keep]]s.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /> They measure {{Convert|220|ft}} high and are made of concrete; the towers are clad with Maine granite above ground level.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /> At the bases of each tower are two {{convert|500000|lb|adj=on}} cast-steel hinges, one for each of the lower chords.<ref name="p556427259" /> The Queens tower sits atop a layer of rock {{Convert|20|ft}} below the ground.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /><ref name="n142388040" /> The layer of rock on the Wards Island side is substantially deeper, descending more than {{Convert|100|ft}}, and so the Wards Island tower sits atop a deep caisson foundation.<ref name="n142398010" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /> At ground level, the towers have a cross section of {{Convert|104|by|140|ft}}.<ref name="n142398010" /><ref name="nyt-1913-07-06" /> Each tower has a "shoulder", upon which the lower chords rest, and the towers' dimensions shrink above this shoulder.<ref name="n142388040" />

The upper portions of each tower are hollow and contain staircases.<ref name="Greenstein p. 50" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1682">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1682}}</ref> Steel girders inside the towers support the tracks,<ref name="Ammann p. 1682" /> but the towers are otherwise largely ornamental.<ref name="Greenstein p. 50" /> The upper section of each tower contains archways on all four sides. There are also [[Loophole (firearm)|loophole]]-like openings flanking the tracks. The tops of the towers are surrounded by [[parapet]]s.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1682" /> Space for railroad equipment, such as [[Signalling control|switch tower]] machinery, was provided on the roof of each tower.<ref name="p575472191" />

=== Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts ===
Northwest of the Hell Gate span, the viaduct curves about 90 degrees to the northeast,<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /> running along the east side of Wards and Randalls Islands.<ref name="n142397488" /> The viaduct above Wards Island is about {{Convert|2650|ft}} long<ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> and consists of 30 [[plate girder]] sections, which are each between {{convert|86|and|93|ft}} long.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 890" />{{efn|The ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' gives a slightly different measurement of {{convert|87|to|90|ft}}.<ref name="n142388040" />}} Each pier consists of a concrete arch measuring up to {{Convert|120|ft}} high and around {{convert|20|by|65|ft}} across at its base.<ref name="n142388040" /> The arches are composed of two legs connected by an arched girder.<ref name="RAG1915 pp. 422–423" /> North of the Wards Island viaduct, trains cross the former Little Hell Gate strait to reach the Randalls Island viaduct.<ref name="nyt-1915-08-01" /><ref name="In 2024 a707">{{cite web |last=Oviatt-Lawrence |first=Alice |date=February 22, 2024 |title=Gustav Lindenthal's Little Hell Gate Rail Bridge |url=https://www.structuremag.org/?p=8199 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=Structure magazine |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.structuremag.org/?p=8199 |url-status=live}}</ref> The viaduct across Randalls Island is about {{Convert|1965|ft}} long<ref name="nyt-1915-08-01" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> and measures about {{Convert|75|to|80|ft}} high.<ref name="n142388040" /> It is supported by concrete arches similar to those on Wards Island.<ref name="n142388040" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /> The arches support 24 plate-girder sections that measure between {{convert|80|and|87|ft}} long.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" />{{efn|The ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' gives a slightly different measurement of 22 spans, measuring {{convert|80|ft}} long.<ref name="n142388040" />}}

The viaduct ramps down as it continues north from Wards Island to Randalls Island.<ref name="RAG1914 pp. 889–890" /> The original plans for the piers called for them to be made for steel lattices.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="p866183708" /> The metal piers were changed to concrete both because the Municipal Art Commission disapproved of the steel-lattice design,<ref name="p575472191" /> and because there were concerns that the islands' prisoners and psychiatric patients could escape by climbing the trestles. In addition, when the plans for the piers were changed in 1914, metal had become more expensive than concrete.<ref name="In 2024 q032" />

==== Little Hell Gate Bridge ====
[[File:Acela crosses Little Hell Gate SB fr under TBB jeh cropped.jpg|thumb|Little Hell Gate span]]Between the Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts is the Little Hell Gate Bridge, an inverted [[Tied arch bridge|bowstring truss]] bridge.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /><ref name="synHarbNewcTyneBridge">{{cite web |date=September 24, 2014 |title=Tyne Bridge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northeast/series3/tyne_bridge_northeasthistory.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301234651/http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northeast/series3/tyne_bridge_northeasthistory.shtml |archive-date=March 1, 2017 |access-date=December 28, 2016 |website=BBC Inside Out |quote=Tyne Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson... in turn derived its design from the Hell Gate Bridge}}</ref> The inverted bowstring truss span is {{Convert|1154|ft}} long, as measured from the centers of the abutments on either side.<ref name="p1114484502" /><ref name="In 2024 a707" /> The Little Hell Gate Bridge consists of four sections of nearly equal length, although two are slightly longer than the others.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> Each section is composed of linked [[eyebar]]s measuring {{Convert|16|in}} wide.<ref name="p556427259" />

The bridge is supported by three piers, which are skewed because they follow the former course of Little Hell Gate. Each pier is composed of a reinforced concrete arch held up by two circular columns. The portion of each pier below the former strait's water level is made of granite.<ref name="RAG1914 pp. 889–890" /> Because Little Hell Gate was never a [[navigable waterway]], the [[United States Department of War]] had allowed the builders to construct the piers within the strait itself.<ref name="In 2024 a707" /> Little Hell Gate was infilled in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 16, 1995 |title=Postings: Parks and Transportation Departments Debate Future of Former Link Between Randalls and Wards Islands; At City Agencies, Troubled Water Over Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/16/realestate/postings-parks-transportation-departments-debate-future-former-link-between.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101193121/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/16/realestate/postings-parks-transportation-departments-debate-future-former-link-between.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Bronx Kill span ===
[[File:Bronx Kill and Hell Gate Bridge east of Triboro jeh.jpg|thumb|The Hell Gate Bridge's Bronx Kill span. The Bronx Kill is seen running to the left of the span itself.]]
A {{convert|350|ft|m|sigfig=2|adj=on}} fixed truss bridge crosses the Bronx Kill strait.<ref name=":0" /> It consists of two truss sections that are each {{Convert|175|ft|round=5}} long.<ref name="n142388040" /><ref name="nyt-1915-08-01" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 889">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|page=889}}</ref> The span is supported by a central pier between the two trusses, as well as by "tower piers" at either end. The piers are clad with granite below the mean water level and concrete above. Although the center and south piers are placed on solid rock, the north pier is placed on [[spread footing]]s because the underlying layer of rock descends sharply to the north.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> The north pier measures {{convert|55|ft}} high and {{convert|54|ft}} wide, with a large arched opening underneath.<ref name="n142388040" /> Originally, the Bronx Kill passed diagonally under the truss spans.<ref name="n142397488" />

The Bronx Kill span was planned as a double-leaf [[bascule bridge|bascule drawbridge]], although the Bronx Kill was not a navigable waterway even at the time of the bridge's construction. As such, the piers under the span had space for drawbridge machinery,<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> and the span had a clearance below of {{Convert|63|ft}}.<ref name="n142388040" /> Underneath the Bronx Kill span is the Hell Gate Pathway, which continues underneath the Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts.<ref name="The Hell Gate Pathway : NYC Parks 2006 n945">{{cite web |date=July 11, 2006 |title=Randall's Island Park Highlights |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/randalls-island/highlights/19674 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=The Hell Gate Pathway : NYC Parks |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712154920/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/randalls-island/highlights/19674 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Approach viaducts ===
The height of the arch above Hell Gate required that the line be placed on an elevated viaduct between Long Island City and Port Morris. The viaduct is almost entirely composed of steel and concrete, except for small segments at either end, where the line is carried on an [[Embankment (earthworks)|embankment]] with retaining walls.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /> The steel viaduct is carried on approximately 150 concrete piers.<ref name="RAG1914 pp. 888–889" />

==== Bronx viaduct ====
In the Bronx, the Hell Gate Bridge has an approach viaduct measuring {{Convert|4356|ft|m}} long<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /> and descends at a grade of up to 1.2 percent.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> The NH used [[helper locomotive]]s during the 20th century to assist freight trains traversing the approach viaduct's grade.<ref name="p896297024" /><ref name="p879783320">{{cite magazine |date=October 23, 1943 |title=Five More Electric Locomotives Added to New Haven Fleet: Trend in design is to higher-horsepower single-cab units—newest type is suitable for freight and passenger service Table I—Principal Dimensions and Weights of the Three Latest Types of New York, New Haven & Hartford Electric Locomotives |magazine=Railway Age |page=655 |volume=115 |issue=17 |id={{ProQuest|879783320}}}}</ref> The Bronx viaduct merges with the former four-track [[Port Morris Branch]] (now the one-track [[Oak Point Link]]) at 142nd Street in Port Morris.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /><ref>{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|pages=1660–1661}}</ref> Separate ramps carry the western and eastern pairs of tracks down to the level of the Port Morris Branch.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> As built, the western ramp descended between the Port Morris Branch's western and eastern pairs of tracks, while the eastern ramp descended to the east of the Port Morris Branch.<ref name="Ammann p. 1660" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> Two sets of piers carry the ramps northward from the Bronx Kill span to 132nd Street.<ref name="n142388040" />

From the Bronx Kill north to 132nd Street, the four-track-wide viaduct consists of plate girders, which rest on concrete piers. Each pier is less than {{Convert|50|ft}} tall and has an arched opening at the base.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> The Hell Gate Pathway runs underneath the arches.<ref name="The Hell Gate Pathway : NYC Parks 2006 n945" /> The viaduct splits into two ramps north of 132nd Street, each with space for two tracks.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> Between 132nd and 138th Street, the ramps are largely supported by rectangular concrete piers.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" /> The plate girders run parallel to each other, under the tracks, and are intersected perpendicularly by I-beams, which support the concrete-and-ballast trackbeds above.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 422">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1915|ps=.|page=422}}</ref> The western ramp crosses over the Port Morris Branch's former eastern pair of tracks from 132nd to 133rd Street and is supported by large steel cross-girders.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 422" /> Between 138th and 142nd streets, the line is carried on an embankment measuring {{Convert|900|ft}} long.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 889" />

==== Queens viaduct ====
The Queens approach viaduct descends at a grade of no more than 0.72 percent and is carried over local streets.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 1368" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> It ranges from {{Convert|110|to|30|ft}} above ground.<ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> The section west of 29th Street measures {{Convert|2868|ft}} long and was originally known as the Long Island viaduct.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 424" /> The western viaduct is very similar to those above Randalls and Wards Islands, but the piers of the Queens viaduct use shallow foundations due to the presence of gravel and sand under the viaduct. The gravel and sand could not accommodate loads of more than {{convert|3|ST/ft2|t/m2}}, so the Queens viaduct is supported by especially wide concrete piers.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|page=891}}</ref>
[[File:Astoria_Ditmars_Boulevard_tunnel_vc.jpg|thumb|The arch carrying the Hell Gate approach viaduct above the [[Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard station]]]]
The section from 29th to 44th Street{{efn|The ''Railway Age Gazette'' refers to this segment as running between "Lawrence Street and Stemler Street".<ref name="RAG1914 p. 892" /> These streets have respectively been renamed 29th and 44th streets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queens Table 1: Old Name to New Name |website=One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse |url=https://stevemorse.org/census/changes/QueensChanges1a.htm |access-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215013843/https://stevemorse.org/census/changes/QueensChanges1a.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>}} measures {{Convert|3480|ft}} long and was originally called the eastern viaduct.<ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /> Reinforced concrete [[Semicircular arch|round arches]] carry the line over several streets in Astoria.<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /><ref name="n142397488" /> The approach viaduct crosses above the [[New York City Subway]]'s elevated [[Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard station]] at 31st Street,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NYCityMap |url=http://maps.nyc.gov/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150524114059/http://maps.nyc.gov/ |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=NYC.gov |publisher=[[New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications]]}}</ref> and [[three-centered arch]]es were used at two locations where a flatter arch was required.<ref name="n142397488" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 892">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|page=892}}</ref> [[Warren truss]] bridges carry the line diagonally above intersections.<ref name="n142398010" /><ref name="RAG1915 p. 425">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1915|ps=.|page=425}}</ref> The truss-bridge segments typically measure {{convert|120|to|166|ft}} long<ref name="RAG1914 p. 891" /><ref name="n142397488" /> and consist of heavy box-section columns that are made of built-up [[I-beam]]s.<ref name="RAG1915 p. 425" /> Along the remainder of the eastern viaduct, the tracks run atop compacted [[Fill (land)|land fill]], which is enclosed by retaining walls. The retaining walls are made of slabs that are bolted together, while the fill came from the excavation of [[Sunnyside Yard]].<ref>{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|pages=891–892}}</ref>

East of 44th Street, the viaduct ends, and the line descends onto an embankment.<ref name="Ammann p. 1661" /><ref name="RAG1914 p. 892" /> The passenger and freight tracks branch off in western Queens, past the end of the viaduct.<ref name="Ammann p. 1656" />