Editing Hell Gate Bridge (section)

=== 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>