Editing Hell Gate Bridge (section)

==== 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" />