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Hell Gate Bridge
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== Impact == === Critical reception === When the bridge was being built, ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that the bridge's abutments would dwarf the buildings on Wards Islands but that "it will give the idea of lightness and symmetry as well as almost immovable strength".<ref name="nyt-1912-11-10" /> Hornbostel said the main span would "form a veritable triumphal arch at the northerly entrance of the Port of New York",<ref name="n142388040" /> while the [[Railway Gazette International|''Railway Gazette'']] called the project "second in interest only to the [[Quebec Bridge]]" due to its length.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 9, 1915 |title=Railroads. Big Construction Work: in This Country and Canada Breaks Old Records. Quebec and Hell Gate Spans Marvels in Bridges. Magnolin and Lackawanna Cut-offs Surpass All Previous Elforts of Their Kind. |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|869227099}}}}</ref> After the main arch was completed, a writer for the ''[[New-York Tribune]]'' said: "Perhaps never in human history has a mechanical triumph of such magnitude been launched with so little fanfare",<ref name="n142410167" /> while ''Outlook'' magazine described it as being "of interest in both the scientific world and in the world of transportation".<ref name="p136977172" /> A writer for ''[[The American Architect]]'' magazine said in 1920 that "there is something picturesque about the long viaduct leading to Hell Gate Bridge".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bourne |first=Frank A. |date=August 18, 1920 |title=Department of Architectural Engineering: the Architect a Necessary Factor in Bridge Building Co-operation Between Architect and Engineer Essential to Improved Bridge Design |magazine=The American Architect |page=219 |volume=118 |issue=2330 |id={{ProQuest|124684948}}}}</ref> A 1972 almanac described the Hell Gate Bridge as one of 84 "notable modern bridges" across the world.<ref name="n142900397">{{Cite news |last=Singleton |first=Donald |date=March 6, 1972 |title=Of Cables, Beams and Beauty |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-of-cables-beams-and-beauty/142900397/ |access-date=March 7, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=216}}</ref> Jeffrey Kroessler and Nina Rappaport, the authors of the 1990 book ''Historic Preservation in Queens'', described the Hell Gate Bridge as one of 35 structures in Queens that they believed were worth designating as official New York City landmarks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1990 |title=Postings: 'Historic Preservation in Queens'; Nominees for Landmark Designation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/15/realestate/postings-historic-preservation-in-queens-nominees-for-landmark-designation.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the end of the 20th century, the ''[[Engineering News-Record]]'' wrote that, "Its name notwithstanding, Hell Gate Bridge over the East River in New York City is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful bridges."<ref name="p235664917" /> In 2004, Joe Greenstein of ''Trains'' magazine described Amtrak passengers' view from the bridge as the "spectacular reward for enduring the cramped chaos of [[New York Penn Station|Penn Station]]",<ref>{{harvnb|Greenstein|2004|ps=.|page=49}}</ref> but that the bridge was rarely noticed by those on the ground.<ref name="Greenstein p. 51" /> A writer for the same magazine called the Hell Gate Bridge "one of the most impressive and important railroad structures in America" in 2007.<ref name="p206643782">{{Cite magazine |last=McGonigal |first=Robert S. |date=May 2007 |title=The New York Connecting Railroad: Long Island's Other Railroad |magazine=Trains |page=74 |volume=67 |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|206643782}}}}</ref> At the bridge's centennial, Greater Astoria Historical Society director Bob Singleton called the Hell Gate Bridge "a school for 20th-century bridge making" and attributed the bridge's relative obscurity to the fact that it did not accommodate vehicles or pedestrians.<ref name="Barone 2017 q167" /> According to Amtrak's deputy chief structural engineer, Jim Richter, the bridge was "a great symbol of the railroad".<ref name="Barron 2017 y521">{{cite web |last=Barron |first=James |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Hell Gate Bridge, a Good Place to Hide From Zombies, Turns 100 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/nyregion/hell-gate-bridge-a-good-place-to-hide-from-zombies-turns-100.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> === Effect on development and commerce === [[File:Hell Gate (95023027).jpeg|thumb|The main span's deck]] When the Hell Gate Bridge and the NYCR line were proposed, the [[Brooklyn Times-Union|''Brooklyn Times'']] reported that the bridge and line would shift New York City's freight rail traffic from Manhattan to Brooklyn,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1902 |title=To Centralize Business Interests on Long Island |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-to-centralize-business-inter/142084801/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=9}}</ref> and PRR president [[Alexander Cassatt]] said the project would be second only to the [[Panama Canal]] in its impact on trade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1906 |title=Extensive Local Terminal Plans of Long Island Railroad |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-extensive-local-terminal-pla/142116304/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=18}}</ref> The bridge would also enable residents of towns along the New Haven railroad to commute to Penn Station,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 9, 1908 |title=New Haven Denies Rumor |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-haven-denie/142165203/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 12, 1908 |title=New Haven Railroad Plan |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-new-haven-railroad-plan/142165045/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=73}}</ref> at a time when the railroad used Grand Central Terminal to access Manhattan.<ref name="Newspapers.com 1909 x719">{{cite web |date=March 21, 1909 |title=Transportation Problems |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun/82724063/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Sun |page=50}}</ref> The ''[[New-York Tribune]]'' wrote in 1908 that, "for the first time in the history of this city, [there will be] an all-rail route through New York between New England and the South".<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 12, 1908 |title=Real Estate Market Strong |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-real-estate-market-stro/142166121/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=61}}</ref> After work had begun, ''The New York Times'' called the bridge and the NYCR line "one of the greatest improvements under way toward the industrial development of Queens",<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1912 |title=Industrial Future Bright for Queens; Hell Gate Bridge Will Be Big Factor in Stimulating Business Growth. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/09/29/archives/industrial-future-bright-for-queens-hell-gate-bridge-will-be-big.html |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> while the ''Sun'' said the bridge would increase Long Island's population and economy by making Queens into an industrial hub.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 1, 1912 |title=Connecting Railroad Will Have Wide Effect |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-connecting-railroad-will-have-wi/142376514/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=26}}</ref> The ''Times'' also predicted in 1913 that the bridge's completion would increase real-estate values in western Queens and the [[South Bronx]].<ref name="nyt-1913-07-06" /> When the bridge was completed, various houses and other buildings were constructed underneath the bridge's approach viaduct, particularly in Queens.<ref name="Greenstein pp. 49β50">{{harvnb|Greenstein|2004|ps=.|pages=49β50}}</ref> The ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' predicted that the completion of the bridge, along with the proposed [[Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel]], would reduce shipping times to and from Brooklyn by a full day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1916 |title=N. Y. Connecting R. R. Important Factor in Freight Transportation |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-n-y-connectin/142450150/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=80}}</ref> The ''Railway Age Gazette'' similarly predicted that freight rail would benefit most from the Hell Gate Bridge.<ref name="p886557243" /> When the bridge opened, business owners negotiated for space near LIRR yards in western Queens, owing to these yards' proximity to the bridge.<ref name="nyt-1916-10-15" /> === Influence and media === ''Railway Age'' wrote in 1955 that the Hell Gate Bridge had signified "the advent of steel arch construction" for railroad bridges.<ref name="p882943572">{{cite magazine |date=September 24, 1956 |title=A Look Back: Structures... |magazine=Railway Age |page=270 |volume=141 |issue=13 |id={{ProQuest|882943572}}}}</ref> Its design influenced the designs of others around the world.<ref name="Healy 2016 i391" /> The [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] in Sydney, Australia, was heavily influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge.<ref name="Barron 2017 y521" /><ref name="Willis 2016 r224" /> The engineer in charge of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, [[John Bradfield (engineer)|John Bradfield]], had surveyed the Hell Gate Bridge while trying to come up with designs for the Sydney crossing.<ref name="Willis 2016 r224">{{cite web |last=Willis |first=Charlotte |date=March 13, 2016 |title=Surprising history behind this bridge |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/north-america/the-surprising-history-behind-the-sister-of-sydneys-harbour-bridge/news-story/4fdbc28ee37616540c4935ec349d5e12 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> The design of the [[Tyne Bridge]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England, was derived from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and, by extension, the Hell Gate Bridge.<ref name="synHarbNewcTyneBridge" /><ref name="Willis 2016 r224" /> The [[McKees Rocks Bridge]] near [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, was also modeled on the Hell Gate Bridge.<ref name="Bohnel 2024 a407">{{cite web |last=Bohnel |first=Steve |date=January 18, 2024 |title=State, local officials announce $132 million for repairs to three Pittsburgh bridges |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2024/01/18/fort-duquesne-west-end-mckees-rocks-bridges/stories/202401180089 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref> When the bridge was completed, the architect [[Hugh Ferriss]] drew a cover for the [[Queens Chamber of Commerce]]'s monthly magazine ''Queensborough'', which depicted the main span.<ref name="n142522256" /> The main span was depicted in movies such as the 1973 film ''[[Serpico]]''<ref name="Boone 2017 p371">{{cite web |last=Boone |first=Ruschell |date=March 1, 2017 |title=Hell Gate Bridge's Centennial Has Strong Astoria Connection |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/news/2017/03/1/hell-gate-bridge-centennial |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com}}</ref> and the 1991 film ''[[Queens Logic]]'',<ref name="Boone 2017 p371" /><ref name="Spagnuolo 2015 c574">{{cite web |last=Spagnuolo |first=Christine |date=June 24, 2015 |title='QUEENS LOGIC' |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/queens-logic/article_201c1b9a-287a-5f6c-9dc6-7c6c320d5407.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Queens Chronicle}}</ref> as well as TV shows such as ''[[Orange Is the New Black]]''.<ref name="McRae 2014 x364">{{cite web |last=McRae |first=Tess |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Visit locations from your favorite TV shows |url=https://www.qchron.com/qboro/stories/visit-locations-from-your-favorite-tv-shows/article_1ef2bb7c-259c-5940-92de-c459077965ed.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Queens Chronicle}}</ref> The bridge's name inspired the name of the 2000 film ''Under Hellgate Bridge'' by [[Michael Sergio]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=May 11, 2001 |title=Film in Review; 'Under Hellgate Bridge' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/11/movies/film-in-review-under-hellgate-bridge.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In addition, the bridge has inspired works of art such as ''Hell Gate'', a {{convert|28|ft|m|-long|adj=mid}} model of the main span by the artist [[Chris Burden]].<ref name="Haithman 2007 h475">{{cite web |last=Haithman |first=Diane |date=April 1, 2007 |title=Yes, this 'Hell Gate' is smaller, but it's not small |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-01-ca-hell1-story.html |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The [[New York Botanical Garden]]'s annual Christmas train show also includes a replica of the Hell Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kissel |first=Howard |date=December 8, 2000 |title=Engineering a mini-miracle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-engineering-a-mini-miracle/142955356/ |access-date=March 8, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=854}}</ref> The [[Worker cooperative|cooperatively-owned]] local news site ''[[Hell Gate NYC]]'' takes its name and visual identity from the bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tameez |first=Hanaa' |date=September 6, 2022 |title='We can't just cover the same old shit': How worker-owned Hell Gate is bringing the alt-weekly voice back to New York City |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/09/we-cant-just-cover-the-same-old-shit-how-worker-owned-hell-gate-is-bringing-the-alt-weekly-voice-back-to-new-york-city/ |access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=Nieman Lab}}</ref>
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