Editing Manhattan Bridge (section)

=== 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>