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Hell Gate Bridge
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==== Arch plan ==== The PRR hired New York City bridge commissioner [[Gustav Lindenthal]] as its consulting structural engineer in 1904.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 6" /> To avoid hospitals on Wards Island, the viaduct needed to curve north immediately upon reaching Wards Island;<ref name="Ammann p. 1668">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1668}}</ref> this ruled out the original cantilever design, which required a straight "anchor span".<ref name="RAG1914 p. 890">{{harvnb|Railway Age Gazette|1914|ps=.|page=890}}</ref><ref name="p502726608">{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1915 |title=Biggest Bridge in World.: Three and a Half Miles in All, It Will Have Over Hell Gate the Lonest Steel Arch in the World, 1149 Feet Long and 135 Feet Above the Waterβtwo Other Bridges and Four Viaducts Will Connect Long Island With the Mainland |work=Boston Daily Globe |page=32 |id={{ProQuest|502726608}}}}</ref> Instead, Lindenthal first considered a continuous [[truss bridge]], a suspension bridge, and a cantilever bridge across Hell Gate.<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 6" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1663">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1663}}</ref> After rejecting all three designs, Lindenthal studied designs for a spandrel arch and a cantilever arch,<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 6" /><ref name="Ammann p. 1669">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1669}}</ref> both of which would be cheaper than either the suspension or cantilever proposals.<ref name="Ammann p. 1668" /> The crescent-arch design would be thicker at its crown than at either end, while the spandrel-arch design would be thicker at its ends than at the crown.<ref name="Ammann p. 1669" /><ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 pp. 6β7" /> Although the crescent-arch design required less steel, Lindenthal liked the design of the spandrel arch because it appeared sturdier and because it complemented his designs for masonry towers at either end.<ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 pp. 6β7">{{harvnb|Thrall|Billington|2008|ps=.|pages=6β7}}</ref> Ultimately, he chose a modified form of the spandrel-arch design.<ref name="In 2024 q032" /><ref name="Thrall Billington 2008 p. 7">{{harvnb|Thrall|Billington|2008|ps=.|page=7}}</ref> His assistant [[Othmar Ammann]] wrote that the arch design would allow the bridge to serve as a figurative portal to the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]].<ref>{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1664}}</ref> In early 1905, the PRR sent engineers and workers to make [[Boring (earth)|borings]] for the bridge's foundation in Astoria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1905 |title=P. R. R. Pushing Bridge Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-pushing-bridge/142106393/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=5 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-pushing-bridge/142106393/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Work on the bridge's [[superstructure]] was delayed because the [[New York City Board of Aldermen]] would not approve several aspects of the franchise,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 11, 1905 |title=End Aldermen's Hold on Franchise Rights; Senate Passes Bill Giving Board of Estimate New Power. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/11/archives/end-aldermens-hold-on-franchise-rights-senate-passes-bill-giving.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003955/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/11/archives/end-aldermens-hold-on-franchise-rights-senate-passes-bill-giving.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=April 11, 1905 |title=Aldermen Still Hold Up Connecting R. R. Franchise |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-aldermen-still/142094937/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=13 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-aldermen-still/142094937/ |url-status=live}}</ref> prompting an unsuccessful proposal to remove the aldermen's ability to grant franchises.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1905 |title=Ask Governor to Save Powers of Aldermen; Lawyers for Board and Citizens Denounce Franchise Shift |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/05/26/archives/ask-governor-to-save-powers-of-aldermen-lawyers-for-board-and.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003956/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/05/26/archives/ask-governor-to-save-powers-of-aldermen-lawyers-for-board-and.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=May 26, 1905 |title=Talk of Veto for Aldermen Bill |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-talk-of-veto-for-alde/142104709/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=3 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-talk-of-veto-for-alde/142104709/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Among other things, the aldermen wanted trains on the bridge to use electric power exclusively, provide space for vehicles and pedestrians, and the city to be allowed to add utility wires to the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 17, 1905 |title=Again Asks Franchise: Connecting Railway Renews Application to Rapid Transit Commission |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|571703067}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 17, 1905 |title=Connecting R. R. Fight Before R. T. Commission |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-connecting-r-r-fi/142154279/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=7 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-connecting-r-r-fi/142154279/ |url-status=live}}</ref> New York Governor [[Frank W. Higgins]] signed a bill in mid-1905, allowing the start of construction to be postponed by several months.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 1905 |title=N. Y. C. R. R. Bills Signed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-n-y-c-r-r-bill/142094562/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004000/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-n-y-c-r-r-bill/142094562/ |url-status=live}}</ref> That November, the NYCR asked the Rapid Transit Commission to renew its application for a franchise, citing delays from the Board of Aldermen. The negotiations over the franchise sometimes turned contentious,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 23, 1906 |title=Mayor a Bit Peppery: "the Grip," Says Orr Lively Tilt Over Terms to Connecting Railroad |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|571688286}}}}</ref> but the PRR ultimately was promised a franchise from the city in December 1906.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1906 |title=P. R. R. Gets Franchise |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-gets-franchise/142116665/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=1 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030240/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-gets-franchise/142116665/ |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=December 22, 1906 |title=Connecting R. R. Is Assured |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-connecting-r-r-is-assured/142116886/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-connecting-r-r-is-assured/142116886/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By then, the bridge was planned to fit four tracks, though only two would be used initially.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1906 |title=Connecting Road Means Much to Two Boroughs |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-connecting-road/142117042/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=36 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-connecting-road/142117042/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The original two-track plan had been changed after the architects found that the cost of converting a two-track bridge to four tracks would be much higher than the upfront cost of a four-track bridge.<ref name="Ammann p. 1656">{{harvnb|Ammann|1918|ps=.|page=1656}}</ref> The [[New York City Board of Estimate]] approved the NYCR's franchise in February 1907.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 16, 1907 |title=Franchise for Connecting Railway. |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129077503}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 14, 1907 |title=To Get Its Franchise |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-get-its-franchise/142153883/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=9 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191125/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-get-its-franchise/142153883/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Rea submitted plans for the arch bridge in May 1907 to the city's [[Municipal Art Commission]].<ref name="n142151359">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1907 |title=World Record Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-world-record-bridge/142151359/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=1 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-world-record-bridge/142151359/ |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=May 23, 1907 |title=New York Connecting Railroad Bridge to Be Longest in World |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-york-connec/142151078/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=25 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-york-connec/142151078/ |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=May 26, 1907 |title=Plans to Span Hell Gate.: Rea Submits Design for World's Longest Steel Bridge. |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=E1 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|144742323}}}}</ref> The arch would have a [[clear span]] of {{Convert|1000|ft}}, the longest of its kind in the world, and would carry two passenger tracks and two freight tracks. The remainder of the bridge would be a viaduct made of reinforced concrete and steel plate girders.<ref name="n142151359" /><ref name="p866183708">{{Cite magazine |date=May 31, 1907 |title=Proposed East River Bridge; New York Connecting Railroad |magazine=Railroad Gazette |page=750 |volume=42 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|866183708}}}}</ref> The plans were drawn up by consulting engineer [[Gustav Lindenthal]] and architects [[Palmer and Hornbostel]].<ref name="p866183708" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Mills |first=William Wirt |url=https://archive.org/stream/pennsylvaniarail00mill/pennsylvaniarail00mill_djvu.txt |title=Pennsylvania Railroad tunnels and terminals in New York City |date=1908 |publisher=Moses King |access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> That June, the Rapid Transit Commission voted to amend the NYCR's franchise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 1907 |title=Expect Too Much of Utilities Board; Expert Says People Mustn't Look for Transit Improvement for Months |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/06/23/archives/expect-too-much-of-utilities-board-expert-says-people-mustnt-look.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191116/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/06/23/archives/expect-too-much-of-utilities-board-expert-says-people-mustnt-look.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=June 23, 1907 |title=Wants to Bridge Upper East River |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-wants-to-bridge-upper-e/142149600/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |pages=16 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-wants-to-bridge-upper-e/142149600/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The franchise allowed the NYCR to construct a viaduct across Wards Island, placing the railroad in possible conflict with the [[New York State Hospital Commission]], which had leased the island from the city,<ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 1909 |title=Wards Island Right of Way.: Connecting Railroad's Franchise Seems in Conflict With Lease for the State Hospital. |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129229094}}}}</ref> although the hospital commission ultimately did allow engineers to survey the island.<ref name="n142379738">{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1912 |title=N. Y. Connecting R. R. May Be Held Up by Injunction |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-n-y-connectin/142379738/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |pages=3 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192715/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-n-y-connectin/142379738/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Municipal Art Commission rejected the original bridge plans in July 1907 as "not artistic".<ref>{{cite web |date=July 29, 1907 |title=Turn Down Bridge Plan of Connecting Railroad |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-turn-down-bridg/142169900/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |page=6 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226220222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-turn-down-bridg/142169900/ |url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |date=July 29, 1907 |title=Bridge Plans Not Artistic |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-bridge-plans-not-artistic/142169920/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=3 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226220222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-bridge-plans-not-artistic/142169920/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
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