Editing Manhattan Bridge (section)

=== 1920s to 1940s ===
[[File:Pike and Henry Streets, Manhattan (NYPL b13668355-482679).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|View down [[Pike Street (New York City)|Pike Street]] toward the Manhattan Bridge, 1936, photograph by [[Berenice Abbott]]]]

During late 1920, the bridge's roadway was used as a [[reversible lane]] between 7 am and 7 pm each day;<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1920 |title=City Bus Service Stops Tonight; New Rules for Bridges |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-city-bus-servic/138670048/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=1}}</ref> this restriction caused heavy congestion.<ref name="n138664191">{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1920 |title=One-Way Traffic Will Continue on Bridges Despite Jam |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-one-way-traffic-will-co/138664191/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=4}}</ref><ref name="n138665132">{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1920 |title=Brooklyn Bridge Badly Overloaded, Engineer Asserts |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-bridge/138665132/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=2}}</ref> [[Grover Whalen]], the commissioner of Plant and Structures, announced that September that he would request funding to repaint the bridge.<ref name="n138665132" /> The span was repainted during the next year at a cost of $240,000.<ref name="n138665835">{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1921 |title=Quite a Job to Paint Manhattan Bridge Like New |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-quite-a-job-to-paint-manhatta/138665835/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=11}}</ref> Meanwhile, the bridge was carrying 27,000 daily vehicles by the early 1920s,<ref name="n138674492">{{Cite news |last=Hurley |first=William I. |date=June 18, 1922 |title=Keeping Up With the Town |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-keeping-up-with-the-town/138674492/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=15}}</ref> and one traffic judge said the lower deck was too narrow to accommodate the increasing traffic levels on the bridge.<ref name="n138674750">{{Cite news |last=Fish |first=Lawrence C. |date=March 6, 1921 |title=Brooklyn Traffic Court Magistrate Starting a 'Safety First' Campaign |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-brooklyn-traffi/138674750/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=61}}</ref> In March 1922, the city government started constructing the eastern upper-deck roadway at a cost of $300,000.<ref name="n138674244">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1922 |title=Hylan Opens New Bridge Roadway |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-hylan-opens-new-bridge-roadw/138674244/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=6 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 16, 1922 |title=$300,000 Roadway on Manhattan Bridge Put in Operation |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-300000-roadway-on/138674305/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=2}}</ref> The roadway opened that June.<ref name="n138674244" /><ref name="The New York Times 1922">{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1922/06/16/109843042.pdf |title=New Roadway Opened on Manhattan Bridge – Mayor and Other City Officials Attend Event—Only Passenger Cars Allowed |date=June 16, 1922 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> The next month, Whalen banned horse-drawn vehicles from the Manhattan Bridge and motor vehicles from the Brooklyn Bridge. The upper roadway of the Manhattan Bridge was converted to a reversible lane, while the lower roadway carried two-way traffic at all times.<ref name="nyt-1922-07-07">{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1922 |title=Brooklyn Bridge Closed to Motor Traffic, Manhattan Bridge to Horse-Drawn Vehicles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/07/07/archives/brooklyn-bridge-closed-to-motor-traffic-manhattan-bridge-to.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Peck |first=Robert B. |date=July 7, 1922 |title=Autos Banished, Brooklyn Bridge Made Horse Haven |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-autos-banished-brookly/138674963/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 9, 1922 |title=Part of Load Lifted from Old Bridge—Is Span in Its Dotage? |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-part-of-load-li/138672075/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=24}}</ref> Whalen said the restriction would allow both levels to be used to their full capacity;<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1922 |title=Bars Mail Motors on Brooklyn Bridge; Postmaster Burton's Plea for an Exception to New Rule Is Denied. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/07/09/archives/bars-mail-motors-on-brooklyn-bridge-postmaster-burtons-plea-for-an.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> the decision ended up placing additional loads on the  bridge.<ref name="n138680819">{{Cite news |date=September 21, 1924 |title=Manhattan Bridge Carrying Too Much Weight, Is Report; Need for Quick Relief Seen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138680819/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=9}}</ref>

To reduce congestion at the Manhattan end, [[Left- and right-hand traffic|left-hand traffic]] was implemented on the lower level during the 1920s, as most vehicles heading into Manhattan turned left at the end of the bridge.<ref name="n138680473">{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1923 |title=Some Questions Answered by the Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-some-questions/138680473/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=39}}</ref> Motorists continued to use the Manhattan Bridge even after the Brooklyn Bridge reopened to motorists in 1925, contributing to heavy congestion during rush hours.<ref name="p1113175935a">{{cite news |date=June 14, 1925 |title=Police Calling for Autoists To Utilize Brooklyn Bridge: Traffic Congestion Is Terrific at Manhattan Span, While Other Structure Is Deserted; Signs To Be Posted as Guides to Travel |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |page=G11 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113175935}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 16, 1925 |title=Motorists Urged to Use Old Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-motorists-urged-to-us/138682052/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=8}}</ref> At the time, the Brooklyn Bridge carried 10,000 vehicles a day (in part due to its low speed limit), while the Manhattan Bridge carried 60,000 vehicles daily.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 27, 1925 |title=Says Low-Speed Law Clogs Bridge Traffic; Mills Wants Limit on Brooklyn Span Raised From Eight to Fifteen Miles an Hour. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/27/archives/says-lowspeed-law-clogs-bridge-traffic-mills-wants-limit-on.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> When the lower level was repaved in early 1927, Manhattan-bound traffic was temporarily banned from the lower level at night.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1927 |title=One Way Traffic on Bridge; New York Bound Cars Barred From Manhattan Span Pending Paving. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/01/11/archives/one-way-traffic-on-bridge-new-york-bound-cars-barred-from-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 11, 1927 |title=Can't Drive at Night Over Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-cant-drive-at-night/138685894/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1}}</ref> That October, Brooklyn borough president [[James J. Byrne]] proposed replacing the Three Cent Line's trolley tracks with a roadway; he estimated that it would cost $9 million to construct a brand-new roadway, while converting the trolley tracks would cost only $600,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 1927 |title=Favors Buying Trolley; Byrne Urges Acceptance of Manhattan Bridge Line's Offer. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/10/25/archives/favors-buying-trolley-byrne-urges-acceptance-of-manhattan-bridge.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 18, 1927 |title=Byrne Wants City to Buy 3-Cent Line |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-byrne-wants-city-to-buy-3-ce/138686887/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=31}}</ref> The comptroller approved the plan in September 1928,<ref name="n138720898">{{cite news |date=September 15, 1928 |title=Bridge Trolley Line Scrapping Urged by Berry: Comptroller Urges Purchase by City to Clear Traffic Jam on Manhattan Span |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113578973}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 15, 1928 |title=Boro Victory Seen in Berry Bridge Plan |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-boro-victory-seen-i/138720898/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 14, 1928 |title=Berry Approves New Bridge Lanes |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-berry-approves-new-bridge-la/138721345/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=1}}</ref> and the city formally voted to buy the Three Cent Line for just over $200,000 the following month.<ref name="The New York Times 1929 t828">{{cite web |date=March 12, 1929 |title=Approves Purchase of Bridge Trolley; City Will Raze Manhattan Span Line to Make Room for More Traffic Lanes. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/03/12/archives/approves-purchase-of-bridge-trolley-city-will-raze-manhattan-span.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 12, 1929 |title=3-Cent Bridge Line Is Bought by City |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-3-cent-bridge-line-is-bought/138722610/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=50}}</ref> The Three Cent Line was discontinued in November 1929.<ref name="p1111747012">{{cite news |date=November 14, 1929 |title=Manhattan Bridge Line Runs |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=25 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1111747012}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 14, 1929 |title=Three-Cent Trolleys Make Last Manhattan Bridge Trip |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/11/14/archives/threecent-trolleys-make-last-manhattan-bridge-trip.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The Three Cent Line tracks were replaced by the western upper-deck roadway.<ref name="p1114109302">{{cite news |date=June 19, 1931 |title=Walker Opens Traffic Lane on Manhattan Span: New Roadway to Brooklyn Expected to Carry 30,000 Automobiles Daily Parade First to Cross Kings County Hails Link at Luncheon of 1,500 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114109302}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 18, 1931 |title=New Bridge LInk Affords Much-Needed Traffic Relief |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-bridge-link-affor/138724308/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=12}}</ref> Initially scheduled to be completed by July 1930,<ref name="n138725636">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1930 |title=Manhattan Bridge Roadway Will Be Ready by Summer |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-manhattan-bridge-roadway-wil/138725636/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=20}}</ref> the roadway ultimately opened in June 1931 and carried Brooklyn-bound traffic.<ref name="p1114109302" /><ref name="nyt-1931-06-19">{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1931 |title=Upper Deck Opened on Manhattan Span; The Mayor Opening a New Roadway to Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/19/archives/upper-deck-opened-on-manhattan-span-the-mayor-opening-a-new-roadway.html |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US}}</ref> The eastern upper-deck roadway was converted to carry Manhattan-bound traffic,<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /> and the center roadway was turned into a lane for buses and trucks.<ref name="p1114107738">{{cite news |date=June 15, 1931 |title=Manhattan Bridge Roadway For Light Cars Completed: Goldman Announces Opening of New $800,000 Lane Thursday New Traffic Lane to Brooklyn Is Ready |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114107738}}}}</ref> At the time, nearly 65,000 vehicles used the bridge every day, of which nearly a quarter were buses and trucks.<ref name="nyt-1931-06-19" /> A set of 119 streetlights were installed on the upper level the following year.<ref name="The New York Times 1932 f256">{{cite web |date=June 21, 1932 |title=New Bridge Lights On; Illumination Doubled In Roadways of Manhattan Span. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/06/21/archives/new-bridge-lights-on-illumination-doubled-in-roadways-of-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> To increase traffic flow, both upper roadways were temporarily converted to reversible lanes during rush hours in 1934;<ref name="The New York Times 1934 j783">{{cite web |date=September 25, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge Traffic Speeded by New Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/09/25/archives/manhattan-bridge-traffic-speeded-by-new-rules.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 25, 1934 |title=Traffic Speeded by One-Third on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-traffic-speeded-by-one-third/138725121/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=89}}</ref> the lower roadway was repaired,<ref name="p1242981411">{{cite news |date=September 10, 1934 |title=Warped Pavement Cuts Manhattan Bridge Traffic: Rains Buckle Wooden Blocks Alons Entire Main Roadway |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242981411}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 10, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge Repairs Speeded |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-manhattan-bridg/138725262/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=4}}</ref> and the bridge was repainted the same year.<ref name="n138727466">{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1934 |title=Manhattan Span Perfectly Safe, Kracke Reports |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-span-perfectly-safe/138727466/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=241}}</ref> The city's commissioner of plant and structures also requested $725,000 in federal funds for various repairs.<ref name="The New York Times 1934 v371">{{cite web |date=December 31, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge 25 Years Old Today; Mayor to Mark Anniversary by Speeches at Span, Which Is the City's Busiest. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/12/31/archives/manhattan-bridge-25-years-old-today-mayor-to-mark-anniversary-by.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 30, 1934 |title=Manhattan Bridge 25 Years Old |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-25-years-old/138727586/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=53}}</ref> During 1937, the city awarded a contract to repair the bridge's steelwork<ref name="The New York Times 1937 y044">{{cite web |date=April 7, 1937 |title=Bridge Bids Submitted; $279,700 Figure Is Low One for Altering Manhattan Span |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/07/archives/bridge-bids-submitted-279700-figure-is-low-one-for-altering.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and raised the railings on the upper roadways.<ref name="The New York Times 1937 a974">{{cite web |date=April 22, 1937 |title=Bridge Is Made Safer; 21-Inch Curbing Is Installed on Manhattan Structure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/22/archives/bridge-is-made-safer-21inch-curbing-is-installed-on-manhattan.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1937 |title=New Manhattan Bridge Curb Expected to Cut Accidents |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-manhattan-b/138734643/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=7 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1937 |title=Raise Parapet on Manhattan Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-raise-parapet-on-manhattan-bra/138734363/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=344}}</ref> The city government announced in 1938 that it would replace the lower deck's wooden pavement with a steel-and-concrete pavement;<ref name="The New York Times 1938 g380">{{cite web |date=March 27, 1938 |title=Manhattan Bridge to Get New Lane; Steel and Concrete Structure on Lower Deck of Span Will Cost $750,000 Work on Supports to Continue Special Appropriation to Be Ready |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/27/archives/manhattan-bridge-to-get-new-lane-steel-and-concrete-structure-on.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the repaving was completed that December.<ref name="The New York Times 1938 f372">{{cite web |date=December 5, 1938 |title=BridgeRoadwayFinished; Traffic Not Interrupted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/12/05/archives/bridgeroadwayfinished-traffic-not-interrupted.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 5, 1938 |title=Non-Skid Road Laid on Manhattan Bridge Without Hindering Traffic |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-non-skid-road-l/138735383/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=8}}</ref> Simultaneously, the railings on the upper roadways were raised again.<ref name="n138735604">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1938 |title=Speed Repair of Manhattan Bridge Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-speed-repair-of-manhattan-bri/138735604/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=126}}</ref>

[[File:NYC Manhattan 1938 Franz Grasser.jpg|thumb|upright|View from the Manhattan Bridge toward Lower Manhattan in 1938]]

As part of a [[Works Progress Administration]] project, a ramp at the Brooklyn end of the bridge was widened in 1941, replacing a dangerous [[reverse curve]].<ref name="The New York Times 1941 u897">{{cite web |date=August 17, 1941 |title=To Eliminate Bridge Bottleneck; WPA Will Improve East End of Manhattan Span – Other Street Work |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/08/17/archives/to-eliminate-bridge-bottleneck-wpa-will-improve-east-end-of.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 31, 1941 |title=Start of Traffic Improvement on Manhattan Bridge |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=32 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1320057002}}}}</ref><ref name="n138740226">{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1941 |title=Manhattan Bridge Exit to Be Wider |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-manhattan-bridge-exit-to-be-w/138740226/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251  |pages=610}}</ref> By then, 90,000 vehicles a day used the span.<ref name="n138740226" /> An [[air raid siren]] was also installed on the bridge during World War II.<ref name="The New York Times 1942 t962">{{cite web |date=March 5, 1942 |title=New Air Raid Siren Does Best Job Yet; Experimental Device, Sounded From Manhattan Bridge, Is Heard Below Canal St. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/03/05/archives/new-air-raid-siren-does-best-job-yet-experimental-device-sounded.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 5, 1942 |title=City's Newest Siren Loud Enough But Some Think It Boat or Shop |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1264963711}}}}</ref> By the mid-1940s, the Brooklyn approach to the bridge was one of the most congested areas in New York City.<ref name="The New York Times 1946 v190">{{cite web |date=April 5, 1946 |title=Use Brooklyn Bridge, Autoists Are Urged |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/05/archives/use-brooklyn-bridge-autoists-are-urged.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>