The Bridge of Dreams

In 2005, I had the opportunity to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and I quickly realized that it was more than just a bridge. It was a tremendous architectural success and I began to wonder about its history and the impact that this bridge would have had on average New Yorkers. I decided to do some research and this is what I discovered.
The concept for the Brooklyn Bridge arose in the early nineteenth century when New Yorkers began dreaming of a bridge to connect them with America, no one imagined the spectacle it would become. With its mixture of neo-gothic towers, steal spans and cables, Brooklyn Bridge has stood between the shores of the East River for over a hundred and twenty five years.
The construction of the Bridge was indeed a triumph of design and skill. At a time when one in every five bridges collapsed, Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Its granite towers were the largest structures ever built on the North American continent. Its construction was sought with many challenges and came at high finial and human cost. In order to construct the base of the bridge workers were lowered in Caissons, which were large wooden chambers that acted much like a cup flipped upside down and placed in water. The caissons were pressurized and kept the water out so workers could dig on the bed rock of the East River and lay the foundations for the Bridge. Many fell ill and died from what came to be known as Caissons Disease caused by ascending too rapidly from a place of high pressure, today this is commonly known as the Bends. Workers would have suffered from violent cramps, dizziness, vomiting, migraines, extreme fatigue, loss of sight and the loss of feeling in both arms and legs. With the caissons and other dangers of the job the bridge would claim approximately twenty seven lives, including its creator John Roebling.
After fourteen years of waiting and costing an astounding $14 million dollars, New Yorkers celebrated its opening day on May 24, 1883. This event drew close to 150,000 people who waited through the speeches so they may pay the one cent toll to cross the bridge for the first time.
No one could have predicted the tremendous impact of the Brooklyn Bridge for New Yorkers at the turn of the twenty first century. Connecting the island of New York with the main land alleviated much of the overcrowding in the city, greatly enhancing the lives of average New Yorkers. Workers could now find affordable and spacious living conditions in Brooklyn while still retaining their jobs in the city.
The Brooklyn Bridge is still open to pedestrians today, so if you are ever in New York City take some time to cross this bridge and experience its rich history.