New York City Bridge Centennial Commission And Newtown Creek Alliance To Host Walking Tour Over Hunters Point Avenue Bridge Morning Of December 11th
The New York City Bridge Centennial Commission (NYC BCC) and Newtown Creek Alliance announced today that they will sponsor a free walking tour of the Hunters Point Avenue Bridge in Long Island City on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11 a.m. to celebrate its 100th birthday.
“It’s important to celebrate these milestones as a way to show how much we rely on all these crossings in our day-to-day lives,” said NYC BCC President Sam Schwartz.
The original Hunters Point Avenue Bridge dates back to 1874 when the bridge was a wooden structure. From 1874 to 1907 an iron bridge was in place before being replaced in 1910 by a double-leaf bascule bridge. It was again rebuilt in the early 1980s as a single-leaf bascule bridge. Bascule bridges are designed with a counterweight that balances the span as it swings upward (a single leaf lifts up from one end while a double leaf lifts up from both sides in the middle of the span).
The bridge is located between 27th and 30th streets in Long Island City and is situated four blocks east of the Borden Avenue Bridge. The span is 21.8 meters long and has two lanes, one in each direction. It has experienced higher traffic volumes over the last year and a half while the Borden Avenue Bridge has been closed for construction in this heavily industrialized area.
The meeting point for the tour will be at Hunters Point Avenue at 21st Street outside the 7 train station. If you would like to participate, please email tour guide Bernie Ente at .
About the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission
The NYC Bridge Centennial Commission is a 501 c 3 non-profit comprised of public and private organizations to commemorate the centennials of several NYC bridges and raise infrastructure awareness.
About the Newtown Creek Alliance
The Newtown Creek Alliance represents interests of community residents and local businesses who are dedicated to restoring community health and vibrant water dependent commerce along Newtown Creek.
