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$5 Million Brooklyn Pedestrian Bridge Closed, Now Under "Intensive Monitoring"
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 8, 2014
Modified Sep 8, 2014
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 8, 2014
Modified Sep 8, 2014
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LIES. (Photo by Jen Carlson/Gothamist)
It has been at least one month since Squibb Park Pedestrian Bridge was last open to the public, with no word on when it will reopen. This is peak season for the bridge, which serves as an alternative, more scenic route to and from Brooklyn Bridge Park's many piers—essentially connecting the park to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade area. So it has been a little odd that it's been closed during the peak season of use, but we suspected last month that the closure may have been caused by the overuse.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation has mostly deflected blame on the Pierhouse condos—which are being built on either side of the bridge—and previously told us that "We have needed to close the bridge intermittently due to construction of Pierhouse. This last week represented one of the final stages of the SOE (support of excavation) process around the main bridge columns." However, prior to its closure we noticed it felt less structurally stable, so we pressed for more on the reason for closure as weeks passed and it remained closed.
In mid-August, the BBPC admitted to us that "warping happens from time to time due to use and temp fluctuations and requires the re-adjustment of cable tensions. Our bridge engineers are on site this week making those adjustments. The bridge should be open again early next week." However, by the end of August it was still not open, and it remains closed to this day.
So what's up? Today, a spokesperson for the BBPC admitted that the bridge, which cost $5 million and opened in March of 2013, was being monitored after engineers noticed something was wrong. Belinda Cape told us:
"Warping of the bridge is expected from time to time due to use and temp fluctuations and requires the re-adjustment of cable tensions. During the most recent adjustments last month, our bridge engineers registered greater movement than usual at one of the spans. The bridge was closed in order to conduct more intensive monitoring, as well as find the cause for this movement. We expect necessary adjustments to be made and the bridge to reopen in the next 2-3 weeks."
The bridge, which was designed to bounce when being walked upon, was designed by engineer (and 2009 MacArthur Genius award winner) Ted Zoli, who told the NY Times when the bridge opened that black locust timber was used—“It’s a species that was originally used for ships’ masts hundreds of years ago. It’s a naturally rot-resistant hardwood and unusually strong.”
Until the bridge reopens, pedestrians entering and exiting the park will be forced to walk around through Fulton Ferry, which, as we demonstrated earlier, is actually a slightly faster route.
We miss you, bridge. (Photo by Jen Carlson/Gothamist)
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squibb park pedestrian bridge
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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