Hell Gate Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:	Hell Gate Bridge
Carries:	Northeast Corridor and New York Connecting Railroad
Crosses:	Hell Gate, Little Hell Gate, Bronx Kill
Locale:	New York City; (Queens, Randall's and Wards Islands, and the Bronx)
Mapframe-Zoom:	13
Owner:	Amtrak
Maint:	Amtrak
Architect:	Henry Hornbostel
Designer:	Gustav Lindenthal
Material:	Steel
Length:	(including approaches)
Num Track:	3
Structure Gauge:	AAR
Electrification:	12.5 kV 60 Hz AC catenary (Northeast Corridor only)
Builder:	American Bridge Company
Fabricator:	American Bridge Company
Begin:	1912
Complete:	1916

The Hell Gate Bridge (originally the New York Connecting Railroad Bridge) is a railroad bridge in New York City, New York, United States. The bridge carries two tracks of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and one freight track between Astoria, Queens, and Port Morris, Bronx, via Randalls and Wards Islands. Its main span is a 10170NaN0 steel through arch across Hell Gate, a strait of the East River that separates Wards Island from Queens. The bridge also includes several approach viaducts and two spans across smaller waterways. Including approaches, the bridge is long. It is one of the few rail connections from Long Island, of which Queens is part, to the rest of the United States.

The New York Connecting Railroad (NYCR) was formed in 1892 to build the bridge, linking New York and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) with New England and the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad (NH). A cantilever bridge across Hell Gate was proposed in 1900, but the plan was changed to a through-arch bridge after repeated delays. Construction was overseen by the engineers Gustav Lindenthal, Othmar Ammann, and David B. Steinman and architect Henry Hornbostel. The bridge was dedicated on March 9, 1917, and was the world's longest steel arch bridge until the Bayonne Bridge opened in 1931. Various proposals to modify the bridge in the 1920s were unsuccessful. The bridge was renovated in the 1990s following three decades of deterioration.

The main span is a two-hinged arch flanked by stone towers on either bank of Hell Gate. Northwest of the Hell Gate span, the viaduct is carried on plate-girder spans along the east side of Wards and Randalls Islands. A four-span inverted bowstring truss bridge, measuring, carries the railroad tracks across Little Hell Gate, a former stream between Randalls and Wards Islands. Further north is a 350feet, two-span truss bridge across Bronx Kill, a small strait separating Randalls Island from the Bronx. There are also steel-and-concrete approach viaducts in the Bronx and Queens. In addition to the three existing tracks on the bridge, there was a fourth track used by freight trains until the 1970s. The passenger tracks have been electrified since 1918, and the freight tracks also had electrification from 1927 to 1969. The Hell Gate Bridge's design inspired that of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the bridge has received commentary both for its design and its impact on Long Island's commerce.

Development

Planning

At the end of the 19th century, there was no direct rail connection between New England and New Jersey,^[1] nor between Long Island and the rest of the continental United States.^[2] Trains traveling between any of these locations had to use barges, which traversed New York City's congested waterways. This spurred efforts to link the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), which operated to New Jersey and other states, with the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad (New Haven; NH), which operated to New England. At the time, the NH had a freight terminal in Port Morris, Bronx, where car floats transported railroad cars down the East River to Manhattan or New Jersey. Although the PRR's North River Tunnels and East River Tunnels (completed in 1910^[3]) allowed passenger trains to travel between Long Island and New Jersey, no railroad line yet existed between Long Island and New England.^[4] Passengers traveling along the modern-day Northeast Corridor had to take a ferry from New Jersey and walk across Manhattan to Grand Central Terminal, or vice versa, to continue their journey.^[5]

1890s progress

The New York Connecting Railroad (NYCR), headed by Oliver W. Barnes, was incorporated in April 1892 to build the bridge.^[6] Throughout the 1890s, the New York State Legislature considered various bills that would give the NYCR a franchise to construct a bridge from Long Island to the U.S. mainland, but to no avail.^[7] The NYCR planned for the bridge to carry a line from Manhattan to Brooklyn.^[8] In March 1898, U.S. representative John H. Ketcham proposed legislation to allow the NYCR to erect a bridge with two or more tracks across the Bronx Kill, Little Hell Gate, and Hell Gate waterways, connecting the Bronx (on the U.S. mainland) with Randalls Island, Wards Island, and Long Island.^{[9] [10]} Although the federal government of the United States required that the clearance below any bridge across the East River (of which the Hell Gate was part) be above mean high water, the bill permitted a bridge as low as above mean high water.

By the beginning of 1899, the NYCR had received estimates for a bridge connecting Port Morris in the Bronx, Randalls Island, Wards Islands, and Astoria in Long Island.^[11] The 800-longNaN-long, 150-highNaN-high bridge was to connect the New York Central Railroad and NH lines in the Bronx with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and South Brooklyn Railway lines on Long Island.^[12] A state senator introduced a bill in February 1899 to incorporate the Wards Island Bridge Company to construct the bridge. The following month, the NYCR's directors held a meeting with New York Central's directors about the construction of the line. The New York Central expressed interest in the planned Hell Gate Bridge, as the railroad intended to use it for both passenger and freight traffic.^[13]

Cantilever plan

The New York State Legislature passed a bill in April 1900, authorizing the NYCR to build a bridge from the Port Morris station in the Bronx to the Bushwick Junction station in Queens,^[14] and New York governor Theodore Roosevelt signed the bill the next month.^{[15] [16]} Alfred P. Boller drew up plans for a cantilever bridge. The cantilever span was to measure long, wide, and high; the project, including of approach tracks, was to cost $5.5 million.^[17] The cantilever design was selected because it was cheaper than a suspension bridge of the same length.^[18] Construction of the bridge was to have begun in September 1900 and be completed in five years.^[19] Merchants from Brooklyn supported the bridge, saying it would reduce the cost of delivering goods to that borough.^[20] The bridge would also enable passenger trains from upstate New York and New England to travel to New Jersey via the East River and North River tunnels.^{[21] [22]} Freight traffic would still be required to use car floats, as trains would not be able to fit into the tunnels; the car-float operation would be shifted south to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where trains would be floated across the New York Bay to Greenville, Jersey City.

By October 1900, grading of land for the bridge and its approach viaducts had commenced, and public hearings about the bridge were being hosted.^[23] Initially, the PRR did not intend to use the bridge, and the crossing was to connect with the trackage of the LIRR. After the PRR's acquisition of the LIRR in 1900, the PRR began contemplating taking control of the Hell Gate Bridge.^[24] Ultimately, in 1901,^[25] the PRR and NH bought the NYCR.^[26] This was part of a larger plan to improve rail infrastructure in the New York City area, including a "belt line" for freight (now the Fremont Secondary and Bay Ridge Branch), of which the bridge was to be a part.^{[27] [28]}

Work on the belt line was about to begin by early 1902, and surveys for the proposed bridge's piers had been made by the end of the year.^[29] The PRR announced in February 1903 that it would build a double-tracked cantilever bridge, and it drew up a contract to order 30500ST of steel from United States Steel.^[30] The bridge's 840feet central span would have been the world's longest cantilever span.^[31] The Port Chester Journal described the planned crossing as "an unusual bridge in point of engineering skill". The PRR requested a perpetual franchise for the bridge from the New York City Rapid Transit Commission that June.^[32] PRR vice president Samuel Rea requested in March 1904 that the Rapid Transit Commission approve the bridge and belt line, and charge the PRR rent, so work could commence as soon as possible.^[33] That June, the Rapid Transit Commission granted a perpetual franchise for the bridge and belt line to the NYCR.^{[34] [35]} The connecting railroad was to pay the New York City government a fee to cross the East River.

Arch plan

The PRR hired New York City bridge commissioner Gustav Lindenthal as its consulting structural engineer in 1904. To avoid hospitals on Wards Island, the viaduct needed to curve north immediately upon reaching Wards Island; this ruled out the original cantilever design, which required a straight "anchor span".^[36] Instead, Lindenthal first considered a continuous truss bridge, a suspension bridge, and a cantilever bridge across Hell Gate. After rejecting all three designs, Lindenthal studied designs for a spandrel arch and a cantilever arch, both of which would be cheaper than either the suspension or cantilever proposals. 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. 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. Ultimately, he chose a modified form of the spandrel-arch design. 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.

In early 1905, the PRR sent engineers and workers to make borings for the bridge's foundation in Astoria.^[37] Work on the bridge's superstructure was delayed because the New York City Board of Aldermen would not approve several aspects of the franchise,^[38] prompting an unsuccessful proposal to remove the aldermen's ability to grant franchises.^[39] 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.^[40] New York Governor Frank W. Higgins signed a bill in mid-1905, allowing the start of construction to be postponed by several months.^[41] 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,^[42] but the PRR ultimately was promised a franchise from the city in December 1906.^[43] By then, the bridge was planned to fit four tracks, though only two would be used initially.^[44] 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.

The New York City Board of Estimate approved the NYCR's franchise in February 1907.^[45] Rea submitted plans for the arch bridge in May 1907 to the city's Municipal Art Commission.^[46] The arch would have a clear span of, 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.^[47] The plans were drawn up by consulting engineer Gustav Lindenthal and architects Palmer and Hornbostel.^[48] That June, the Rapid Transit Commission voted to amend the NYCR's franchise.^[49] 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,^[50] although the hospital commission ultimately did allow engineers to survey the island.^[51] The Municipal Art Commission rejected the original bridge plans in July 1907 as "not artistic".^[52]

Land acquisition and finalization of plans

During the late 1900s, the NH and PRR acquired land for the bridge's right-of-way.^[53] The first house in the bridge's right-of-way was relocated at the beginning of 1908.^[54] The Pennsylvania Railroad announced in December 1908 that, as soon as Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan was completed, the railroad would begin constructing the bridge.^{[55] [56]} The bridge was to cost up to $20 million. By early 1909, the NH had acquired all of the necessary land for the Bronx approach, while the PRR was still acquiring land in Queens for both the passenger and freight lines. The PRR agreed to buy the last piece of land for the Queens approach that July,^[57] at which point the cost of the bridge had increased to $25 million.^[58] The NYCR's engineers prepared new plans for the main span's piers the same year.^[59] That December, the PRR and NH agreed to share the cost of the bridge's construction.^[60] The Hell Gate Bridge was to be the fifth bridge across the East River (after the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Queensboro bridges), as well as the first built by a private company rather than the city government.^[61]

By early 1910, the plans for the arch's piers were being revised,^[62] and surveyors were studying the route of the bridge and its approaches.^[63] The plans for the steelwork were revised the same year to accommodate a heavier type of trackbed. The PRR, NH, and LIRR were concurrently finalizing contracts for the construction of the NYCR line, which had commenced in mid-1910.^[64] The revised plans for the main span were not submitted to the Municipal Art Commission until early 1911,^[65] and a contract for the bridge's steel had still not been awarded.^[66] The PRR took title to the last remaining land lots in Queens in June 1911.^[67] By the end of the year, the designs for the Bronx Kill and Little Hell Gate spans were still being revised,^[68] and land condemnation for the bridge was nearly finished.^[69] Lindenthal estimated in late 1911 that the bridge would cost $18 million and be completed in 1914.^{[70] [71]} The Municipal Art Commission ultimately approved the revised plans.

Construction

Initial contracts

Excavations for the Astoria end of the main span, across Hell Gate, commenced in March 1911,^[72] and were nearly completed by the end of the year. The American Bridge Company received a contract for the steelwork on the Hell Gate span, Wards Island viaduct, and Queens approach viaduct,^[73] while the McClintic-Marshall Company was hired to manufacture steel for the other parts of the bridge.^[74] The Carnegie Steel Company was hired in early 1912 to roll the steel plates for the bridge.^[75] Later that year, Patrick Ryan, the Manhattan Bridge's main contractor, received a $2 million contract to build the bridge's foundation,^[76] while John A. Gray received a contract to complete test borings for the bridge.^[77] Masonry contracts were awarded to Patrick Ryan (who partnered with U.S. Realty to build the Hell Gate spans' towers^[78]), as well as Arthur McMullin and T. A. Gillespie.^[79] Harold W. Hudson was the chief construction engineer.^[80]

Work formally commenced on the Bronx and Queens approach viaducts in July 1912, and work on the foundations of the main span's towers began that September,^[81] though no above-ground work had commenced.^[82] By October 1912, workers were preparing to lower caissons for the main span's Wards Island tower,^[83] as the underlying layer of rock was over 100feet deep and was covered by layers of sand, coarse gravel, and boulders. Twenty-one caissons were used to excavate the Wards Island tower's foundation.^[84] The caissons were larger and deeper than those used in the construction of the tallest buildings in New York City at the time. The caisson-sinking process was further complicated by the discovery of a diagonal fissure in the underlying rock.^[85] It ultimately took seven months to sink the caissons and ensure that the tower would not be susceptible to settlement.^[86]

In November 1912, a New York Supreme Court justice enjoined the contractors from erecting abutments on Wards Island.^[87] The operators of the Manhattan Psychiatric Center claimed that patients would be disturbed by loud noises, both during construction and after the bridge opened, but the city government claimed that the hospital's lease of the island had expired.^[88] The injunction was lifted in January 1913,^[89] when the State Supreme Court ruled that the law permitting the bridge's construction overrode the law that restricted railroads above the grounds of a hospital.^[90]

Pier construction

The construction of piers on Randalls and Wards Islands and in Queens began in February 1913. Derricks were used to construct the concrete piers under the Bronx Kill, Randalls Island, Little Hell Gate, and Wards Island spans. The foundations of the Bronx Kill span's piers were constructed using caissons, since the underlying layer of rock was nearly deep. The foundations of the Little Hell Gate span's piers were built in open cofferdams due to the shallowness of that strait. The contractor built a dock on Wards Island to load and unload material. Derricks carried solid materials from the dock to a conveyor belts, which in turn led to covered storage bins, while cement was poured down a chute to a cement house next to the storage bins. Sand, stone, and cement from the bins were dumped into "charging cars" and carried to a mixing plant, where the material was mixed into concrete. Elevators were used to transport concrete to the top of each pier.

By July 1913, some of the piers and retaining walls for the Bronx and Queens viaducts had been constructed, and contractors had installed temporary plants on Randalls and Wards Islands.^[91] The next month, the PRR and NH announced that the NYCR would issue a $30 million mortgage and $11 million in bonds to fund the construction of the Hell Gate Bridge and associated lines;^[92] the railroads had spent $8.6 million to date on the bridge.^[93] The bonds were issued later that year.^[94] During a site visit in mid-1914, a local civic group noted that a temporary span had been finished across Bronx Kill and that piers were being built within the riverbed of Little Hell Gate.^[95] The main span's towers had reached the height of the deck by the end of 1914, while almost all of the other piers had been completed by then.^[96]

Steelwork and completion

Steel girders and plates for the Little Hell Gate and Bronx Kill spans were being installed by late 1914. The girders under the two center tracks were installed first. Afterward, the center tracks were laid, and a derrick car and a locomotive crane were placed on opposite spans. The derrick car delivered girders that had already been riveted together, and the locomotive crane installed the girders for the outer tracks. The arched main span above Hell Gate was technically challenging because Hell Gate was a navigable waterway, and the arch could not be constructed using falsework. Consequently, massive temporary backstays were built behind both of the Hell Gate towers to cantilever the two pieces of the arch.^[97] To accommodate the backstays, the tops of the towers and some adjacent piers could not be completed until after the Hell Gate span was finished.^[98] After the backstays were constructed, movable derricks were installed atop the backstays.

One thousand workers and 40 engineers began installing the steelwork of the arch in November 1914;^[99] many of the laborers were Mohawk Native American ironworkers from Quebec and upstate New York.^[100] Work proceeded in two sections from either shore toward the middle of Hell Gate.^[101] The main span consisted of 23 panels, which were installed by the derricks atop the backstays. The panels were composed of steel pieces that weighed as much as 185ST. The steel pieces were manufactured off-site and, at the time, were among the heaviest steel pieces ever manufactured.^[102] Each piece was delivered to the site via car floats, then transported up via derricks. To counteract sagging caused by the weight of the panels, both halves of the bridge occasionally had to be adjusted. The project as a whole was declared half-finished in July 1915. The last pieces of the lower chord were installed during the week of September 28 to October 4, 1915,^{[103] [104]} and both halves were officially joined on October 1.^[105] The gap between the two parts of the arch was just . The extreme precision was attributed to the level of detail in the engineering drawings, as well as the use of highly precise surveying tools made by the W. & L. E. Gurley Company.^[106]

The completion of the arch made the Hell Gate span the longest steel arch in the world. The hydraulic jacks were removed from the towers, and the backstays were disassembled and reused in the approach viaducts. Workers began driving 400,000 rivets into the arched span; Lindenthal claimed that they were among the largest rivets ever used. Due to cold weather, the upper chord of the arch could not be riveted together until May 1916. Locomotive cranes constructed the remaining portions of the viaducts. By mid-October 1916, the PRR and NH anticipated that passenger service would commence at the beginning of 1917.^[107] Finishing touches were placed on the bridge during late 1916.^[108] In total, the bridge cost $18.5 million. Before the bridge's official opening, police forces patrolled it to prevent sabotage during World War I.^[109]

Operational history

Opening

The first train ran across the bridge at a dedication ceremony on March 9, 1917,^{[110] [111]} on a track constructed for the occasion.^[112] The Hell Gate Bridge was not complete; workers were still laying tracks, and the line was not electrified.^[113] Intercity passenger trains began running on April 1^[114] with the rerouting of the NH's Federal Express via the bridge.^[115] The Hell Gate span was the world's longest steel arch bridge until the Bayonne Bridge, between New York and New Jersey, was completed in 1931.^{[116] [117]} Its completion enabled passengers to travel the length of the Northeast Corridor without having to transfer to a ferry. Ammann initially estimated that the bridge would be mostly used by freight trains, because capacity constraints at Pennsylvania Station limited the bridge's two passenger tracks to 80 trains a day, and because most NH trains were planned to continue running to Grand Central.

In mid-1917, NYCR applied for permission to issue $1.5 million in bonds to finish the bridge.^[118] The bridge started carrying other routes in late 1917, such as the PRR's Colonial Express, the Washington-Bar Harbor Express,^[119] and a short-lived St. Louis–Pittsburgh–Boston route.^[120] Commuter services continued to run to Grand Central Terminal.^{[121] [122]} Though the bridge only carried rail traffic when it opened, it could also be adapted for pedestrian and car traffic.^[123] By the end of 1917, all four tracks were complete,^{[124] [125]} and freight trains began running across the bridge in January 1918.^[126] At the time, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle wrote that the bridge would be able to accommodate 240 freight cars daily.^[127] The passenger tracks were also electrified by 1918.

During World War I, when the federal government took control of railroad lines in the U.S., the New York Central began using the Hell Gate Bridge,^[128] allowing Long Island merchants to send products directly to the mainland via any railroad.^[129] The bridge was carrying only four passenger trains per day by September 1918, amid the war. The media wrote that, due to its low use, the bridge's construction cost was unlikely to be recouped.^[130] As late as 1919, the bridge was still carrying very limited passenger service because of wartime restrictions that diverted train traffic.^[131] The New York Central stopped using the bridge in November 1920 after the PRR and NH raised the bridge's freight-transport fees,^[132] and the New York Central began using car floats to Long Island instead.

1920s proposals

When the Triborough (now RFK) Bridge nearby was first proposed in 1920, Lindenthal suggested that the Hell Gate Bridge's main span could be retrofitted with an upper deck for vehicular and pedestrian use,^[133] a proposal that he repeated in 1924.^[134] Civic organizations across the city supported the extra deck,^[135] and the engineering firm of Robinson and Steinman conducted a study, finding that it was feasible to add the deck.^[136] In late 1926, mayor Jimmy Walker appointed a committee to consider the plan.^{[137] [138]} Albert Goldman, the Commissioner of Plant and Structures, estimated that the Hell Gate Bridge only had enough space for five lanes of roadway, so a new bridge would have to be constructed parallel to it.^[139] Accordingly, the Triborough Bridge was proposed as an entirely new bridge in March 1927,^[140] and that span would open in 1936.^[141]

Meanwhile, the Port of New York Authority, which sought to increase the number of freight trains that used the Hell Gate Bridge,^[142] hosted hearings in late 1924 to determine whether New York Central freight trains should be allowed to use the bridge, The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Long Island shippers endorsed the proposal,^{[143] [144]} while the LIRR, NH, and PRR opposed it.^{[145] [146]} The Port Authority ordered the PRR and NH to allow New York Central trains on the bridge in February 1925.^[147] The order was modified to exclude freight to and from New England,^[148] but the PRR and NH still refused to allow the New York Central to use the bridge after thirty days.^[149] A spur route from the bridge, which would have allowed trains from the Bronx to travel to a new terminal in Long Island City, was proposed the same year.^[150] PRR officials opposed the plan because it would strain the capacity of the bridge's two western tracks,^[151] and ultimately the spur was canceled.^[152] By the end of 1925, the bridge was carrying 1,200 freight cars per day.^[153]

In early 1926, the Port Authority asked the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to allow all freight trains on the bridge.^[154] The PRR and NH again opposed the move,^[155] and the PRR argued that allowing other railroads' trains on the bridge would discourage railroads from improving routes used by competitors.^[156] ICC examiners recommended opening the bridge only to freight trains toward Long Island;^{[157] [158]} at the time, traffic to Long Island constituted 88 percent of the island's freight traffic volume.^[159] The Port Authority continued to advocate for allowing all railroads to use the bridge in both directions.^[160] The freight tracks were electrified in 1927.^[161] The Port Authority also asked the ICC to lower the fees charged on freight trains using the bridge. The ICC ruled in 1928 that the railroads were not required to lower their rates but that they were required to allow other railroads to use the bridge during emergencies or when other routes were congested.^[162]

1930s to 1960s

By 1932, residents of Long Island were advocating for the construction of a second rail link between their island and the Bronx, due to the lack of direct freight service to eastern Long Island via the Hell Gate Bridge.^[163] The same year, the ICC hosted hearings over whether to run passenger trains over the bridge between eastern Long Island and New England;^[164] the ICC ultimately rejected a Long Island–New England passenger train as impractical, inconvenient, and of little benefit.^[165] In 1934, the NH put up its share of the bridge as collateral for a $6 million loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The NH was allowed to take back its portion of the bridge even if the RFC foreclosed on the loan;^[166] the NH declared bankruptcy the next year, remaining under trusteeship until 1947.^[167]

During World War II, in 1940, officials disarmed a live bomb under the Hell Gate Bridge.^[168] The bridge's economic value made it a target of Operation Pastorius, a Nazi sabotage plan,^[169] which was thwarted in 1942.^[170] The NYCR began leasing out land around the bridge's approach viaducts to nearby property owners in the 1940s. The property owners paid an annual fee and were obliged to maintain the land.^{[171] [172]} Additionally, passengers had to pay a surcharge on tickets for train trips that used the bridge, unless they were traveling to or from New York City; the surcharge had resulted an estimated $20.9 million in revenue for the bridge from 1920 to 1950.^[173] The surcharge prompted investigations from the ICC in the mid-1940s and again in 1951,^[174] but the surcharge was upheld both times.

Train traffic in the U.S. started to decrease in the mid-20th century as a result of increased automobile usage. This adversely affected both of the NYCR's co-owners and caused the bridge to fall into disrepair.^[175] The NH had declared bankruptcy in 1961^[167] but continued to own a 50% stake in the bridge.^[176] A feasibility study on the possible liquidation of the NH found that the bridge's salvage value was equal to the theoretical cost of demolition.^[177] The PRR's own issues compelled it to merge with New York Central in 1968, forming the Penn Central Transportation Company,^[178] which also included the NH. Penn Central itself filed for bankruptcy in 1970 and was absorbed by Conrail in 1976.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, there were suggestions to transfer ownership of the bridge to the New York City Transit Authority and to run commuter rail across the bridge.^[179] In addition, there had been concerns about the bridge's upkeep as early as 1967, when debris from the bridge fell to the ground near Astoria Park.^[180] The freight tracks were de-electrified in 1969.

1970s to 1990s

The New Jersey car float was closed for an extended period during the 1970s, making the Hell Gate Bridge the only way for freight trains to get to and from Long Island during that time.^{[181] [182]} One of the bridge's freight tracks was abandoned during that decade as well. The lack of rail crossings of the Hudson River, to the west, also meant that freight trains from Long Island had to detour to upstate New York just to travel west or south. Freight trains from the west also had to make several tight turns to reach the Hell Gate Bridge.^[183] New York state voters approved a bond issue in 1974, which provided $250 million for numerous upgrades to New York City's railroads.^[184] The upgrades included modifications to allow double-stack freight trains to use the Hell Gate Bridge, thereby reducing the need for cargo trucks to travel through the city.^[185]

Amtrak took over the bridge itself, and the passenger services that used it, by 1975,^[186] while Conrail began operating additional freight trains over it during the same decade.^[187] Vandals frequently threw rocks from the bridge and set fires, which had prompted Penn Central, and later Amtrak, to increase security on the bridge. By the late 1970s, debris was falling from the approach viaducts.^[188] Due to poor drainage, water had seeped through the viaducts, causing rocks to come loose.^[189] City councilman Peter Vallone Sr. and U.S. representative Mario Biaggi advocated for Amtrak to repair the viaducts, saying the conditions threatened local residents' lives. Amtrak started repairing the viaducts in 1978 but paused the repairs the next year.^[190] When the project resumed in 1980,^[191] workers added welded steel plates on the trackbeds to prevent objects from falling.^[192] Even after the repairs were finished, local residents continued to express concerns about the viaduct's structural integrity.^{[193] [194]} Additionally, the bridge's paint was peeling off by the late 1980s.^[195] Sources disagree on whether the bridge had last been repainted in 1939 or whether it had never been repainted at all; in either case, Amtrak's own vice president said the bridge should have been repainted three times in the previous half-century.^[196]

Vallone asked the federal government to fix the bridge after falling debris broke a car's window in 1988. Vallone and U.S. senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan requested that Amtrak devise a plan for repairing the bridge,^[197] though Amtrak officials denied that there was deterioration.^[198] The New York Times described the bridge in 1991 as "a flaking and crumbling symbol of urban decay and decline".^[199] Moynihan convened a United States Senate hearing in 1990 after attempting to contact Amtrak officials about the bridge; at the hearing, Amtrak officials testified that the bridge did not need repainting.^[200] The officials also estimated the cost of repainting at $43 million, though Moynihan disputed these estimates. By then, city officials had issued several warnings to pedestrians and drivers about the bridge's safety.^[201] The United States Congress allocated $55 million to renovate the bridge in late 1991,^[202] which included $42 million for repainting and $13 million for structural improvements.^[203] In exchange, the New York State Department of Transportation had to provide matching funds for 20 percent of the federal allocation. At the time, 20 Amtrak trains used the bridge every day.

Workers began renovating the bridge in April 1992;^[204] at Moynihan's request, the Municipal Art Society asked six architects and artists to decide the color in which the bridge should be painted.^[205] The bridge was repainted a deep red hue known as Hell Gate Red. The paint consisted of two layers of epoxy coating, a urethane layer, and a clear layer to protect against ultraviolet rays and corrosion. Due to a flaw in the paint, the red color began to fade before the work was completed.^[206] The repainting was completed in 1996,^[207] and graffiti began to appear on the viaducts shortly afterward. Beginning in the 1990s,^[208] local residents and students painted several murals under the Queens approach viaduct.^[209] Providence and Worcester Railroad freight trains carrying stone from quarries in Connecticut began using the bridge in 1996 to reach Long Island.^[210] The Oak Point Link near the bridge's Bronx end was completed in 1998, allowing freight trains from the Hudson Line (to the west) to access the bridge without having to make multiple tight turns.^[211] In addition, as part of the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Congress allocated $15 million to repaint the bridge.^[212] By then, 34 Amtrak trains used the bridge daily.^[213]

2000s to present

In the first decade of the 21st century, the bridge carried around 41 passenger trains per weekday, as well as less frequent freight-train service. Debris still fell from the bridge's approach viaducts due to both vandalism and general neglect,^{[214] [215]} and Vallone said in 2001 that the paint had started to peel off.^{[216] [217]} Security on the bridge was increased following the September 11 attacks. In 2002, state government officials announced plans to spend $11.8 million to replace the bridge's freight track so it could support heavier trains.^[218] After Peter Vallone Jr. was elected to his father's city council seat, the younger Vallone also unsuccessfully requested that Amtrak repaint the bridge throughout much of the 2000s.^[219] Following further reports of cracks and falling debris,^[220] Amtrak workers installed steel plates on the trackbed in the mid-2000s.^[221] Amtrak proposed raising rental fees for the land under the bridge's approach viaducts in 2006, in some cases as much as 100,000 percent. After further lobbying from the younger Vallone, Amtrak agreed to repair parts of the approach in 2008.^[222]

The bridge's paint continued to fade during the 2010s. Local residents also requested that Amtrak add more lighting to the bridge, which was illuminated at night by a small number of lights below the deck.^[223] By early 2016, several local politicians were advocating for Amtrak to repaint the bridge in advance of its centennial, citing the fact that various parts of the spans had become discolored.^[224] That year, Amtrak increased rental fees for the land under the bridge from tens of dollars to as much as $40,000 a year.^[225] The railroad reversed the rent increases following outcry from local residents.^[226] The Greater Astoria Historical Society, in conjunction with Amtrak, celebrated the centennial of the bridge's opening in 2017.^{[227] [228]} As part of Penn Station Access, in the 2020s, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) began upgrading the Hell Gate Line to accommodate the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line.^[229]

Description

The Hell Gate Bridge was originally known as the New York Connecting Railroad Bridge^[230] or as the East River Bridge Division. It consists of five spans, which connect the New York City boroughs of the Bronx to the north with Queens to the south. Three of the spans cross the Hell Gate, Little Hell Gate, and the Bronx Kill waterways, while the other two spans run above Randalls and Wards Islands.^{[231] [232]} Including approach viaducts in the Bronx and Queens, the Hell Gate Bridge is composed of seven sections. Together with approaches, the bridge has been cited as being 15840feet, more than 17000feet,^[233] or 3.38miles long. Gustav Lindenthal was the chief engineer for the bridge;^[234] he was assisted by the engineers Othmar Ammann^{[235] [236]} and David B. Steinman.^[237] In addition, Henry Hornbostel was the bridge's architect.^[238]

The Hell Gate Bridge is used exclusively as a railroad bridge, carrying passenger trains traveling between New York Penn Station and the Bronx, as well as freight trains heading between Queens and the Bronx.^{[239] [240]} The Hell Gate Bridge parallels the Hell Gate and Bronx Kill legs of the Robert F. Kennedy (formerly Triborough) Bridge to the west.^[241] The span across Hell Gate is oriented roughly from northwest to southeast, while the other two spans are oriented from northeast to southwest. The bridge was built with provisions for an upper level if the need arose. The entire bridge required 90000ST of steel and 460000yd3 of concrete.^[242] The decks of each span are all made of concrete panels, which carry track beds with ballast; this was intended to reduce noise pollution and is unusual for a railroad bridge.^[243] The February 2005 issue of Discover magazine estimated that, if humans were to disappear, the bridge could last for at least a millennium; most other bridges would fall in about 300 years.^[244]

Main span

The main span is a spandrel arch across the Hell Gate strait, flanked by large stone towers on either bank of the strait. When the main span was completed, it was sometimes referred to specifically as the Hell Gate Bridge or as the East River Arch Bridge.^[199]

Arch and deck

The main span measures long between the outer faces of the masonry "towers" on either side of Hell Gate. The clear span (between the inner faces) is, while the distance between the centers of these towers is . At the center of the main span, the deck reaches its maximum height, above mean high water, with a clearance below of . The main span was intended to carry a total load of approximately 76,000 pounds per lineal foot, or 76000abbr=valuesNaNabbr=values kilograms per lineal meter. The span uses high-carbon steel because it was cheaper than nickel steel at the time of construction.^[245] In total, the main span required between 18000and of rolled steel.

The span is a two-hinged arch; there are hinges at the springing points of the arch (at the bases of the towers on either side of Hell Gate). The arch's beams run along the north and south sides of a 60feet deck. On either side of the deck is an upper chord, with an inverted U-shaped cross section, and a lower chord, with a box-shaped cross section. The two chords are apart at either shore of Hell Gate, narrowing to apart at the middle of the river. Each lower chord ranges in thickness from approximately 7to, and the thickest sections of the lower chord are divided into two compartments. The upper chord is thinner and functions like a stiffening truss. The upper chord is shaped like a hump, both for structural reinforcement and for esthetic purposes. It reaches a maximum height of ^[246] or above mean high water. Beams run vertically and diagonally between the upper and lower chords. There is also transverse bracing between the upper chords and lower chords on either side of the bridge.

Eight stringers, or girders, run parallel to and under the tracks for the entire length of the deck. Four additional stringers were intended to support unbuilt walkways or trolley tracks on either side. These are intersected by 24 transverse floor beams. Sixteen of the transverse beams are suspended from the lower chord, while the other eight beams are riveted to the vertical trusses between the lower and upper chords. Additional girders are used to stabilize the floor of the deck.

Towers

Hornbostel was responsible for the towers on either shore of Hell Gate, which were designed to resemble castle keeps. They measure high and are made of concrete; the towers are clad with Maine granite above ground level. At the bases of each tower are two 500000lb cast-steel hinges, one for each of the lower chords. The Queens tower sits atop a layer of rock below the ground. The layer of rock on the Wards Island side is substantially deeper, descending more than, and so the Wards Island tower sits atop a deep caisson foundation. At ground level, the towers have a cross section of 104by. Each tower has a "shoulder", upon which the lower chords rest, and the towers' dimensions shrink above this shoulder.

The upper portions of each tower are hollow and contain staircases. Steel girders inside the towers support the tracks, but the towers are otherwise largely ornamental. The upper section of each tower contains archways on all four sides. There are also loophole-like openings flanking the tracks. The tops of the towers are surrounded by parapets. Space for railroad equipment, such as switch tower machinery, was provided on the roof of each tower.

Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts

Northwest of the Hell Gate span, the viaduct curves about 90 degrees to the northeast, running along the east side of Wards and Randalls Islands. The viaduct above Wards Island is about long and consists of 30 plate girder sections, which are each between 86and long. Each pier consists of a concrete arch measuring up to high and around 20by across at its base. The arches are composed of two legs connected by an arched girder. North of the Wards Island viaduct, trains cross the former Little Hell Gate strait to reach the Randalls Island viaduct.^[247] The viaduct across Randalls Island is about long and measures about 75to high. It is supported by concrete arches similar to those on Wards Island. The arches support 24 plate-girder sections that measure between 80and long.

The viaduct ramps down as it continues north from Wards Island to Randalls Island. The original plans for the piers called for them to be made for steel lattices. The metal piers were changed to concrete both because the Municipal Art Commission disapproved of the steel-lattice design, and because there were concerns that prisoners and psychiatric patients could escape by climbing the trestles. In addition, when the plans for the piers were changed in 1914, metal had become more expensive than concrete.

Little Hell Gate Bridge

Between the Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts is the Little Hell Gate Bridge, an inverted bowstring truss bridge.^[248] The inverted bowstring truss span is long, as measured from the centers of the abutments on either side. The Little Hell Gate Bridge consists of four sections of nearly equal length, although two are slightly longer than the others. Each section is composed of linked eyebars measuring wide.

The bridge is supported by three piers, which are skewed because they follow the former course of Little Hell Gate. Each pier is composed of a reinforced concrete arch held up by two circular columns. The portion of each pier below the former strait's water level is made of granite. Because Little Hell Gate was never a navigable waterway, the United States Department of War had allowed the builders to construct the piers within the strait itself. Little Hell Gate was infilled in the 1960s.^[249]

Bronx Kill span

A 350sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 fixed truss bridge crosses the Bronx Kill strait. It consists of two truss sections that are each 175feet long. The span is supported by a central pier between the two trusses, as well as by "tower piers" at either end. The piers are clad with granite below the mean water level and concrete above. Although the center and south piers are placed on solid rock, the north pier is placed on spread footings because the underlying layer of rock descends sharply to the north. The north pier measures high and wide, with a large arched opening underneath. Originally, the Bronx Kill passed diagonally under the truss spans.

The Bronx Kill span was planned as a double-leaf bascule drawbridge, although the Bronx Kill was not a navigable waterway even at the time of the bridge's construction. As such, the piers under the span had space for drawbridge machinery, and the span had a clearance below of . Underneath the Bronx Kill span is the Hell Gate Pathway, which continues underneath the Randalls and Wards Islands viaducts.^[250]

Approach viaducts

The height of the arch above Hell Gate required that the line be placed on an elevated viaduct between Long Island City and Port Morris. The viaduct is almost entirely composed of steel and concrete, except for small segments at either end, where the line is carried on an embankment with retaining walls. The steel viaduct is carried on approximately 150 concrete piers.

Bronx viaduct

In the Bronx, the Hell Gate Bridge has an approach viaduct measuring 4356feet long and descends at a grade of up to 1.2 percent. The NH used helper locomotives during the 20th century to assist freight trains traversing the approach viaduct's grade.^[251] The Bronx viaduct merges with the former four-track Port Morris Branch (now the one-track Oak Point Link) at 142nd Street in Port Morris. Separate ramps carry the western and eastern pairs of tracks down to the level of the Port Morris Branch. As built, the western ramp descended between the Port Morris Branch's western and eastern pairs of tracks, while the eastern ramp descended to the east of the Port Morris Branch. Two sets of piers carry the ramps northward from the Bronx Kill span to 132nd Street.

From the Bronx Kill north to 132nd Street, the four-track-wide viaduct consists of plate girders, which rest on concrete piers. Each pier is less than tall and has an arched opening at the base. The Hell Gate Pathway runs underneath the arches. The viaduct splits into two ramps north of 132nd Street, each with space for two tracks. Between 132nd and 138th Street, the ramps are largely supported by rectangular concrete piers. The plate girders run parallel to each other, under the tracks, and are intersected perpendicularly by I-beams, which support the concrete-and-ballast trackbeds above. The western ramp crosses over the Port Morris Branch's former eastern pair of tracks from 132nd to 133rd Street and is supported by large steel cross-girders. Between 138th and 142nd streets, the line is carried on an embankment measuring long.

Queens viaduct

The Queens approach viaduct descends at a grade of no more than 0.72 percent and is carried over local streets. It ranges from 110to above ground. The section west of 29th Street measures long and was originally known as the Long Island viaduct. The western viaduct is very similar to those above Randalls and Wards Islands, but the piers of the Queens viaduct use shallow foundations due to the presence of gravel and sand under the viaduct. The gravel and sand could not accommodate loads of more than 3ST/ft2, so the Queens viaduct is supported by especially wide concrete piers.The section from 29th to 44th Street measures long and was originally called the eastern viaduct. Reinforced concrete round arches carry the line over several streets in Astoria. The approach viaduct crosses above the New York City Subway's elevated Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard station at 31st Street,^[252] and three-centered arches were used at two locations where a flatter arch was required. Warren truss bridges carry the line diagonally above intersections. The truss-bridge segments typically measure 120to long and consist of heavy box-section columns that are made of built-up I-beams. Along the remainder of the eastern viaduct, the tracks run atop compacted land fill, which is enclosed by retaining walls. The retaining walls are made of slabs that are bolted together, while the fill came from the excavation of Sunnyside Yard.

East of 44th Street, the viaduct ends, and the line descends onto an embankment. The passenger and freight tracks branch off in western Queens, past the end of the viaduct.

Usage

The bridge carries two passenger rail tracks, which are part of Amtrak's electrified Northeast Corridor line, and one freight rail track, which is part of the New York Connecting Railroad's Fremont Secondary line. The Northeast Corridor tracks comprise one of Long Island's few railroad connections to the continental U.S.^[253] The bridge uses a track gauge of, the U.S. standard gauge.^[254] The passenger tracks are electrified by overhead wire, and the freight tracks were electrified until 1969. Amtrak owns the bridge.^[255]

Services

Passenger rail

The bridge's two western tracks are part of the Hell Gate Line and are used for Acela Express and Northeast Regional service between New York and Boston. The speed limit for passenger trains is on the bridge itself and on the approach viaducts. Past the bridge, the Hell Gate Line continues north to New Rochelle, where it merges with the mainline portion of Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line, and south to Harold Interlocking, where it merges with the Long Island Rail Road's Main Line.^[256] The bridge has traditionally been used by long-distance trains.^[257] It has also hosted occasional commuter services, such as special Metro-North services from Connecticut to the Meadowlands station in New Jersey.^[258] Before the opening of the Empire Connection in 1991,^[259] all Amtrak trains traveling from New York Penn Station to upstate New York and New England had to use the bridge.^[260]

In 1962, a regional transportation committee proposed running commuter rail trains from Connecticut to New York Penn Station via the Hell Gate Bridge, in advance of the 1964 New York World's Fair.^[261] The proposal was again studied in 1969^[262] and 1973, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initially dismissed the commuter-rail plan as infeasible.^[263] A plan to run some New Haven Line trains over the bridge was again proposed in the 1990s;^[264] the main obstacle to the plan was a lack of track space at Penn Station. The MTA studied the plan in 2000s as part of the Penn Station Access project, along with new stations on the Hell Gate Line in the Bronx.^{[265] [266]} Amtrak and the MTA reached an agreement regarding track usage rights in 2019,^{[267] [268]} and construction on Penn Station Access commenced in 2022, after the completion of East Side Access freed up space at Penn Station.^[269], New Haven Line trains were expected to begin running to Penn Station in 2028.^[270]

There have been proposals for the bridge to carry rapid transit as well. In 1950 and again in 1954, Bronx borough president James J. Lyons proposed running a subway line between Manhattan and the Bronx via the bridge.^[271] The Triboro RX subway line, between the Bronx and Brooklyn, was proposed in the 1990s and would have used the Hell Gate Bridge.^[272] The Triboro RX plan was scaled down after the MTA determined that it would not be feasible to operate rapid transit on the bridge when Penn Station Access was finished.

Freight rail

On the eastern side of the bridge is the New York Connecting Railroad's single-track line, which links New York City and Long Island to the North American mainland. The track forms part of the Fremont Secondary. It carries trains of the CSX, Canadian Pacific, and Providence & Worcester railroads from Oak Point Yard in the Bronx to Fresh Pond Yard in Queens, where they connect with the New York and Atlantic Railway to Long Island.^[273] Another track was abandoned in the 1970s and totally removed in the late 1990s. The speed limit for freight trains is .

Electrification

As completed, none of the bridge's four tracks had electrification. Although the passenger tracks were electrified by 1918, some steam locomotives continued to travel across the bridge through the 1920s.^[274] Freight trains had to switch between electric and steam-powered locomotives at Oak Point Yard. The New York State Legislature passed the Kaufman Act in 1923, mandating the electrification of all railways in New York City, including the freight routes on the Hell Gate Bridge, by January 1, 1926.^[275] The freight tracks were still not electrified in late 1925, but the NH was allowed to continue using the bridge^[276] and was given until mid-1928 to fully electrify the line.^[277] Electric freight service began in July 1927. As a result of electrification, freight trains from Bay Ridge could travel as far east as Cedar Hill Yard in New Haven, Connecticut, without stopping. The freight route was de-electrified in 1969, and the overhead wire above the freight tracks was removed.^[278]

The passenger tracks were originally electrified using a 11 kV, 25 Hz overhead catenary traction power system, as they were part of the NH's electrification system. Freight trains used the same 11 kV, 25 Hz traction power system when the freight tracks were electrified.^[279] After Amtrak took over the Northeast Corridor in the 1970s, it announced plans to upgrade the line to a 25 kV, 60 Hz traction power system.^{[280] [281]} Ultimately, the section of track over the Hell Gate Bridge was upgraded to 12.5 kV, 60 Hz electric traction.^{[282] [283]} Just south of the bridge's Queens terminus, the Hell Gate Line transitions to Amtrak's 12 kV, 25 Hz traction power system, as that part of the route was electrified by the PRR.

While NH trains were capable of operating on third rail power through the East River Tunnels to Penn Station, there was no third rail on the bridge. Overhead catenary poles are instead installed along the length of the Hell Gate Bridge. Power is supplied by substations along the Hell Gate Line. During the winter, the catenary wires could be defrosted by increasing the current coming from the substations.^[284]

Fees and surcharges

Fees were originally charged on freight trains that used the Hell Gate Bridge. For instance, in the 1910s, the New Haven Railroad charged a fee of three cents for every of cargo that was transported via the bridge, a fee that was raised to five cents after World War I.

During World War I, passengers began paying a fee on trips that used the bridge.^[285] The surcharge, imposed on all passengers who were not departing or arriving at New York Penn Station, was originally 75 cents but was raised to 90 cents in 1920. To avoid the surcharge, passengers transiting through New York City frequently chose to buy a ticket from their original departure point to Penn Station, then another from Penn Station to their destination. This prompted a complaint in 1945, in which a traveler claimed that the fee was discriminatory;^[286] an ICC examiner recommended that the PRR and NH stop charging the fee,^[287] but the ICC rejected the recommendation.^[288] The ICC launched another inquiry into the surcharge in 1951. ICC commissioner J. Monroe Johnson recommended in 1954 that the surcharge either be applied to all rail trips or be abolished entirely,^[289] but the ICC also rejected the proposal.^[290]

Impact

Critical reception

When the bridge was being built, The New York Times wrote that the bridge's abutments would dwarf the buildings on Wards Islands but that "it will give the idea of lightness and symmetry as well as almost immovable strength". Hornbostel said the main span would "form a veritable triumphal arch at the northerly entrance of the Port of New York", while the Railway Gazette called the project "second in interest only to the Quebec Bridge" due to its length.^[291] After the main arch was completed, a writer for the New-York Tribune said: "Perhaps never in human history has a mechanical triumph of such magnitude been launched with so little fanfare", while Outlook magazine described it as being "of interest in both the scientific world and in the world of transportation". A writer for The American Architect magazine said in 1920 that "there is something picturesque about the long viaduct leading to Hell Gate Bridge".^[292]

A 1972 almanac described the Hell Gate Bridge as one of 84 "notable modern bridges" across the world.^[293] Jeffrey Kroessler and Nina Rappaport, the authors of the 1990 book Historic Preservation in Queens, described the Hell Gate Bridge as one of 35 structures in Queens that they believed were worth designating as official New York City landmarks.^[294] At the end of the 20th century, the Engineering News-Record wrote that, "Its name notwithstanding, Hell Gate Bridge over the East River in New York City is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful bridges."

In 2004, Joe Greenstein of Trains magazine described Amtrak passengers' view from the bridge as the "spectacular reward for enduring the cramped chaos of Penn Station", but that the bridge was rarely noticed by those on the ground. A writer for the same magazine called the Hell Gate Bridge "one of the most impressive and important railroad structures in America" in 2007.^[295] At the bridge's centennial, Greater Astoria Historical Society director Bob Singleton called the Hell Gate Bridge "a school for 20th-century bridge making" and attributed the bridge's relative obscurity to the fact that it did not accommodate vehicles or pedestrians. According to Amtrak's deputy chief structural engineer, Jim Richter, the bridge was "a great symbol of the railroad".^[296]

Effect on development and commerce

When the Hell Gate Bridge and the NYCR line were proposed, the Brooklyn Times reported that the bridge and line would shift New York City's freight rail traffic from Manhattan to Brooklyn,^[297] and PRR president Alexander Cassatt said the project would be second only to the Panama Canal in its impact on trade.^[298] The bridge would also enable residents of towns along the New Haven railroad to commute to Penn Station,^[299] at a time when the railroad used Grand Central Terminal to access Manhattan.^[300] The New-York Tribune wrote in 1908 that, "for the first time in the history of this city, [there will be] an all-rail route through New York between New England and the South".^[301] After work had begun, The New York Times called the bridge and the NYCR line "one of the greatest improvements under way toward the industrial development of Queens",^[302] while the Sun said the bridge would increase Long Island's population and economy by making Queens into an industrial hub.^[303] The Times also predicted in 1913 that the bridge's completion would increase real-estate values in western Queens and the South Bronx.

When the bridge was completed, various houses and other buildings were constructed underneath the bridge's approach viaduct, particularly in Queens. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle predicted that the completion of the bridge, along with the proposed Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel, would reduce shipping times to and from Brooklyn by a full day.^[304] The Railway Age Gazette similarly predicted that freight rail would benefit most from the Hell Gate Bridge. When the bridge opened, business owners negotiated for space near LIRR yards in western Queens, owing to these yards' proximity to the bridge.

Influence and media

Railway Age wrote in 1955 that the Hell Gate Bridge had signified "the advent of steel arch construction" for railroad bridges.^[305] Its design influenced the designs of others around the world. The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was heavily influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge. The engineer in charge of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, John Bradfield, had surveyed the Hell Gate Bridge while trying to come up with designs for the Sydney crossing.^[306] The design of the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, was derived from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and, by extension, the Hell Gate Bridge. The McKees Rocks Bridge near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was also modeled on the Hell Gate Bridge.^[307]

When the bridge was completed, the architect Hugh Ferriss drew a cover for the Queens Chamber of Commerce's monthly magazine Queensborough, which depicted the main span. The main span was depicted in movies such as the 1973 film Serpico^[308] and the 1991 film Queens Logic,^[309] as well as TV shows such as Orange Is the New Black.^[310] The bridge's name inspired the name of the 2000 film Under Hellgate Bridge by Michael Sergio.^[311] In addition, the bridge has inspired works of art such as Hell Gate, a 28-longNaN-long model of the main span by the artist Chris Burden.^[312] The New York Botanical Garden's annual Christmas train show also includes a replica of the Hell Gate Bridge.^[313]

See also

• List of bridges and tunnels in New York City
• List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in New York
• Rail freight transportation in New York City and Long Island

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

Inflation figures

Sources

• 1928 . The 11,000-Volt Long Island Electrification . Railway Electrical Engineer . Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation . 19 . .
• Ammann . O. H. . 1918 . The Hell Gate Arch Bridge and Approaches of the New York Connecting Railroad Over the East River in New York City . Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers . American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) . 82 . 1 . 852–1004 . 10.1061/taceat.0002862 . 0066-0604.
• November 13, 1914 . Construction of the New York Connecting Railroad: Ten Mile Line Involving Large Bridges and Viaducts Will Connect the Pennsylvania and New Haven . Railway Age Gazette . 888–892 . 57 . 20 . . .
• September 3, 1915 . Construction of the New York Connecting Railroad: Material Progress Is Being Made on the Ten-Mile Line Which Will Connect the Pennsylvania and New Haven . Railway Age Gazette . 421–425 . 59 . 10 . . .
• Book: Cook, Richard J. . The Beauty of Railroad Bridges in North America – Then and Now . Golden West Books . San Marino, California . 1987 . 0-87095-097-5.
• June 7, 1918 . Electrification of New York Connecting Railroad: Link Between the Pennsylvania and the New Haven Eliminates Eleven and Thirteen Mile Car Ferry Routes . Railway Age . 1367–1370 . 64 . 23 . .
• Greenstein . Joe . Jun 2004 . In the shadow of Hell Gate . Trains . 48–51 . 64 . 6 . .
  • Book: Middleton, W.D. . Smerk . G.M. . Diehl . R.L. . Encyclopedia of North American Railroads . Indiana University Press . 2007 . 978-0-253-02799-3 .
• Book: Middleton, W.D. . Manhattan Gateway: New York's Pennsylvania Station . Kalmbach Books . 1996 . 978-0-89024-177-6 . none.
• Book: Reier, Sharon . The Bridges of New York . Dover Publications . 2012 . 978-0-486-13705-6 .
• Book: Sunnyside Yard and Hell Gate Bridge . Arcadia Publishing . 2016 . 978-1-4671-2419-5 . Images of rail.
• Thrall . Ashley P. . Billington . David P. . 2008 . Bayonne Bridge: The Work of Othmar Ammann, Master Builder . Journal of Bridge Engineering . American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) . 13 . 6 . 635–643 . 10.1061/(asce)1084-0702(2008)13:6(635) . 1084-0702.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Oviatt-Lawrence . Alice . February 22, 2024 . Engineering History . February 27, 2024 . Structure magazine . February 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227012755/https://www.structuremag.org/?p=778 . live.
2. News: April 24, 1892 . A Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 24, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 20 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224214546/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-a-connecting-ra/142012554/ . live.
3. Web site: September 9, 1910 . Day Long Throng Inspects New Tube; 35,000 Persons Were Carried on the First Day of Pennsylvania's Tunnel Service . May 22, 2018 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . May 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095412/https://www.nytimes.com/1910/09/09/archives/day-long-throng-inspects-new-tube-35000-persons-were-carried-on-the.html . live.
4. News: January 10, 1932 . Bridge Over Hell Gate Is 1,017 Feet in Length: Span Used by Railroads Cost $12,000,000 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . K23 . .
5. Web site: Barron . James . March 3, 2017 . Hell Gate Bridge, a Good Place to Hide From Zombies, Turns 100 . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222426/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/nyregion/hell-gate-bridge-a-good-place-to-hide-from-zombies-turns-100.html . live.
6. Book: New York (State). Legislature. Senate . Documents of the Senate of the State of New York . 1914 . 448 . August 3, 2018 . v. 8 . April 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404034742/https://books.google.com/books?id=_5MlAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA448#v=onepage&q&f=false . live .
7. News: February 7, 1899 . Ward's Island Bridge Scheme: Reappearance of a Well-known Measure at Albany . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 4 . . none.

   News: February 7, 1899 . For a Bridge Over Hell Gate. . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224193439/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/02/07/archives/for-a-bridge-over-hell-gate.html . live.

8. News: December 5, 1898 . The All-rail Plan Takes on New Life . newspapers.com . February 24, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 7 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224211517/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-all-rail-pl/142010254/ . live.
9. News: March 4, 1898 . New Bridge Proposed . newspapers.com . February 24, 2024 . The Standard Union . 8 . none . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224214548/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-bridge-proposed/142009560/ . live.

   News: March 4, 1898 . New East River Bridge Proposed: a Bill Introduced in the House by Mr. Ketchan . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 2 . . none. ; News: March 4, 1898 . East River Bridge Bill; Introduced in the House by Representative Ketchum of New York. . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224193441/https://www.nytimes.com/1898/03/04/archives/east-river-bridge-bill-introduced-in-the-house-by-representative.html . live.

10. News: March 4, 1898 . Introduction of the Bridge Bill in Congress . newspapers.com . February 24, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 16 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-introduction-of/142024268/ . live.
11. News: January 3, 1899 . News of the Railroads; Franchises and Estimates Secured for a Bridge and Viaduct from Port Morris to Astoria. . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224211435/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/01/03/archives/news-of-the-railroads-franchises-and-estimates-secured-for-a-bridge.html . live.
12. News: March 1, 1898 . Railway Connecting Link . newspapers.com . February 24, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 13 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224214539/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-railway-connect/142011995/ . live.
13. News: May 6, 1900 . Pennsylvania Gets L. I.: Control of the Insular Line Passes to a Great System . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . .
14. News: April 24, 1900 . To Connect L. I. And N. Y. C.: Bill for a Bridge Over Hell Gate Before the Mayor . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 10 . . none.

    News: April 24, 1900 . Bridge Over Hell Gate; The Bill Accepted – To Connect New York Central and Long Island Roads. . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/04/24/archives/bridge-over-hell-gate-the-bill-accepted-to-connect-new-york-central.html . live.

15. News: May 5, 1900 . Hell Gate Bridge Bill Signed. . February 25, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191738/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/05/05/archives/hell-gate-bridge-bill-signed.html . live.

    News: May 5, 1900 . Control of the Long Island . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 16 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191738/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-control-of-the-long-isl/142074429/ . live.

16. News: May 4, 1900 . Trunk Railroad Bridge Assured . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . Times Union . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191739/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-trunk-railroad-bridge-assure/142074167/ . live.
17. News: October 4, 1900 . East River Bridge Project Hearing: Chance for All Interested to Speak on Connecting Railroad Company's Plan . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 4 . .
18. News: April 22, 1902 . No Low Drawbridge . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 2 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203732/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-low-drawbrid/142083573/ . live.
19. News: April 25, 1900 . Hell Gate Railroad Bridge: New-York Central Expected to Obtain Facilities in Long Island as a Result . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 12 . .
20. News: April 20, 1900 . To Connect L. I. And N. Y. C.: Bill for a Bridge Over Hell Gate Before the Mayor . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 10 . .
21. News: December 12, 1901 . Pennsylvania to Enter City: Tunnels Under North and East Rivers and Manhattan Island to Long Island Road . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . . none.

    January 12, 1907 . The Pennsylvania and New Haven Connecting Railroad . Scientific American . 22 . XCVI . 2 . .

22. News: April 16, 1911 . $20,000,000 N. Y. Bridge: Work Begins on Foundations for Big Hell Gate Structure . The Sun . 6 . .
23. News: October 27, 1900 . To Join Railroad Lines by Tunnels and Bridges . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 16 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-to-join-railroa/142078065/ . live.
24. News: March 6, 1901 . Local P. R. R. Improvements: Control of New Hell Gate Bridge One of the Plans Proposed . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 2 . .
25. News: June 24, 1901 . Belt Around Manhattan . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203739/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-belt-around-manhattan/142082222/ . live.
26. News: April 12, 1902 . New York and Connecting Road; Announcement that Work Upon Is to be Started Soon. . February 25, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203731/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/04/12/archives/article-1-no-title-new-york-and-connecting-road-announcement-that.html . live.

    News: April 12, 1902 . Work on Connecting Road . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Citizen . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203749/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-work-on-connecting/142082455/ . live.

27. January 27, 1903 . Pennsylvania's Proposed Work in New York . The Street Railway Journal . 168 . 27 . 4 . . none.

    News: December 15, 1901 . Pennsylvania R. R. Plans to Cost Over $70,000,000 . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 5 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203731/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-pennsylvania-r/142081066/ . live. ; News: December 12, 1901 . Jacobs' Tunnel Plan Solves the Problem . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . Times Union . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203735/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-jacobs-tunnel-plan-solves-t/142082143/ . live.

28. News: July 2, 1903 . Immense Railway Plan Behind Franchise for a Few Miles of Track . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Port Chester Journal . 6 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-port-chester-journal-immense-railway/142092848/ . live.
29. News: December 17, 1902 . Penn. Tunnel Means Much to Long Island . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . Times Union . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-penn-tunnel-means-much-to-l/142084226/ . live.
30. News: February 10, 1903 . Pennsylvania Will Build Bridge Across Hell Gate; Engineer Says That $40,000,000 Will Be Spent to Make – a Connection with New Haven Road. . February 25, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203731/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/02/10/archives/pennsylvania-will-build-bridge-across-hell-gate-engineer-says-that.html . live.

    News: February 11, 1903 . Plans Complete for the Great Ten-Million-Dollar Bridge and Viaduct to be Built Across Hell Gate . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Evening World . 6 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-world-plans-complete-for-the/142084969/ . live. ; News: February 10, 1903 . Hell Gate Bridge Boom for Brooklyn . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Citizen . 1 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203738/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-hell-gate-bridge-bo/142083227/ . live.

31. News: March 16, 1903 . Hell Gate's Great Spans . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 8 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203741/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hell-gates-gre/142085581/ . live.
32. News: June 12, 1903 . To Connect Long Island With Great R. R. Systems . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 12 . none . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225211206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-to-connect-long/142088454/ . live.

    News: June 12, 1903 . Pennsylvania Bridge Now . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Sun . 9 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203737/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-pennsylvania-bridge-now/142085763/ . live.

33. News: March 24, 1904 . Freight Line From Jersey to Mott Haven . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Standard Union . 6 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-freight-line-from-jer/142093703/ . live.

    News: March 24, 1904 . To Begin Work at Once: Statement by Mr. Rea Plans for Hell Gate Link Before Commission—the Rental . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 6 . .

34. News: June 24, 1904 . Block Effort for Ninth Street Route; Rapid Transit Commission Holds Up New York and Jersey's Plan. . February 25, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225211207/https://www.nytimes.com/1904/06/24/archives/block-effort-for-ninth-street-route-rapid-transit-commission-holds.html . live.
35. News: June 24, 1904 . Now Goes to the Mayor . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 5 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003957/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-now-goes-to-the/142093884/ . live.

    News: June 24, 1904 . Big Franchise Granted: Route is to Connect Pennsylvania and New-Haven Roads . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 5 . .

36. News: March 14, 1915 . 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 Water—two Other Bridges and Four Viaducts Will Connect Long Island With the Mainland . Boston Daily Globe . 32 . .
37. News: March 26, 1905 . P. R. R. Pushing Bridge Work . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 5 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-pushing-bridge/142106393/ . live.
38. News: April 11, 1905 . End Aldermen's Hold on Franchise Rights; Senate Passes Bill Giving Board of Estimate New Power. . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 26, 2024 . 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 . live.

    News: April 11, 1905 . Aldermen Still Hold Up Connecting R. R. Franchise . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 13 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-aldermen-still/142094937/ . live.

39. News: May 26, 1905 . Ask Governor to Save Powers of Aldermen; Lawyers for Board and Citizens Denounce Franchise Shift . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 26, 2024 . 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 . live.

    News: May 26, 1905 . Talk of Veto for Aldermen Bill . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Standard Union . 3 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-talk-of-veto-for-alde/142104709/ . live.

40. News: November 17, 1905 . Again Asks Franchise: Connecting Railway Renews Application to Rapid Transit Commission . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 14 . . none.

    News: November 17, 1905 . Connecting R. R. Fight Before R. T. Commission . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Citizen . 7 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-connecting-r-r-fi/142154279/ . live.

41. News: June 3, 1905 . N. Y. C. R. R. Bills Signed . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . The Brooklyn Citizen . 2 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004000/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-n-y-c-r-r-bill/142094562/ . live.
42. News: March 23, 1906 . Mayor a Bit Peppery: "the Grip," Says Orr Lively Tilt Over Terms to Connecting Railroad . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 9 . .
43. News: December 22, 1906 . P. R. R. Gets Franchise . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030240/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-r-gets-franchise/142116665/ . live.

    News: December 22, 1906 . Connecting R. R. Is Assured . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Sun . 1 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-connecting-r-r-is-assured/142116886/ . live.

44. News: December 23, 1906 . Connecting Road Means Much to Two Boroughs . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 36 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-connecting-road/142117042/ . live.
45. News: February 16, 1907 . Franchise for Connecting Railway. . The Wall Street Journal . 7 . 0099-9660 . . none.

    News: February 14, 1907 . To Get Its Franchise . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 9 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191125/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-get-its-franchise/142153883/ . live.

46. News: May 23, 1907 . World Record Bridge . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-world-record-bridge/142151359/ . live.

    News: May 23, 1907 . New York Connecting Railroad Bridge to Be Longest in World . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 25 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-new-york-connec/142151078/ . live. ; News: May 26, 1907 . Plans to Span Hell Gate.: Rea Submits Design for World's Longest Steel Bridge. . The Washington Post . E1 . 0190-8286 . .

47. May 31, 1907 . Proposed East River Bridge; New York Connecting Railroad . Railroad Gazette . 750 . 42 . 22 . .
48. Book: Mills, William Wirt . Pennsylvania Railroad tunnels and terminals in New York City . 1908 . Moses King . May 26, 2018.
49. News: June 23, 1907 . Expect Too Much of Utilities Board; Expert Says People Mustn't Look for Transit Improvement for Months . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 26, 2024 . 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 . live.

    News: June 23, 1907 . Wants to Bridge Upper East River . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 16 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-wants-to-bridge-upper-e/142149600/ . live.

50. News: November 25, 1909 . Wards Island Right of Way.: Connecting Railroad's Franchise Seems in Conflict With Lease for the State Hospital. . The Wall Street Journal . 7 . 0099-9660 . .
51. News: November 8, 1912 . N. Y. Connecting R. R. May Be Held Up by Injunction . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 3 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192715/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-n-y-connectin/142379738/ . live.
52. Web site: July 29, 1907 . Turn Down Bridge Plan of Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 6 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226220222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-turn-down-bridg/142169900/ . live.

    Web site: July 29, 1907 . Bridge Plans Not Artistic . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . Times Union . 3 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226220222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-bridge-plans-not-artistic/142169920/ . live.

53. News: March 9, 1909 . Bridge Over Hell Gate: New Haven and P. R. R. Officials Discuss Connection . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 3 . . none.

    News: March 29, 1909 . Pushing Plans for Hell Gate Bridge; Pennsylvania and New Haven Officials Confer on the Connecting Line . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226220222/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/03/29/archives/pushing-plans-for-hell-gate-bridge-pennsylvania-and-new-haven.html . live.

54. News: January 15, 1908 . First Work on the Connecting Railway . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . Times Union . 6 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226202947/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-first-work-on-the-connecting/142162544/ . live.

    News: January 15, 1908 . Big House on Its Travels . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 5 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226202948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-big-house-on-it/142162564/ . live.

55. News: December 21, 1908 . P. R. R.'s Bridge Plans: Three Mile Structure Will Join Long Island to Port Morris Over Hell Gate . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 10 . . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191134/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-p-r-rs-bridge-plans/142156415/ . live.
56. News: December 21, 1908 . 70,000-Ton Bridge to Span 3 Streams . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 2 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191124/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-70000-ton-brid/142156268/ . live.

    News: December 21, 1908 . Bridge Will Be Longest in World . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . Press and Sun-Bulletin . 1 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226191128/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-bridge-will-be-lo/142156367/ . live.

57. Web site: July 31, 1909 . N. Y. Connecting R. R. Plans . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 22 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226232142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-n-y-connectin/142176227/ . live.
58. Web site: April 17, 1909 . The Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 26 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226232151/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-connecting/142175148/ . live.
59. Web site: September 25, 1909 . Connecting Bridge Plan . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 6 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226232202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-connecting-brid/142176104/ . live.

    News: September 26, 1909 . Hell Gate Bridge Plans; Engineers Will Try Again to Please Municipal Art Commission. . February 25, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191738/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/09/26/archives/hell-gate-bridge-plans-engineers-will-try-again-to-please-municipal.html . live.

60. News: December 6, 1909 . To Push New York Connecting Road: Will Join New Haven System to the Pennsylvania . The Hartford Courant . 1 . 1047-4153 . . none.

    Web site: December 6, 1909 . Work to Begin on N.Y.C.R.R. . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 2 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226232202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-to-begin-o/142176321/ . live.

61. Web site: August 8, 1909 . Proposed Bridge Will Have Arch 1,000 Feet Long 220 Feet High Fifth Structure Spanning River . February 27, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227012754/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/08/08/archives/proposed-bridge-will-have-arch-1000-feet-long-220-feet-high-fifth.html . live.
62. News: February 27, 1910 . To Preserve Bronx River; Board of Trade Takes Steps to Secure Map for Proposed Parkway. . February 28, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228023420/https://www.nytimes.com/1910/02/27/archives/to-preserve-bronx-river-board-of-trade-takes-steps-to-secure-map.html . live.

    News: February 26, 1910 . The Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 28, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 15 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228023420/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-the-connecting/142264739/ . live.

63. News: March 2, 1910 . Engineers at Work on Connecting Road . newspapers.com . February 28, 2024 . Times Union . 5 . none . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228023422/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-engineers-at-work-on-connect/142263731/ . live.

    News: March 2, 1910 . Work Soon to Start on Bridge Over Hell Gate . newspapers.com . February 28, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 7 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228023421/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-soon-to-st/142263751/ . live.

64. News: April 1, 1911 . Pennsylvania-New Haven Link and Its Traffic Significance . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Wall Street Journal . 2 . 0099-9660 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192718/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-pennsylvania-new/142373929/ . live.
65. News: March 24, 1911 . Hell Gate Bridge Begun . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Sun . 5 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-hell-gate-bridge-begun/142367701/ . live.
66. News: April 3, 1911 . Big Steel Orders Pending.: Pennsylvania Soon to Close Contracts for Hell Gate Bridge. . The Washington Post . 5 . 0190-8286 . .
67. News: June 4, 1911 . Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . 77 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-hell-gate-bridge/142373054/ . live.

    News: June 3, 1911 . To Span Hell Gate . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 7 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173850/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-to-span-hell-ga/142367180/ . live.

68. November 10, 1911 . Steel Arch Bridge Over the East River, New York . Railway Age Gazette . 956 . 51 . 19 . .
69. News: December 16, 1911 . Greatest of All Railroad Bridges at Hell Gate a Link in New England-Western Railroad Route . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Times Union . 18 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-greatest-of-all-railroad-bri/142371629/ . live.
70. News: December 5, 1911 . Huge Span Ready in 1914 . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 25 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173848/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-huge-span-ready/142371727/ . live.
71. News: December 5, 1911 . Huge Span Ready in 1914 . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 27 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173844/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-huge-span-ready/142367807/ . live.
72. News: March 19, 1911 . New East River Bridge; To Connect Long Island and New England Railroads. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173842/https://www.nytimes.com/1911/03/19/archives/new-east-river-bridge-to-connect-long-island-and-new-england.html . live.
73. News: November 5, 1911 . Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . 52 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173852/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-times-hell-gate-bridge/142373151/ . live.

    News: November 9, 1911 . Pennsylvania-New Haven Link Construction Under Way . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Wall Street Journal . 8 . 0099-9660 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-pennsylvania-new/142371684/ . live. ; News: November 4, 1911 . Big Contract Will Furnish Work Here . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Star-Gazette . 2 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229173843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-big-contract-will-furnish-w/142371656/ . live.

74. News: December 29, 1911 . P. R. R. Bridge Awards . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 5 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192728/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-p-r-r-bridge/142378110/ . live.
75. News: February 3, 1912 . Awarded Hell Gate Work; Transportation of Bridge Material a Big Problem for Carnegie Co. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192720/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/02/03/archives/awarded-hell-gate-work-transportation-of-bridge-material-a-big.html . live.

    News: February 1, 1912 . Slight Lull in Steel Market but Producers Are Optimistic . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Wall Street Journal . 2 . 0099-9660 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192724/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-slight-lull-in-s/142377238/ . live.

76. News: September 22, 1912 . Hell Gate Viaduct; $2,000,000 Contract Awarded for New East River Bridge. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192720/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/09/22/archives/hell-gate-viaduct-2000000-contract-awarded-for-new-east-river.html . live.
77. News: October 6, 1912 . New Bridge Work Let; Ready to Make Test Borings for East River Structures. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192721/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/10/06/archives/new-bridge-work-let-ready-to-make-test-borings-for-east-river.html . live.
78. Web site: November 16, 1918 . Sues for Bridge Profits; Patrick Ryan Says Company, as Partner, Kept $375,000 from Him. . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302205742/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/11/16/archives/sues-for-bridge-profits-patrick-ryan-says-company-as-partner-kept.html . live.
79. August 1, 1913 . Progress on the Hell Gate Bridge . Concrete – Cement Age . 92 . 3 . 2 . .
80. News: January 17, 1943 . Colonel Hudson Dies; Engineer Built Bridges: Triborough and Hell Gate Construction Chief Was Officer in World War Bridge Engineer . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 40 . . none.

    News: January 16, 1943 . Col. H. W. Hudson, Bridge Engineer; Chief in the Construction of Triborough and Hell Gate Spans – Dies at 67 . March 4, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304021950/https://www.nytimes.com/1943/01/16/archives/col-hw-hudson-bridge-engineer-chief-in-the-construction-of.html . live.

81. News: July 6, 1913 . Hell Gate Bridge Will Boom Realty; Demand for Factory Sites Adjacent to Approaches on Both Sides of the East River. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229210726/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/07/06/archives/hell-gate-bridge-will-boom-realty-demand-for-factory-sites-adjacent.html . live.
82. News: November 10, 1912 . Hell Gate Structure Now Being Built Will Be an Important Link in the System of the Connecting Railroad That Will Change the Relation of Manhattan Island to the Mainland for Commercial Ends. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229210727/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/11/10/archives/hell-gate-structure-now-being-built-will-be-an-important-link-in.html . live.
83. News: October 26, 1912 . Building Piers for the Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Times Union . 3 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192726/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-building-piers-for-the-conne/142374282/ . live.
84. News: January 4, 1914 . Connecting Railway Takes Definite Form . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 40 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225305/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-connecting-rail/142398010/ . live.
85. News: January 21, 1917 . World's Heaviest Bridge Now Spans Hell Gate Tides . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . New York Herald . 45 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200610/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-worlds-heaviest-bridge/142456914/ . live.
86. News: September 26, 1915 . Great Hell Gate Bridge Triumph of Engineering . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Sun . 26 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301165227/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-great-hell-gate-bridge-triumph-o/142439586/ . live.
87. News: November 9, 1912 . Enjoin Building of Bridge at Hell Gate . The Hartford Courant . 10 . 1047-4153 . . none.

    News: November 9, 1912 . Blocks Ward's Island Bridge . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Sun . 3 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192716/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-blocks-wards-island-bridge/142379647/ . live.

88. News: November 26, 1912 . Doctors in Way of Connecting Railroad . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Times Union . 8 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192717/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-doctors-in-way-of-connecting/142380787/ . live.
89. News: January 17, 1913 . Bridge Work to Proceed . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 26 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225258/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-bridge-work-to/142394242/ . live.

    News: January 17, 1913 . Wards Island Is to Be Bridged . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Times Union . 14 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225259/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-wards-island-is-to-be-bridge/142394265/ . live.

90. News: January 26, 1913 . Great New Bridge Over River Within Two Years . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 13 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229211220/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-great-new-bridg/142388040/ . live.
91. News: July 3, 1913 . New York Connecting Railroad: Work on New Four-track Line to Begin This Summer-- Road to Cost $30,000,000. . The Wall Street Journal . 7 . 0099-9660 . .
92. News: August 27, 1913 . New York Connecting Road Seeks Bond Issue . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Wall Street Journal . 5 . 0099-9660 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225309/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wall-street-journal-new-york-connect/142395390/ . live.
93. News: September 18, 1913 . New York Connecting Railway's New Financing . The Christian Science Monitor . 17 . 0882-7729 . .
94. News: November 15, 1913 . N.Y. Connecting Railroad Bond Issue Approved.: Public Service Board Permits Immediate Issue of $11,000,000 Bonds Under the $30,000,000 Mortgage Proceeds to Take Care of Short Term Notes . The Wall Street Journal . 5 . 0099-9660 . . none.

    News: November 21, 1913 . Connecting R.R. Bonds; $11,000,000 4 1–2 Per Cent. Issue Quickly Taken at 94 1–2. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225258/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/11/21/archives/connecting-rr-bonds-11000000-4-12-per-cent-issue-quickly-taken-at.html . live.

95. News: May 12, 1914 . Report on Progress of Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 4 . none . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225310/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-report-on-progr/142399884/ . live.

    News: May 13, 1914 . Long Island News . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . Times Union . 8 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225307/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-long-island-news/142399934/ . live.

96. News: December 27, 1914 . Make Big Progress on Connecting Road . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 59 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-make-big-progre/142397488/ . live.
97. News: October 9, 1915 . Queens Borough . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . Brooklyn Life . 24 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301165225/https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-life-queens-borough/142439289/ . live.
98. News: September 30, 1915 . Hell Gate Spans Quarter Inch Apart . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 15 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301185856/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hell-gate-spans/142447894/ . live.
99. News: July 20, 1915 . Biggest Bridge Half Finished . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . Times Union . 12 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301185854/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-biggest-bridge-half-finished/142448178/ . live.
100. News: Minthorn . David . August 18, 2002 . Exhibit celebrates Mohawks' high-rise feats . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Star-Gazette . 28 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308205902/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-exhibit-celebrates-mohawks/142958279/ . live.
101. October 13, 1915 . The Longest Steel Arch in the World . Outlook . 346 . .
102. News: Sewell . Edward Alden . October 10, 1915 . The Hell Gate Arch Becomes a Bridge . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 30 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301165226/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-the-hell-gate-arch-beco/142410167/ . live.
103. November 5, 1915 . Progress on the Hell Gate Bridge . Railway Age Gazette . 865, 867 . 59 . 19 . .
104. News: October 4, 1915 . Hell Gate Bridge: President Rea Congratulates the Engineer on the Completion of the Span . The Wall Street Journal . 3 . 0099-9660 . .
105. News: October 1, 1915 . Ends of Hell Gate Bridge Joined: Big Steel Arch is Longest in the World . The Hartford Courant . 17 . 1047-4153 . .
106. News: April 11, 1994 . Gurley company was once the Tiffany of surveying tools . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Democrat and Chronicle . 13 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308180813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-gurley-company-wa/142946127/ . live.
107. News: October 15, 1916 . New Hell Gate Bridge; To be Opened to Traffic Early in January, 1917. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229225258/https://www.nytimes.com/1916/10/15/archives/new-hell-gate-bridge-to-be-opened-to-traffic-early-in-january-1917.html . live.
108. December 29, 1916 . A Review of Bridge Construction . Railway Age Gazette . 1165 . 61 . 26 . .
109. News: February 5, 1917 . City Bridges Guarded by Naval Militia: Details Patrol the East River—machine Guns on Piers Water Supply System Watched Raids by Cranks Are Feared-secret Squads Protect Subway Naval Battalion Men on Guard on City's Bridges . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . . none.

     News: February 8, 1917 . Police May Relieve the National Guard; Special Service at Public Works Is Being Continued, However, by the State . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200606/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/02/08/archives/police-may-relieve-the-national-guard-special-service-at-public.html . live.

110. News: March 10, 1917 . New Hell Gate Bridge Dedicated To Public Service: Pennsylvania and New Haven Systems Joined by Connecting Railroad . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 11 . . none.

     News: March 10, 1917 . Hell Gate Route Tested; Through Service Soon from New England to West and South. . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200606/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/10/archives/hell-gate-route-tested-through-service-soon-from-new-england-to.html . live. ; News: March 10, 1917 . First Train Crosses Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 5 . none . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200609/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-first-train-cro/142455453/ . live. ; March 16, 1917 . New York Connecting Railroad Finished . Railway Age Gazette . 453 . 62 . 11 . .

111. Book: Thom . William G. . The New York Connecting Railroad . Sturm . Robert C. . 2006 . . 9780988691605 . 46.
112. News: March 10, 1917 . Big Gang Laying Hell Gate R. R. . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . Times Union . 8 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302193055/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-big-gang-laying-hell-gate-r/142522091/ . live.
113. News: March 10, 1917 . Over New Route . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Buffalo Commercial . 11 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200612/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-commercial-over-new-route/142458180/ . live.
114. News: April 2, 1917 . Hell Gate Bridge is Opened for Traffic . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 9 . . none.

     News: April 2, 1917 . Open All-rail Line Boston to Capital; Federal Express Passes Over New Hell Gate Bridge This Morning in Initial Trip . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200607/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/04/02/archives/open-allrail-line-boston-to-capital-federal-express-passes-over-new.html . live.

115. News: March 31, 1917 . First Train Over Hell Gate Bridge . The Christian Science Monitor . 5 . 0882-7729 . . none.

     News: March 31, 1917 . Open Hell Gate Bridge; Federal Express of the New Haven Road First Train Over the Structure. . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200605/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/31/archives/open-hell-gate-bridge-federal-express-of-the-new-haven-road-first.html . live.

116. Web site: April 29, 1939 . Best Places to See NYC's Bridges : NYC Parks . March 8, 2024 . New York City Department of Parks & Recreation . November 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108215809/https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/best-places-to-see-NYC-bridges . live.
117. Jablow . Valerie . Oct 1999 . Othmar Ammann's Glory . Smithsonian . 34,36,38 . 30 . 7 . .
118. News: April 12, 1917 . Connecting Co. Bond Issue; Application Made for $1,500,000 to Finish Hell Gate Bridge. . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200606/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/04/12/archives/connecting-co-bond-issue-application-made-for-1500000-to-finish.html . live.
119. News: April 18, 1917 . More Hell Gate Trains; The Colonial Express and Bar Harbor Trains to Run Over New Route. . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301200703/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/04/18/archives/more-hell-gate-trains-the-colonial-express-and-bar-harbor-trains-to.html . live.

     News: April 18, 1917 . More Hell Gate Trains . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . Times Union . 4 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302193053/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-more-hell-gate-trains/142525440/ . live.

120. The route lasted two months. See: News: November 25, 1917 . Through Train for Boston Left St. Louis Last Night: First Time the Service Has Been Attempted Over Hell Gate Bridge. . St. Louis Post – Dispatch . 7B . . none. ; January 4, 1918 . Pennsylvania Will Eliminate 104 Weekday Trains . Railway Age . 91 . 64 . 1 . .
121. News: March 8, 1917 . Hell Gate Bridge in Use Next Week . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 17 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302205743/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hell-gate-bridg/142528119/ . live.
122. News: September 24, 1918 . Few New Haven Trains Use Pennsylvania Station: Federal Control Has So Far Neglected Opportunity to Increase Usefulness of Huge Capital Investment . The Wall Street Journal . 5 . 0099-9660 . .
123. News: Bennett . Charles G. . July 13, 1941 . New Bridges Busy; They Speed City Traffic and Add to the Beauty of Surrounding Waters . March 4, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304021950/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/13/archives/new-bridges-busy-they-speed-city-traffic-and-add-to-the-beauty-of.html . live.
124. News: December 27, 1917 . Hell Gate Bridge Plays Part in Troop Movements . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . Times Union . 6 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302193101/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-hell-gate-bridge-plays-part/142522256/ . live.
125. News: January 2, 1918 . Freight Hauls: Shortened by Use of Hell Gate Bridge to New England . Cincinnati Enquirer . 10 . .
126. News: January 17, 1918 . Freight by Hellgate Bridge: Route Will Be Opened Today to Speed Traffic to New England. . The Washington Post . 13 . 0190-8286 . . none.

     News: January 17, 1918 . Hell Gate Bridge Opened . The Christian Science Monitor . 9 . 0882-7729 . .

127. News: January 25, 1918 . 240 Freight Cars Through Brooklyn Daily on New Road . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 3 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302205742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-240-freight-car/142531641/ . live.
128. News: September 17, 1924 . Ask Reopening Of Freight Line Over Hell Gate: New York Central Tells Port Authority Restoration of Bridge Roule Would Save $400,000 a Year Could Cut Cost of Food Connecting Railroad's Toll So High Line Has to Use Slow Car Floats . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 8 . . none.

     News: September 17, 1924 . New Haven Barred Bridge to Central; Both Roads Used Hell Gate Route to Long Island Under Federal Control. . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302230950/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/09/17/archives/new-haven-barred-bridge-to-central-both-roads-used-hell-gate-route.html . live.

129. News: September 28, 1925 . Port Authorities' Meeting Revives Hope Boro Will Get Adequate Transfer Lines . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . Times Union . 19 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203345/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-port-authorities-meeting-re/142555131/ . live.
130. April 6, 1917 . New York a Way Station . Railway Age Gazette . 727 . 62 . 14 . .
131. News: July 17, 1919 . Urge Greater Use of Hell Gate Bridge to Connect N. E. With West . The Hartford Courant . 2 . 1047-4153 . .
132. News: February 28, 1926 . Hell Gate Bridge Toll Excessive, N. Y. C. Charges . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 8 . .
133. News: February 19, 1920 . Tri-Boro Bridge is "Uncalled For", Says Lindenthal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219211935/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Brooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star/Brooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star%201919-1920/Brooklyn%20NY%20Greenpoint%20Daily%20Star%201919-1920%20-%200795.pdf . February 19, 2024 . November 1, 2018 . Greenpoint Daily Star . 1 . Fultonhistory.com.
134. News: December 7, 1924 . How Triborough Bridge Would Ease Traffic Jam; Proposed Span With Three Arms Needed to Relieve Pressure on Highways of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, Engineers Say . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303012009/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/12/07/archives/how-triborough-bridge-would-ease-traffic-jam-proposed-span-with.html . live.
135. News: February 26, 1925 . Vehicular Road Planned To Top Hell Gate Span . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 29 . . none.

     News: February 25, 1925 . Plan Double-deck Hell Gate Bridge for Auto Traffic . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 1, 2 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303012011/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-plan-double-dec/142552992/ . live.

136. News: May 17, 1925 . Engineers Urge Highway Deck on Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 15 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303012009/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-engineers-urge/142552936/ . live.
137. News: December 17, 1926 . New Auto Bridge? . newspapers.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181202202642/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25027944/new_auto_bridge/ . December 2, 2018 . November 1, 2018 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 33.
138. News: December 13, 1926 . Hell Gate Span as a Vehicular Bridge Is Plan . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Citizen . 2 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203347/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-hell-gate-span-as-a/142604665/ . live.
139. News: April 23, 1927 . Triborough Bridge Objections Refuted . newspapers.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181202202631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25028256/triborough_bridge_objections_refuted/ . December 2, 2018 . November 1, 2018 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 36.
140. News: March 25, 1927 . Bridge Linking 3 Boroughs Gets Hearing April 21: Estimate Board Gets Plans for $25.000.000 Span Connecting 125th St.. Manhattan, Queens and Bronx Would Be Be Ready in 4 Years 8 Lanes for Traffic and Foot Paths Proposed: No Rapid Transit Is Included . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 18 . . none.

     Web site: March 25, 1927 . Tri-borough Bridge To Cost $24,625,000; Goldman Completes Plans, and Estimate Board Sets April 21 for Public Hearing. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181202202700/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/03/25/archives/triborough-bridge-to-cost-24625000-goldman-completes-plans-and.html . December 2, 2018 . October 1, 2018 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.

141. Web site: July 12, 1936 . Great Link Is Acclaimed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145618/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/12/archives/great-link-is-acclaimed-people-demanding-such-uptodate-projects.html . November 7, 2018 . November 10, 2018 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
142. News: June 20, 1924 . Port Authority Wants Hell Gate Bridge Put to Use . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . Times Union . 3 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302230950/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-port-authority-wants-hell-ga/142540265/ . live.
143. News: August 3, 1924 . Chamber Urges New Freight Link . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 21 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000015/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-chamber-urges-n/142545851/ . live.
144. News: September 16, 1924 . Shipping Interests Demand the Use of Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 22 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000013/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-shipping-intere/142545985/ . live.

     News: September 16, 1924 . Hell Gate Bridge Asked in Port Plan; Long Island Shippers Want Route Opened to the New York Central. . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302230950/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/09/16/archives/hell-gate-bridge-asked-in-port-plan-long-island-shippers-want-route.html . live.

145. News: October 15, 1924 . Fights Reopening Hell Gate Route; Long Island Line Opposes Plan to Send the Central's Freight Over Bridge . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000007/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/15/archives/fights-reopening-hell-gate-route-long-island-line-opposes-plan-to.html . live.

     News: October 15, 1924 . L.I.R.R. Increases Yard Facilities as Probe Starts . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . Times Union . 2 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000012/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lirr-increases-yard-faci/142545358/ . live.

146. News: October 16, 1924 . Rail Freight Line On Hell Gate Bridge Is Held Unnecessary: Hearings Are Closed by Port Authority on Testimony New Haven Can Handle New York Central Cars . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 29 . .
147. News: February 16, 1925 . Port Authority Opens Hell Gate Span to Central . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 24 . . none.

     News: February 16, 1925 . Orders Bridge Open to N.Y. Central; Port Authority Tells New Haven and Pennsylvania to Share Hell Gate Span . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000013/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/02/16/archives/orders-bridge-open-to-ny-central-port-authority-tells-new-haven-and.html . live.

148. News: March 14, 1925 . Roads Deadlock On Plan to Use Hell Gate Span: Time Allowed by Port Authority for Central and Pennsylvania to Agree Expires Without Results . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 18 . . none.

     March 14, 1925 . Hell Gate Bridge Decision Modified . Railway Age . 763 . 78 . 15 . .

149. News: March 20, 1925 . Cohen Acts to Open Hell Gate Bridge as Freight Artery . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 3 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203348/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-cohen-acts-to-o/142603438/ . live.
150. News: October 1, 1925 . Ask Queens Station as Commuter Base; Harkness Suggests Terminal for Westchester Travelers in Long Island City . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/01/archives/ask-queens-station-as-commuter-base-harkness-suggests-terminal-for.html . live.

     News: September 30, 1925 . Plan $10,000,000 Long Island City Commuter Station . newspapers.com . March 2, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 27, 28 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302230951/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-plan-1000000/142540497/ . live.

151. News: October 22, 1925 . Harkness Rail Plan Opposed at Hearing; Counsel for Port Authority Says It Would Conflict With Hell Gate Freight Traffic . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/22/archives/harkness-rail-plan-opposed-at-hearing-counsel-for-port-authority.html . live.
152. News: November 13, 1925 . Commuter Terminal Plan is Agreed on; Harkness Says Commission Is Ready to Build Station for the Long Island Alone. . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203347/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/11/13/archives/commuter-terminal-plan-is-agreed-on-harkness-says-commission-is.html . live.
153. News: December 11, 1925 . Kaufman Act to Be Obeyed: New Haven Road Says It Will Float Freight Pend- Ing Electrification . The Christian Science Monitor . 4B . 0882-7729 . . none.

     News: December 12, 1925 . New Haven to Use Car Floats to Keep Within Electric Law: Road to Comply. With Kaufman Act, Effective Jan. 1, by Sending Hell Gate's Freight Traffic by Water . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 2 . .

154. News: February 26, 1926 . Port Authority for Open Hell Gate Route: Cites Principles of Comprehensive Plan Which Demand Open Route—9 Miles Shorter Than Carfloat Route . The Wall Street Journal . 3 . 0099-9660 . . none.

     News: February 26, 1926 . Seek Opening Of Rail Lines Over Hell Gate: Shippers and Port Authority Would Have I. C. C. Grant Rights to All Roads to All-Rail Route . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 29 . . none. ; News: February 26, 1926 . Acts to Open Up Hell Gate Bridge; Port Authority Wants Tracks Put at Disposal of All Freight to Long Island . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203346/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/02/26/archives/acts-to-open-up-hell-gate-bridge-port-authority-wants-tracks-put-at.html . live.

155. News: February 27, 1926 . Hell Gate Line Fights Bridge Use by Central: New Haven and Pennsylvania Balk at Port Authority Plan to Open All Rail Route to Competing Road Shippers Favor Proposal Commerce and Public Service Boards Told Industries Would Be Helped . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 5 . . none.

     News: March 25, 1926 . Port Heads Finish Bridge Testimony; Railroads to Begin Their Fight Today to Prevent Central Route Over Hell Gate . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203346/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/03/25/archives/port-heads-finish-bridge-testimony-railroads-to-begin-their-fight.html . live.

156. News: March 26, 1926 . Opposes Opening of Hell Gate Span; Pennsylvania Executive Says It Would Have Adverse Effect on Other Terminal Plans. . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303203348/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/03/26/archives/opposes-opening-of-hell-gate-span-pennsylvania-executive-says-it.html . live.

     News: March 26, 1926 . P. R. R. Criticizes Central's Stand On Hell Gate Span: Vice-President County Tells I. C. C. Improvements Would be Discouraged if Rivals Are Allowed Its Use . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 17 . . none. ; News: March 27, 1926 . Asks Railroads to Share Bridge: Port Authority Would Route New York Central Over Hell Gate Span . The Christian Science Monitor . 5A . 0882-7729 . .

157. News: April 15, 1927 . New Effort to Open Hell Gate Bridge To All Rail Traffic . The Hartford Courant . 12 . 1047-4153 . .
158. News: February 10, 1927 . I. C. C. Aid Asks Joint Hell Gate Bridge Tariff: Would Open Pennsylvania and New Haven Structure to Inbound Traffic Over Competing Railroads . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 25 . .
159. News: February 10, 1927 . Quicker Freight to Queens and Brooklyn Near . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 3 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303220744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-quicker-freight/142611089/ . live.
160. News: April 15, 1927 . Urges Public Right in Hell Gate Bridge; Port Authority Files Brief With I.C.C., Opposing Report of Examiner . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303220742/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/04/15/archives/urges-public-right-in-hell-gate-bridge-port-authority-files-brief.html . live.

     News: April 15, 1927 . Urges Public Right in Hell Gate Span . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . Times Union . 11 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303220742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-urges-public-right-in-hell-g/142613401/ . live.

161. July 1, 1927 . Electric power in steam railroad service: Developments in electric rolling stock and lighting equipment discussed at Montreal . Railway Mechanical Engineer . 479 . .
162. News: June 21, 1928 . Long Island Shippers Lose: Port Authority's Plea for Hell Gate Bridge Routes Rejected by Commerce Commission . The Wall Street Journal . 15 . 0099-9660 . . none.

     News: June 21, 1928 . Refuses Joint Rate by Hell Gate Route; I.C.C. Decides Against Port Authority in Petition for Long Island Freight . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303220742/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/21/archives/refuses-joint-rate-by-hell-gate-route-icc-decides-against-port.html . live.

163. News: August 16, 1932 . Bronx-Nassau Rail Link Asked For 6,000,000: Long Island Villages Urge State to Make Nine Roads Provide Direct Service Also Seek Upstate Outlet Say Roundabout Trips Now Cost Time and Boost Fare . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 16 . .
164. News: November 22, 1932 . Service Is Asked for L.I.R.R. Over Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . Times Union . 9 . none . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001130/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-service-is-asked-for-lirr/142619547/ . live.

     News: November 22, 1932 . Hell Gate Service Plea Given Hearing . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 24 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001120/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-hell-gate-servi/142619518/ . live.

165. News: August 26, 1933 . New England Line Denied to Nassau; I.C.C. Dismisses Long Islanders' Plea for Through Passenger Train Route . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001121/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/26/archives/new-england-line-denied-to-nassau-icc-dismisses-long-island-ers.html . live.

     News: Manning . George H. . August 26, 1933 . Hell Gate Route Asked by Nassau Rejected by I.C.C. . newspapers.com . March 3, 2024 . The Standard-Star . 1, 2 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001124/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-hell-gate-route-asked/142620772/ . live.

166. News: December 1, 1934 . RFC Gets Hell Gate Bridge as Collateral on New Haven Loan . Chicago Tribune . 21 . 1085-6706 . . none.

     News: December 2, 1934 . Half of Hell Gate Bridge Put Up as RFC Collateral . newspapers.com . March 4, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 38 . none . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-half-of-hell-ga/142623173/ . live. ; News: December 1, 1934 . Hell Gate Bridge is Pledged for Loan; RFC Accepts New Haven's Interest in Span to Back $6,000,000 Advance. . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304001120/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/12/01/archives/hell-gate-bridge-is-pledged-for-loan-rfc-accepts-new-havens.html . live.

167. Book: Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, Electrification, New Haven to Boston [CT,MA]

     Environmental Impact Statement ]

     . v. 1 . 1994 . May 5, 2024 . 3.25.
168. News: September 14, 1940 . Bomb Found Beneath Vital Hell Gate Bridge . The Washington Post . 1 . 0190-8286 . .
169. Book: MacDonnell . Frances . Insidious Foes: The Axis Fifth Column and the American Home Front . limited . November 2, 1995 . Oxford University Press . 0-1950-9268-6 . 131.
170. News: June 28, 1942 . Nazis Cached Explosives at Amagansett: Carried $150,000 for 2 Years of Destruction From N. Y. to Mid-West Planned to Blow Up N. Y. . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . . none.

     News: Lissner . Will . June 28, 1942 . Invaders Confess; Had TNT to Blast Key Factories, Railroads and City Water System . March 4, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304021956/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/06/28/archives/invaders-confess-had-tnt-to-blast-key-factories-railroads-and-city.html . live.

171. Web site: Gannon . Michael . September 1, 2016 . Astoria residents hit with Amtrak hikes . February 26, 2024 . Queens Chronicle . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226225831/https://www.qchron.com/editions/western/astoria-residents-hit-with-amtrak-hikes/article_b56bf215-5421-5f12-b6eb-74d2ddfb14b9.html . live.
172. News: Gentile . Don . October 11, 1977 . Hell Gate Brim Stony . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 412 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011346/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-hell-gate-brim-stony/142906312/ . live.
173. News: December 20, 1951 . I.C.C. Orders Inquiry on 90c Extra Fare On Certain Trips Over Hell Gate Bridge . March 2, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302230950/https://www.nytimes.com/1951/12/20/archives/icc-orders-inquiry-on-90c-extra-fare-on-certain-trips-over-hell.html . live.
174. News: December 20, 1951 . 90-Cent Hell Gate Bridge Toll, In Effect 31 Years, Faces Inquiry . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 29 . . none.
175. Web site: Healy . Ryan . February 22, 2016 . The Strange History Of NYC's Mighty Hell Gate . March 7, 2024 . Gothamist . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222724/https://gothamist.com/news/the-strange-history-of-nycs-mighty-hell-gate . live.
176. News: Clark . William . October 21, 1966 . Chicago Bondholders, Will File Own Plan for New Haven Sale: Chicagoans Say Plan Would Sell Rail Short . Chicago Tribune . E7 . 1085-6706 . .
177. News: January 31, 1967 . Superhighway Urged in Place of New Haven's Harlem Line . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . Mount Vernon Argus . 17 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/mount-vernon-argus-superhighway-urged-in/142898712/ . live.
178. Book: Daughen . J.R. . The Wreck of the Penn Central . Binzen . P. . Beard Books . 1999 . 978-1-893122-08-6 . 4 . March 8, 2024 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308062316/https://books.google.com/books?id=5ur402YHf7gC . live.
179. News: November 19, 1973 . DelBello asks rail service to Penn Sta. . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . The Standard-Star . 11 . none . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233705/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-delbello-asks-rail-ser/142899845/ . live.

     News: Hudson . Edward . June 9, 1973 . A New Rail Link Sought for Bronx . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204154607/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/09/archives/a-new-rail-link-sought-for-bronx-3-officials-propose-use-of-the.html . February 4, 2018 . December 25, 2016 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.

180. News: Moss . Michael . July 17, 1991 . City: Hell Gate Bridge Is One Heck of a Mess . Newsday . 20 . 2574-5298 . .
181. News: Burks . Edward C. . November 5, 1976 . Rail-Car Floating: a Chancy Business . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . 28 . . none.

     News: Morris . Tom . October 18, 1978 . Piggyback Freight Center Eyed . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . Newsday . 7, 28 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233942/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-piggyback-frei/142902558/ . live.

182. News: Morris . Tom . October 18, 1978 . Rail Freight Revival for City . Newsday . 19, 23 . 2574-5298 . .
183. News: Halbfinger . David M. . October 12, 1998 . 20 Years in the Making, Rail Freight Link Opens in Bronx . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226004610/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/12/nyregion/20-years-in-the-making-rail-freight-link-opens-in-bronx.html . live.
184. News: Burks . Edward C. . November 7, 1974 . State Rail Bond Issue Is Expected to First Help Commuter and Intercity Service . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233729/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/11/07/archives/state-rail-bond-issue-is-expected-to-first-help-commuter-and.html . live.
185. News: Henry . John . March 9, 1975 . City Taking Steps to Revive Rail Freight Service . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 99 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233700/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-city-taking-steps-to-revive-r/142901870/ . live.
186. News: Oreskes . Michael . June 19, 1975 . Crushed Car Brings Outcry on Dangers of Bridge . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 313 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233720/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-crushed-car-brings-outcry-on/142901274/ . live.
187. News: Burks . Edward C. . April 4, 1976 . Waiting for the ConRail Express . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233657/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/04/archives/long-island-weekly-waiting-for-the-conrail-express.html . live.
188. News: May 22, 1990 . Queens Closeup / Manhattan Closeup Amtrak: Hell Gate Not Falling Down 73-year-old Bridge is Rusted but Safe, Rail Officials Say . Newsday . 23 . 2574-5298 . .
189. News: Murray . Alice . May 23, 1980 . Hell Gate Viaduct: Relief is in sight . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 897 . April 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404034652/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-hell-gate-viaduct-relief-is/142909141/ . live .
190. News: Leahy . Jack . August 28, 1979 . Vallone: Fix viaduct before it kills . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 370 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011304/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-vallone-fix-viaduct-before-i/142906827/ . live.
191. News: Hanrahan . Thomas . February 12, 1980 . Hell Gate viaduct imperiling cleanup . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 386 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011310/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-hell-gate-viaduct-imperiling/142908484/ . live.
192. News: April 30, 1980 . All's well that ends weld . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 750 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-alls-well-that-ends-weld/142908000/ . live.
193. News: Rabin . Bernard . Meskil . Paul . July 25, 1984 . Fear death from above . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 287 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011316/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fear-death-from-above/142908086/ . live.
194. News: Jamieson . Wendell . July 7, 1988 . Debris From Bridge Still Falls on Astoria . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Newsday . 33 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-debris-from-bridge-still-falls-o/142911299/ . live.
195. News: Peters . James . June 20, 1988 . Vallone urges RRs to fix-up Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 302 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011328/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-vallone-urges-rrs-to-fix-up-h/142910354/ . live.
196. News: November 2, 1988 . Meeting to Discuss the Fate of Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Newsday . 34 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011324/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-meeting-to-discuss-the-fate-of-h/142910926/ . live.
197. News: September 11, 1988 . Queens Rail Bridge Criticized . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . The Associated Press . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011303/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/11/nyregion/queens-rail-bridge-criticized.html . live.

     News: September 11, 1988 . Hell Gate's in heck of fix . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 5 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011330/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-hell-gates-in-heck-of-fix/142910475/ . live.

198. News: Peters . James . July 18, 1988 . Bridge OK, Vallone told . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 221 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308011322/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-bridge-ok-vallone-told/142910708/ . live.
199. News: Gruson . Lindsey . November 30, 1991 . Long Unlucky, Rail Bridge Hits $55 Million Repair Jackpot . March 1, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . November 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131113085635/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/30/nyregion/long-unlucky-rail-bridge-hits-55-million-repair-jackpot.html . live.
200. News: May 17, 1990 . They brush on painting Hell Gate Bridge . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 486 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308180836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-they-brush-on-painting-hell-g/142944883/ . live.
201. News: Queen . Joseph W. . July 30, 1991 . Heads Up! Bad Bridge . Newsday . 27 . 2574-5298 . .
202. News: Queen . Joseph W. . December 8, 1991 . Queen's Queens Feds Come Through to Save a Treasure . Newsday . 2 . 2574-5298 . .
203. News: February 22, 1992 . Work set to begin on Hell Gate bridge . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Mount Vernon Argus . 13 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308180811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/mount-vernon-argus-work-set-to-begin-on/142945343/ . live.
204. News: April 4, 1992 . Officials Kick Off Renovation of Hell Gate Bridge . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . 1.25 . .
205. News: Kaufman . Michael T. . December 26, 1992 . About New York; When Made Over, Hell Gate Bridge Won't Clash With East River . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308180811/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/26/nyregion/about-new-york-when-made-over-hell-gate-bridge-won-t-clash-with-east-river.html . live.
206. News: Kilgannon . Corey . A Bad Impression Outlasts a Bridge's New Paint . January 10, 2015 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 8, 2012 . January 10, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110085337/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/a-bad-impression-outlasts-a-bridges-new-paint/ . live.
207. News: December 12, 1996 . Re-covered Bridge . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 615 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308193703/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-re-covered-bridge/142952269/ . live.
208. Web site: Evelly . Jeanmarie . December 25, 2013 . Astoria Group Wants to Light Up Hell Gate Bridge . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308214839/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131225/astoria/astoria-group-wants-light-up-hell-gate-bridge/ . dead.
209. Web site: Kern-Jedrychowska . Ewa . August 23, 2012 . Greek Gods to Adorn Hell Gate Bridge in New Mural . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . September 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210917184741/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120823/astoria/greek-gods-adorn-hell-gate-bridge-new-mural/ . dead.
210. Hartley . Scott A. . April 2016 . The key to Providence & Worcester's success: Reinvention . . 53 . 945631712.
211. Greenstein . Joe . Jul 1999 . New York City studies rail freight options . Railway Age . 33–35 . 200 . 7 . .
212. Web site: Dao . James . May 23, 1998 . $200 Billion Bill For Public Works Passed by Congress . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . October 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019041027/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/23/nyregion/200-billion-bill-for-public-works-passed-by-congress.html . live.

     News: Sheridan . Dick . June 28, 1998 . Target Traffic Snarls, Noise / Feds Ok 15b in Aid for State Projects . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 1 . .

213. News: Varner . Bill . October 11, 1999 . A step closer to Penn Station . The Journal News . B.1 . .
214. Web site: April 8, 2001 . Neighborhood Report: Astoria; A Bridge Meant for Trains, Not Bombardment . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226225900/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/08/nyregion/neighborhood-report-astoria-a-bridge-meant-for-trains-not-bombardment.html . live.

     News: Woodberry . Warren Jr. . August 28, 2000 . Teen Vandals Hit Woodsid epelt Homes With Rocks From Rail Line . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 1 . .

215. Web site: Brownlow . Ron . October 13, 2005 . Falling Rocks Damage Cars Under Hell Gate In Astoria . February 26, 2024 . Queens Chronicle . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226225832/https://www.qchron.com/editions/western/falling-rocks-damage-cars-under-hell-gate-in-astoria/article_73884549-4072-5cc1-a3d3-18bb102b6653.html . live.
216. News: Bertrand . Donald . Blood . Michael . March 22, 2001 . Claim Hell Gate Paint's Shot to, Well... . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 1 . .
217. Web site: Lippincott . E.E. . April 5, 2001 . Pols & Locals: Issues Continue To Plague Hell Gate Bridge . March 8, 2024 . Queens Chronicle . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308214837/https://www.qchron.com/editions/western/pols-locals-issues-continue-to-plague-hell-gate-bridge/article_ff0b7766-61f7-5456-b638-f4bbd2f7de7c.html . live.
218. News: Halbfinger . Caren . October 28, 2002 . Hudson Line on track for bigger freight trains . The Journal News . A.1 . .
219. Web site: Duke . Nathan . December 19, 2009 . Repair Hell Gate: Vallone – QNS.com . March 8, 2024 . QNS.com . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308220337/https://qns.com/2009/12/repair-hell-gate-vallone/ . live.
220. News: Bennett . Chuck . August 25, 2006 . Cracks in bridge cause for concern . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . Newsday . 16 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308205902/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-cracks-in-bridge-cause-for-conce/142959276/ . live.
221. News: Bertrand . Donald . March 24, 2006 . Rocks Just Miss Pol's Aide. Amtrak Ballast Stones Rain Onto Shore Blvd. . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 1 . .
222. Web site: Toscano . John . March 26, 2008 . Long Overdue Hell Gate Bridge Repairs Getting Underway . March 8, 2024 . Queens Gazette – . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222355/https://www.qgazette.com/articles/long-overdue-hell-gate-bridge-repairs-getting-underway/ . live.

     Web site: February 8, 2010 . Amtrak to remove scaffolding – QNS.com . March 8, 2024 . QNS.com . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222352/https://qns.com/2010/02/amtrak-to-remove-scaffolding/ . live.

223. Web site: McRae . Tess . February 20, 2014 . Hell Gate Bridge may go to the light side . March 8, 2024 . Queens Chronicle . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308214836/https://www.qchron.com/editions/western/hell-gate-bridge-may-go-to-the-light-side/article_172cc88d-fb07-5be3-8598-533619f79121.html . live.
224. Web site: Matua . Angela . March 2, 2016 . Queens officials call for a paint job of Astoria's Hell Gate Bridge – QNS.com . March 8, 2024 . QNS.com . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308221843/https://qns.com/2016/03/does-astoria-bridge-need-a-paintjpb/ . live.

     Web site: Ferry . Shannan . March 8, 2016 . Politicians, Local Leaders Call on Amtrak to Repaint Hell Gate Bridge . March 8, 2024 . spectrumlocalnews.com . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308214836/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/news/2016/03/7/politicians--local-leaders-call-on-amtrak-to-repaint-hell-gate-bridge . live. ; Web site: Evelly . Jeanmarie . March 1, 2016 . Astoria's Hell Gate Bridge Should Be Repainted for 100th Birthday, Pols Say . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . November 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231120012403/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160301/astoria/astorias-hell-gate-bridge-should-be-repainted-for-100th-birthday-pols-say/ . dead.

225. Web site: Pilgrim . Lexi . August 26, 2016 . Amtrak . March 8, 2024 . The Real Deal . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308205902/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2016/08/26/adding-zeroes-amtrak-jacks-up-rent-for-queens-homeowners/ . live.

     Web site: Evelly . Jeanmarie . August 26, 2016 . Amtrak Hikes Rents For Backyard Spaces From $25 to $25K, Residents Say . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308205857/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160826/ditmars/amtrak-hikes-rents-for-backyard-spaces-from-25-25k-residents-say/ . dead.

226. Web site: Christian . Lyndsay . November 4, 2016 . Amtrak Reverses Course on Rent Increase for Astoria Residents . March 8, 2024 . Spectrum News NY1 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308210021/https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2016/11/4/amtrak-reverses-course-on-rent-increase-for-astoria-residents . live. Web site: Evelly . Jeanmarie . November 7, 2016 . Amtrak Drops Massive Rent Hikes on Backyards of Astoria Homeowners . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . December 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208170859/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161107/ditmars/amtrak-rescinds-rent-hikes-hell-gate-bridge/ . dead.
227. Web site: Barone . Vincent . March 27, 2017 . Hell Gate Bridge, an Astoria icon, turns 100 years old . March 8, 2024 . amNewYork . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308215108/https://www.amny.com/news/hell-gate-bridge-an-astoria-icon-turns-100-years-old-1-13324799/ . live.
228. Calisi . Joseph M. . HELL GATE Hits 100 . 2017 . . . 10–11 . none.

     Web site: Evelly . Jeanmarie . March 9, 2017 . Astoria's Hell Gate Bridge Turns 100 This Week . March 8, 2024 . DNAinfo New York . December 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225175417/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170309/ditmars/hell-gate-bridge-centennial-100th-anniversary/ . dead.

229. Web site: 4 New Metro-North Stations Break Ground in NYC. Here's When They'll Take You to Penn . NBC New York . December 9, 2022 . May 4, 2024.
230. News: Schneider . Daniel B. . March 19, 2000 . F.Y.I. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100722054021/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/19/nyregion/fyi-304220.html . July 22, 2010 . January 23, 2011 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
231. News: August 22, 1915 . Greatest Arch Bridge to Join East and West: Pennsylvania's Structure, Spanning Hell Gate, Nears Completion the Newest of New York's Great Bridges . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 8 . .
232. News: October 12, 1915 . Facts of Longest Bridge in World . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Herald Statesman . 7 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301011746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-facts-of-longest-br/142406991/ . live.
233. Staff. "Growing a Bridge From Both Ends", p. 769, The Literary Digest, Volume 51, No. 14, October 2, 1915. Accessed July 7, 2016. "The whole length of the structure (arch and two approaches), from abutment on Long Island to abutment in the Bronx, is 17,000 feet, or considerably over three miles."
234. News: November 3, 1911 . Personal and Impersonal . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 4 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192729/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-personal-and-im/142374000/ . live.
235. Book: Hopkins, Henry J. . A Span of Bridges: An Illustrated History . New York, Praeger . 1970 . 230.
236. March 15, 1999 . 1917: Hell Gate Bridge's Fame Belies Its Name . Engineering News-Record . 28 . 242 . 11 . .
237. News: August 23, 1960 . Dr. David B. Steinman Dies, Bridge Designer: Worked on Triborough, Mackinac, Thousand Islands and Hell Gate . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 15 . .
238. News: December 14, 1961 . Henry Hornbostel, 94, Is Dead; Designer of the Hell Gate Bridge . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . none . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222653/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/12/14/archives/henry-hornbostel-94-is-dead-designer-of-the-hell-gate-bridge.html . live.

     News: December 15, 1961 . Maj. Hornbostel Dies At 94; Noted Architect . The Hartford Courant . 29C . 1047-4153 . .

239. Web site: March 30, 2017 . Celebrating the Hell Gate Bridge Centennial . February 26, 2024 . Amtrak: History of America's Railroad . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226202948/https://history.amtrak.com/blogs/blog/hell-gate-bridge-centennial . live.
240. Web site: Brachfeld . Ben . January 30, 2023 . Dispute between MTA, Amtrak could delay Penn Access megaproject bringing Metro-North to west side . February 26, 2024 . amNewYork . January 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130222122/https://www.amny.com/transit/dispute-mta-amtrak-delay-penn-access-megaproject/ . live.
241. News: July 12, 1936 . The Triborough Bridge, a $63,000,000 Steel and Concrete Giant, Opened to the Public: Three Boroughs of New York Linked to a Vast Project to Relieve Traffic Congestion; The Triborough Bridge, a $63,000,000 Steel and Concrete Giant, Opened to the Public: Three Boroughs of New York Linked to a Vast Project to Relieve Traffic Congestion . March 4, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304021950/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/12/archives/the-triborough-bridge-a-63000000-steel-and-concrete-giant-opened-to.html . live.
242. News: August 1, 1915 . New East River Bridge; Work Progressing Rapidly on Structure Over Hell Gate. . February 24, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233127/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/08/01/archives/new-east-river-bridge-work-progressing-rapidly-on-structure-over.html . live.
243. April 2, 1915 . Recent Tendencies in Concrete Ballasted Deck Construction . Railway Age Gazette . 728 . 58 . 14 . .
244. News: Weisman . Alan . February 2005 . Earth Without People: What would happen to our planet if the mighty hand of humanity simply disappeared? . . March 28, 2023 . March 28, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230328181845/https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/earth-without-people . bot: unknown.
245. Book: Hill . J.A. . Railway and Locomotive Engineering ... . Sinclair . A. . Angus Sinclair Company . 1922 . 12 . v. 35 . March 8, 2024 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308225306/https://books.google.com/books?id=RZQjAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12 . live.
246. News: January 2, 1917 . Bridge to Be Opened Soon at Hell Gate: It Completes a Continuous All Rail Route From Nova Scotia via New York to the South and West—has Four Tracks . The Christian Science Monitor . 6 . 0882-7729 . .
247. Web site: Oviatt-Lawrence . Alice . February 22, 2024 . Gustav Lindenthal's Little Hell Gate Rail Bridge . February 24, 2024 . Structure magazine . February 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224233126/https://www.structuremag.org/?p=8199 . live.
248. Web site: September 24, 2014 . Tyne Bridge . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170301234651/http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northeast/series3/tyne_bridge_northeasthistory.shtml . March 1, 2017 . December 28, 2016 . BBC Inside Out . Tyne Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson... in turn derived its design from the Hell Gate Bridge.
249. News: April 16, 1995 . Postings: Parks and Transportation Departments Debate Future of Former Link Between Randalls and Wards Islands; At City Agencies, Troubled Water Over Bridge . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . November 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101193121/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/16/realestate/postings-parks-transportation-departments-debate-future-former-link-between.html . live.
250. Web site: July 11, 2006 . Randall's Island Park Highlights . February 24, 2024 . The Hell Gate Pathway : NYC Parks . July 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712154920/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/randalls-island/highlights/19674 . live.
251. October 23, 1943 . Five More Electric Locomotives Added to New Haven Fleet: Trend in design is to higher-horsepower single-cab units—newest type is suitable for freight and passenger service Table I—Principal Dimensions and Weights of the Three Latest Types of New York, New Haven & Hartford Electric Locomotives . Railway Age . 655 . 115 . 17 . .
252. Web site: NYCityMap . live . https://archive.today/20150524114059/http://maps.nyc.gov/ . May 24, 2015 . March 20, 2020 . NYC.gov . New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
253. Web site: January 2016 . Railroads in New York – 2016 . December 9, 2018 . . December 10, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063426/https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/passenger-rail/passenger-rail-repository/2016%20NYS%20Rail%20Map.pdf . live.
254. Book: Moody, J. . Moody's Manual of Investments and Security Rating Service . Moody's Investors Service . 1926 . 715 . March 1, 2024 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301165230/https://books.google.com/books?id=xOJDIxyA6VsC&pg=PA715 . live.
255. Blanchard . Roy . May 2002 . No-excuses railroading . Railway Age . 29–31 . 203 . 5 . .
256. Web site: Amtrak's Wariness Imperils Grand Central-L.I.R.R. Link . February 1, 2004 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 8, 2024 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308205855/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/01/nyregion/amtrak-s-wariness-imperils-grand-central-lirr-link.html . live.
257. News: Wood . Francis . Dorman . Michael . May 2, 1962 . Set Rapid Transit Test on 1 LIRR Line . Newsday . 1 . 2574-5298 . . none.

     News: Lubasch . Arnold H. . May 2, 1962 . 5 Commuter Rail Projects Offered by 3-State Agency . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . March 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308222545/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/05/02/archives/5-commuter-rail-projects-offered-by-3state-agency-3-states-propose.html . live.

258. Web site: Oct 2009 . Going the Distance: Transportation Mobility in the New York Metropolitan Region . March 7, 2024 . Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee . 20 . April 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404034614/https://pcac.org/app/uploads/2014/09/Going-the-Distance.pdf . live .
259. News: April 7, 1991 . Travel Advisory; Grand Central Trains Rerouted To Penn Station . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . December 27, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091227094340/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/07/travel/travel-advisory-grand-central-trains-rerouted-to-penn-station.html . live.
260. News: Richterman . Anita . September 6, 1979 . Problem Line . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . Newsday . 151 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307233710/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-problem-line/142902122/ . live.
261. News: January 15, 1963 . Good Transit Facilities Assured in Westchester . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . The Reporter Dispatch . 45 . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307234057/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-dispatch-good-transit-facil/142898080/ . live.
262. Book: An Assessment of the Transit Service Potential of Inactive Railroad Rights-of-way and Yards Final Report . October 1991 . New York City Department of City Planning . 104, 128, 130.
263. News: McLaughlin . Peter . June 17, 1973 . Trains to Penn Station Proposed by 3 Officials . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 242.
264. Middleton . William D . Wolinsky . Julian . Nov 1998 . The regional/commuter rail outlook . Railway Age . G13 . 199 . 11 . .
265. Web site: June 26, 2002 . Watching as the Trains Pass, Then Having to Take the Bus . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
266. Web site: Penn Station Access Study . . September 2009 . April 12, 2008.
267. Web site: Metro-North riders will finally get Penn Station access . am New York . Castillo . Alfonso A. . January 22, 2019 . January 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121355/https://www.amny.com/transit/metro-north-penn-station-1.26282571 . January 23, 2019 . dead.
268. Web site: Spivack . Caroline . MTA to build new Metro-North stations linking Bronx to Penn Station . Curbed NY . January 22, 2019 . January 23, 2019.
269. Web site: December 9, 2022 . 4 New Metro-North Stations Break Ground in NYC. Here's When They'll Take You to Penn . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194027/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/metro-north-to-penn-station-bronx-mta-stations-groundbreaking-begins-timeline-here/3990112/ . December 9, 2022 . December 9, 2022 . NBC New York.
270. Web site: Brachfeld . Ben . January 30, 2023 . Dispute between MTA, Amtrak could delay Penn Access megaproject bringing Metro-North to west side . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130222122/https://www.amny.com/transit/dispute-mta-amtrak-delay-penn-access-megaproject/ . January 30, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . amNewYork.
271. News: December 30, 1954 . Bronx Head Urges Subway To Use Hell Gate Bridge . Newsday . 5 . 2574-5298 . . none.

     News: Dwyer . Robert . December 30, 1954 . City May Get Transit Spur Via Hell Gate . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 26, 30.

272. Web site: Guse . Clayton . Nessen . Stephen . February 11, 2023 . Bronx is snubbed as MTA pursues IBX plan . March 8, 2024 . Gothamist.
273. Web site: Kilgannon . Corey . January 31, 2007 . Mystery Freight Train Out of Queens? It May Soon Be a Familiar Sight . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
274. Clardy . W J . March 17, 1923 . All-Electric Passenger Service for New Haven: Twelve New Electric Locomotives Will Eliminate Steam Passenger Locomotives on Electrified Section . Railway Age . 767 . 74 . 15 . .
275. June 9, 1923 . New York Law Calls for Electrification Throughout N. Y. City . Railway Age . 1364 . 74 . 27 . .
276. News: December 31, 1925 . Court Enjoins Electrifying Roads in City: U. S. Judge Knox Stays Operation of Kaufman Act Temporarily on Railways' Plea of Impracticability . The New York Herald, New York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 1 . . none.

     News: December 31, 1925 . Roads Obtain Stays on Electrification; Temporary Injunctions Given New York Central and New Haven in Federal Court . March 3, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.

277. News: July 21, 1926 . 'New Haven' Gets Two Years More To Electrify Lines: Public Service Commission Grants Extension of New York City Order . The Hartford Courant . 4 . 1047-4153 . . none.

     News: July 21, 1926 . 2 Railroads Gain Extension of Time For Electrification: New Haven Gets Two Years for L. I. Changes; Pennsylvania Wins Yard Delay; Three Pleas Denied . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 9 . .

278. Book: Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project in Kings, Queens, Richmond Counties, New York, and Hudson, Union, Middlesex, Essex Counties, New Jersey: Environmental Impact Statement . 2004 . 10.
279. Book: Railway Age . Simmons-Boardman . 1928 . 1099 . March 1, 2024 . v. 85.
280. Book: Congressional Symposium, Railroads—1977 and Beyond—Problems and Promises . U.S. Government Printing Office . 1978 . 61 . March 3, 2024.
281. Sawyer . Kenneth T. . October 11, 1976 . DOT ready to get moving on $1.9-billion Corridor upgrading: Engineering How the $1.9 billion will be spent . Railway Age . 33 . 177 . 18 . .
282. Book: Bradley, R.P. . Amtrak: The US National Railroad Passenger Corporation . Blandford Press . 1985 . 978-0-7137-1718-1 . 99.
283. Book: Extra Twenty-two Hundred South . Dover Printing. . 1994 . 29 . 0014-1380 . nos. 102-111.
284. August 15, 1942 . Sleet Removal on Electrified Roads . Railway Age . 276 . 113 . 7 . .
285. November 10, 1945 . Hell Gate "Toll" Is Called Unreasonable: Discrimination found as "local" passengers are exempted from payment . Railway Age . 762 . 119 . 19 . .
286. April 7, 1945 . Objects to Extra Charge for Hell Gate Bridge Travel . Railway Age . 641 . 119 . 19 . .
287. News: November 6, 1945 . Would End Bridge Toll; ICC Examiner Reports on Fee on Hell Gate Span . March 4, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
288. May 4, 1946 . Dismisses Complaint Against Hell Gate Route Charge . Railway Age . 940 . 120 . 18 . .
289. November 22, 1954 . Figures of the Week: ICC Advised to End Hell Gate Bridge Charge . Railway Age . 11 . 137 . 21 . . none.

     News: November 17, 1954 . Hell Gate Toll Equalizing Urged . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 20 . .

290. July 25, 1955 . Hell Gate Arbitraries Upheld by Commission: Rates & Fares . Railway Age . 9 . 139 . 4 . . none.

     News: July 20, 1955 . I. C. C. Upholds Hell Gate Toll . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . 20 . . none. ; News: July 20, 1955 . East River Toll Upheld by I. C. C . March 7, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.

291. News: February 9, 1915 . Railroads. Big Construction Work: in This Country and Canada Breaks Old Records. Quebec and Hell Gate Spans Marvels in Bridges. Magnolin and Lackawanna Cut-offs Surpass All Previous Elforts of Their Kind. . Cincinnati Enquirer . 16 . .
292. Bourne . Frank A. . August 18, 1920 . Department of Architectural Engineering: the Architect a Necessary Factor in Bridge Building Co-operation Between Architect and Engineer Essential to Improved Bridge Design . The American Architect . 219 . 118 . 2330 . .
293. News: Singleton . Donald . March 6, 1972 . Of Cables, Beams and Beauty . newspapers.com . March 7, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 216.
294. News: July 15, 1990 . Postings: 'Historic Preservation in Queens'; Nominees for Landmark Designation . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
295. McGonigal . Robert S. . May 2007 . The New York Connecting Railroad: Long Island's Other Railroad . Trains . 74 . 67 . 5 . .
296. Web site: Barron . James . March 3, 2017 . Hell Gate Bridge, a Good Place to Hide From Zombies, Turns 100 . March 8, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
297. News: December 20, 1902 . To Centralize Business Interests on Long Island . newspapers.com . February 25, 2024 . Times Union . 9.
298. News: March 12, 1906 . Extensive Local Terminal Plans of Long Island Railroad . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . Times Union . 18.
299. News: April 9, 1908 . New Haven Denies Rumor . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 2 . none.

     News: April 12, 1908 . New Haven Railroad Plan . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 73.

300. Web site: March 21, 1909 . Transportation Problems . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . The Sun . 50.
301. News: April 12, 1908 . Real Estate Market Strong . newspapers.com . February 26, 2024 . New-York Tribune . 1941-0646 . 61.
302. News: September 29, 1912 . Industrial Future Bright for Queens; Hell Gate Bridge Will Be Big Factor in Stimulating Business Growth. . February 29, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
303. News: December 1, 1912 . Connecting Railroad Will Have Wide Effect . newspapers.com . February 29, 2024 . The Sun . 26.
304. News: October 26, 1916 . N. Y. Connecting R. R. Important Factor in Freight Transportation . newspapers.com . March 1, 2024 . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . 2577-9397 . 80.
305. September 24, 1956 . A Look Back: Structures... . Railway Age . 270 . 141 . 13 . .
306. Web site: Willis . Charlotte . March 13, 2016 . Surprising history behind this bridge . February 26, 2024 . news.com.au.
307. Web site: Bohnel . Steve . January 18, 2024 . State, local officials announce $132 million for repairs to three Pittsburgh bridges . March 8, 2024 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
308. Web site: Boone . Ruschell . March 1, 2017 . Hell Gate Bridge's Centennial Has Strong Astoria Connection . March 8, 2024 . spectrumlocalnews.com.
309. Web site: Spagnuolo . Christine . June 24, 2015 . 'QUEENS LOGIC' . March 8, 2024 . Queens Chronicle.
310. Web site: McRae . Tess . October 2, 2014 . Visit locations from your favorite TV shows . March 8, 2024 . Queens Chronicle.
311. News: Holden . Stephen . May 11, 2001 . Film in Review; 'Under Hellgate Bridge' . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
312. Web site: Haithman . Diane . April 1, 2007 . Yes, this 'Hell Gate' is smaller, but it's not small . March 8, 2024 . Los Angeles Times.
313. News: Kissel . Howard . December 8, 2000 . Engineering a mini-miracle . newspapers.com . March 8, 2024 . New York Daily News . 2692-1251 . 854.