West Street pedestrian bridges#Tribeca Bridge

File:Tribeca bridge in New York City December 2013.jpg

File:StuybridgeDownfolders-downfolder29-2011 01 31 13 49 53.jpg

The Chambers Street Bridge ({{Coord|40|43|2.5|N|74|0|46|W}}) or the Tribeca Bridge, was built in 1992{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=November 24, 2003|title=Vesey Street Bridge Opens to Quiet, but Grateful, Crowd|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/24/nyregion/vesey-street-bridge-opens-to-quiet-but-grateful-crowd.html|access-date=January 15, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web | title=In the News: Tribeca Bridge to Get Repainted | website=Tribeca Citizen | date=July 2, 2018 | url=https://tribecacitizen.com/2018/07/02/in-the-news-tribeca-bridge-to-get-repainted/ | access-date=January 15, 2024}} to improve connections for the northern part of Battery Park City. It connects Stuyvesant High School inside Battery Park City and the property of the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Although an exit to the street level exists on the Battery Park City side, the bridge connects directly into Stuyvesant High School. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, its lighting display at night has earned it the 1996 IES/NY Lumen Lighting Award.{{cite web|url=http://dgalight.com/projects/89366TribecaBridge.html|title=Tribeca Bridge|publisher=Dgalight.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012084108/http://www.dgalight.com/projects/89366TribecaBridge.html|archive-date=October 12, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2012}}

File:Manhattan New York City 2009 PD 20091129 009.JPG

The first Vesey Street Bridge ({{Coord|40|42|49|N|74|0|49|W}}), or North Bridge, connected the above-ground concourse of the former World Trade Center complex with the World Financial Center.{{cite web|url=http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/3-world-financial-center/ |title=3 World Financial Center. American Express |publisher=Wired New York |access-date=October 2, 2012}} Paralleling the nearby Vesey Street, it opened in 1984. It began at a point between 1 WTC and 6 WTC linking the upper levels of the Winter Garden Atrium. The grand marble staircase inside the Winter Garden pavilion provided access to the lower levels of the building and to the adjacent waterfront.{{cite web|url=http://www.nyyachtcharter.com/directions.php?theport=northcove |title=NY Boat Charters Directions |publisher=Nyyachtcharter.com |access-date=October 2, 2012}} The bridge was destroyed in the collapse of 1 WTC during the September 11 attacks in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/q-a-response-mark-pagliettini.html|title=Ask the Port Authority - Mark Pagliettini Answers World Trade Center Questions|publisher=Panynj.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014124349/http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/q-a-response-mark-pagliettini.html|archive-date=October 14, 2012|access-date=August 18, 2012}}

Because the intersection of Vesey Street and West Street was closed to pedestrians due to the September 11 attacks,{{cite web |last=Kreuzer |first=Terese Loeb |date=May 18, 2011 |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/crossing-vesey-street-remains-problematic/ |title=Crossing Vesey Street remains problematic |publisher=Downtown Express |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017194656/http://www.downtownexpress.com/2011/05/18/crossing-vesey-street-remains-problematic/ |archive-date=October 17, 2013}} ground for a temporary Vesey Street Bridge was broken in August 2003 by then-Governor George E. Pataki.{{cite press release |date=August 20, 2003 |url=http://www.renewnyc.com/displaynews.aspx?newsid=83fcce20-06d1-441f-ac0b-43e772de396f |agency=Lower Manhattan Development Corporation |title=Governor Breaks Ground on Vesey Street Pedestrian Bridge |access-date=October 2, 2012}} The bridge opened in November 2003 in time for the return of the PATH train to the temporary terminal by the WTC site and connected the southwest corner of Vesey Street and West Street, next to 3 WFC, with the northeast corner, next to 140 West Street (Verizon Building).

The Vesey Street bridge was designed with ADA accessibility in mind, and escalators were installed to allow pedestrians access the bridge without using stairs. The escalator by the World Financial Center, at the western end, opened on April 16, 2004.{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Josh |date=April 16–22, 2004 |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_49/veseyelevators.html |title=Vesey elevators coming this summer to a bridge near you |work=Downtown Express |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418234317/http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_49/veseyelevators.html |archive-date=April 18, 2012}} They were followed by the escalator on the eastern side in June 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.lowermanhattan.info/news/rebuilding_milestones__sept_96585.aspx |title=Lower Manhattan : News | Rebuilding Milestones, Sept. 2003 to Sept. 2004 |publisher=Lowermanhattan.info |access-date=October 2, 2012}} The elevators at either end opened in the same summer. The elevators and escalators were prone to problems, and an escalator was closed for six months due to a failure.{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Josh |date=March 1, 2010 |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20100301/financial-district-battery-park-city/vesey-street-bridge-escalator-operational-after-months-of-delays |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107034505/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20100301/financial-district-battery-park-city/vesey-street-bridge-escalator-operational-after-months-of-delays |url-status=live |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |title=Vesey Street Bridge Escalator Operational After Months of Delays |work=DNAinfo |access-date=October 2, 2012 }} The bridge was met criticism for the breakdowns and also bridge closures due to construction activity at the 1 WTC construction site.{{cite web|url=http://newyork.nearsay.com/nyc/soho-tribeca/local-news-port-authority-closes-vesey-street-bridge |title=Port Authority Closes Vesey Street Bridge - SoHo TriBeCa & FiDi Local News - Frances Milliken |publisher=Newyork.nearsay.com |access-date=October 2, 2012}} Thus residents from the Battery Park City area clamored for the reopening of the Vesey Street walkways across West Street, as an alternative to the bridge. (The elevator and escalator on the east side of the Vesey Street bridge were inoperable for an extended period of time forcing individuals who are unable to climb stairs to cross at Murray Street, which is north of Vesey Street.)

The bridge was finally closed and taken apart on October 7, 2013. At the same time, the crosswalk on the north side of Vesey Street was reopened,{{cite web|url=http://brookfieldplaceny.com/content/alerts/10_7_13_closed_vesey_street_pedestrian_bridge-38618.html|title=10/7/13 CLOSED: Vesey Street Pedestrian Bridge|date=August 13, 2012|publisher=Brookfieldplaceny.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712134913/http://brookfieldplaceny.com/content/alerts/10_7_13_closed_vesey_street_pedestrian_bridge-38618.html|archive-date=July 12, 2014|access-date=June 3, 2014}} The bridge was replaced by the West Concourse of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, an underground passageway connecting the World Financial Center with the World Trade Center PATH station and to the Fulton Center via the Dey Street Passageway. The temporary bridge was demolished{{cite web|url=http://ebroadsheet.com/Entries/2013/10/9_Vesey_Street_Pedestrian_Bridge_is_Coming_Down,_Brookfield_Cube_Almost_Complete.html |title=Vesey Street Pedestrian Bridge is Coming Down, Brookfield Cube Almost Complete |publisher=Ebroadsheet.com |date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606205340/http://ebroadsheet.com/Entries/2013/10/9_Vesey_Street_Pedestrian_Bridge_is_Coming_Down,_Brookfield_Cube_Almost_Complete.html |archive-date=June 6, 2014}} and replaced by a pedestrian crosswalk.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131011/battery-park-city/pedestrian-bridge-near-wtc-finally-being-removed-as-crosswalk-reopens |title=Pedestrian Bridge Near WTC Finally Being Removed as Crosswalk Reopens - Battery Park City |work=DNAinfo |last=Plagianos |first=Irene |date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217221034/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131011/battery-park-city/pedestrian-bridge-near-wtc-finally-being-removed-as-crosswalk-reopens |archive-date=December 17, 2014 }}

File:Liberty Street South Bridge 2018.jpg

The original incarnation of the Liberty Street Bridge ({{Coord|40|42|38|N|74|0|53|W}}), was called the South Bridge, as it was seen as a companion to its Vesey Street counterpart and had a similar design. Due to the attacks, it had sustained significant damage. However, unlike its counterpart, it was extended and repaired and was reopened in April 2002.{{cite news |last=Shin |first=Paul H.B. |date=April 21, 2002 |title=Footbridge Near WTC Site Reopens |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2002/04/21/footbridge-near-wtc-site-reopens/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=New York Daily News}} Since then, the bridge has been revamped and rerouted, due to its location near the World Trade Center site and the construction activity for the Vehicle Security Center and the demolition of the Deutsche Bank Building at 130 Liberty Street. On April 21, 2010, the eastern bridge access point was shifted onto the east side of West Street, from Liberty Street. A pre-fabricated segment was attached to the existing bridge, for use while construction proceeds on both sides along Liberty Street. The new pre-fabricated southward extension was fitted with an elevator for ADA accessibility.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dot.ny.gov/route9a/bridge|title=Liberty Street Pedestrian Bridge Extension Opens|publisher=New York State Department of Transportation|access-date=December 4, 2016}} The bridge was connected to Liberty Park at its eastern end in 2016.{{cite web | title=First Look at Liberty Park | website=Tribeca Citizen | date=June 30, 2016 | url=https://tribecacitizen.com/2016/06/30/first-look-at-liberty-park/ | access-date=March 16, 2022}}

With the destruction of the North Bridge and the closure of the South Bridge due to the terrorist attacks, Battery Park City residents sought for safe passage across West Street in the immediate months following September 11, 2001. The Rector Street Bridge ({{Coord|40|42.45|N|74|0.915|W}}) was seen as a temporary solution.{{cite news |last=Appleton |first=Andrea |date=November 10, 2006 |url=http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/newsnov06/rectorstreet.htm|title=DOT Says Rector Street Bridge Stays|work=Tribeca Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202015738/http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/newsnov06/rectorstreet.htm|archive-date=December 2, 2006|access-date=August 18, 2012}} The bridge was designed by SHoP Architects and opened in August 2002. The bridge has a span of {{convert|230|ft}}, with a {{convert|170|ft}} ramp on the western end of the bridge. Much of the bridge was built from pre-fabricated materials, the design of the bridge was a steel box truss system.{{cite web|url=http://www.shoparc.com/file/601.pdf|title=Rector Street Bridge |publisher=Shoparc.com|access-date=October 2, 2012}} The panels surrounding the bridge allow natural light to flow through, but it limits the view to disallow people from using it to view the World Trade Center site.{{cite web|last=Ringen |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0702/ob/ob08_0702.html |title=Bridging the Divide |work=Metropolis Magazine |date=July 2002 |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426065259/http://www.metropolismag.com:80/html/content_0702/ob/ob08_0702.html |archive-date=April 26, 2009}} In 2006, the New York State Department of Transportation released its proposal to reconstruct West Street into a promenade. The plans did not feature a permanent replacement, suggesting that the first Rector Street Bridge may be permanent. However a renovation was planned then, to keep the bridge in place for another ten years.

Billed by SHoP Architects as "Rector Street Bridge #2", this structure was in fact the renovated version of the bridge.{{cite web|url=http://www.shoparc.com/file/602.pdf|title=Rector Street Bridge #2|publisher=Shoparc.com|access-date=October 2, 2012}} The renovated structure had the truss system replaced by a canopy, that would allow views. However, during its immediate opening on October 9, 2009,{{cite web |last=Squadron |first=Daniel L. |author-link=Daniel Squadron |url=http://www.nysenate.gov/blogs/2009/oct/27/re-opening-rector-street-bridge |title=Re-opening the Rector Street Bridge! |website=New York State Senate |date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104230245/http://www.nysenate.gov/blogs/2009/oct/27/re-opening-rector-street-bridge |archive-date=January 4, 2011}} the elevators were unusable, drawing some outrage from Battery Park City residents.{{cite news|last=Hovitz |first=Helaina N. |date=October 16–22, 2009 |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_338/rectorstreet.html |title=Rector St. bridge reopens, elevator still a work in progress |work=Downtown Express |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907192401/http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_338/rectorstreet.html |archive-date=September 7, 2015}}

The New York City Economic Development Corporation planned for the Rector Street Bridge to be closed when the West Thames Street Bridge one block south opened. Upon the latter's completion in late 2019, residents of Battery Park City lobbied the city to keep the Rector Street Bridge open, saying that it had become a semi-permanent fixture of the neighborhood within its 17 years of operation.{{Cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/5712614/|title=Controversy over replacement of temporary Rector Street pedestrian bridge|last=Dolan|first=Jim|date=November 22, 2019|website=ABC7 New York|language=en|access-date=March 6, 2020}} Despite this, in early 2020, the Rector Street Bridge was demolished.{{Cite web|date=February 11, 2020|url=https://tribecacitizen.com/2020/02/11/seen-heard-rector-street-bridge-coming-down/|title=Seen & Heard: Rector Street Bridge coming down|website=Tribeca Citizen|language=en-US|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

File:West Thames St Pedestrian Bridge jeh.jpg

Designs for the new, permanent West Thames Street Bridge, near the entrance of the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, were created in 2009 by SHoP Architects.{{Cite web|last=Plagianos|first=Irene|date=June 6, 2013|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130606/battery-park-city/latest-design-revealed-for-west-thames-street-pedestrian-bridge|title=Latest Design Revealed for West Thames Street Pedestrian Bridge|website=DNAinfo New York|access-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105094440/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130606/battery-park-city/latest-design-revealed-for-west-thames-street-pedestrian-bridge|archive-date=November 5, 2016}} The bridge would run diagonally between the northeast and southwest corners of West and West Thames Streets. SHoP Architects' design was later scrapped, and a newer design was created in 2013 by WXY Architecture and Weidlinger Associates. The {{convert|230|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} bridge, officially the Robert R. Douglass Bridge, allows pedestrians to cross over West Street from West Thames Street in Battery Park City to Joseph P. Ward Street in the Financial District. The bridge is a two-span lenticular truss bridge designed by Thornton Tomasetti and WXY Architecture.{{Cite news|last=Ricciulli|first=Valeria|date=May 30, 2019|title=Long-awaited lower Manhattan pedestrian bridge will open this fall|work=Curbed New York|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/5/30/18644765/west-thames-pedestrian-bridge-battery-park-financial-district|access-date=July 22, 2021}}

The West Thames Street Bridge replaced the Rector Street Bridge.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ebroadsheet.com/bridge-hand-worth-two-budget/|title=A Bridge in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Budget|last=Fenton|first=Matthew|date=November 3, 2016|newspaper=eBroadsheet|language=en-US|access-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105094713/http://www.ebroadsheet.com/bridge-hand-worth-two-budget/|archive-date=November 5, 2016}} Construction of the new bridge began at the end of November 2016. The construction cost of the West Thames Street Bridge has increased over time. It was estimated to be $45.1 million in September 2016, though was previously estimated in November 2015 to cost $27.5 million. Funding for the bridge includes $33 million from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (with funding reduced towards “New York City Parks and Open Space"), and $8.25 million from the Battery Park City Authority.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ebroadsheet.com/a-matter-of-truss/|title=A Matter of Truss|date=September 15, 2016|newspaper=eBroadsheet|language=en-US|access-date=November 6, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927051044/http://www.ebroadsheet.com/a-matter-of-truss/|archive-date=September 27, 2016}} Work on the West Thames Street Bridge was initially scheduled to be completed by fall 2018. However, in August 2018, it was announced that the bridge's completion was delayed due to a weld defect, and would not be completed before spring 2019.{{cite web | last=Rosenberg | first=Zoe | title=Lower Manhattan pedestrian bridge gets pushed back again | website=Curbed NY | date=August 2, 2018 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/8/2/17643222/west-thames-street-pedestrian-bridge-delayed | access-date=February 10, 2019}}{{cite web | last=Mixson | first=Colin | title=A bridge too late: Long-awaited West Thames footbridge delayed yet again | website=The Villager | date=August 20, 2018 | url=https://www.thevillager.com/2018/08/a-bridge-too-late-long-awaited-west-thames-footbridge-delayed-yet-again/ | access-date=February 10, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011737/https://www.thevillager.com/2018/08/a-bridge-too-late-long-awaited-west-thames-footbridge-delayed-yet-again/ |archive-date=February 12, 2019}}{{cite web | title=Lower Manhattan pedestrian bridge over West Street delayed again | website=Crain's New York Business | last=Geiger | first=Daniel | date=July 1, 2018 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180801/REAL_ESTATE/180809990/lower-manhattan-pedestrian-bridge-over-west-street-delayed-again | access-date=February 10, 2019}} In May 2019, the first pieces of the bridge were delivered to the site and installed.{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-york/downtown-nyc/long-awaited-west-thames-pedestrian-bridge-installation-begins|title=Long-Awaited West Thames Pedestrian Bridge Installation Begins|last=Pereira|first=Sydney|date=May 29, 2019|website=Tribeca-FiDi, NY Patch|language=en|access-date=May 30, 2019}} It was completed by late 2019.{{cite web | last=Chung | first=Lori | title=Battery Park City Residents Want Temporary Span to Stay | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=November 22, 2019 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/11/22/battery-park-city-rector-street-bridge-west-thames-community- | access-date=December 4, 2019}}

On June 11, 2021, the bridge was dedicated in honor of Robert R. Douglass.{{Cite press release|date=June 11, 2021|title=NYCEDC, City and State Officials, and Lower Manhattan Community Celebrate Dedication of West Thames Street Bridge for Robert R. Douglass|url=https://edc.nyc/press-release/nycedc-city-and-state-officials-and-lower-manhattan-community-celebrate-dedication|access-date=July 22, 2021|agency=New York City Economic Development Corporation|language=en}} Douglass, who died 2016, was an early advocate for lower Manhattan as a senior advisor to Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller from 1965 to 1972 and later as a founding member and chairman of the Downtown Alliance and board member of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The idea of naming the bridge in Douglass’ honor came from Charles J. Urstadt, the first chairman of the Battery Park City Authority.{{Cite web|last=Fenton|first=Matthew|date=July 21, 2021|title=West Thames Pedestrian Bridge Dedicated in Honor of Downtown's Civic Champion, at Urging of Battery Park City's Founder|url=https://www.ebroadsheet.com/the-broadsheetdaily-lower-manhattans-local-newspaper-7-21-21-west-thames-pedestrian-bridge-dedicated-in-honor-of-downtowns-civic-champion-at-urging-of-battery-park-citys-fou/|newspaper=eBroadsheet|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722171245/https://www.ebroadsheet.com/the-broadsheetdaily-lower-manhattans-local-newspaper-7-21-21-west-thames-pedestrian-bridge-dedicated-in-honor-of-downtowns-civic-champion-at-urging-of-battery-park-citys-fou/|archive-date=July 22, 2021}}

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• [http://www.renewnyc.com/content/pdfs/west-thames-st-pedestrian-bridge/EAWestThamesStPedBridge.pdf Environmental Assessment] - West Thames St. Pedestrian Bridge

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