Symmetrical splendor
It had become entirely normal by the early 1900s, for new bridge construction to be mired in controversy and tragedy. There were innumerable points of view about compression, tension, cost and other technical and financial concerns. Attention to worker safety and their rights were sadly lacking, at the same time. The Queensboro Bridge was inaugurated on March 30 1909, with fanfare and fireworks as a smokescreen for a bill of $ 20 million and 50 lives of unprotected laborers. The Queensboro Bridge was built for trains and trolleys. The rail tracks did not last even until the end of World War II and the last of the trolleys was seen around 1950. The Queensboro Bridge has been quick and agile to adapt to changing transport habits, and gradually transformed both decks for vehicles, for which it has had 10 lanes since the 1980s. More than 200 thousand vehicles use it every day, making it one of the busiest bridges in the world. There are facilities for cyclists and pedestrians as well. The elegant Queensboro Bridge has served the community with devotion for almost a century now. It has reigned during a period of unprecedented prosperity for New York, remaining steadfast even during the depths of the depression. It can stake claim to have had a considerable hand in the transformation of Queens from a rustic and somnolent countryside, to a beehive of activity that has leveraged the tinsel world of Manhattan for its own benefit. The Queensboro Bridge is also the start of NY 25, which is more than 100 miles long, and reaches all the way to East Point in Long Island. Bridges need maintenance and a major make-over every so many decades: the Queensboro is no different in this respect. 1987 saw the start of a major multi-million dollar project to repair and to upgrade the Queensboro Bridge. The first step involved resurfacing the lanes for vehicles and strengthening the basic structure. This took 5 years. The restoration project has gone beyond the bridge itself and extended to the neighborhood around the Manhattan end of the Queensboro Bridge. This part was done around 2000 and has resulted in the opening of exclusive retail stores and a fine restaurant. Ownership and tolls now mire the rejuvenated lady in some crass debate. There has been talk of the local administration transferring ownership in a bid to raise revenue, and a proposal to raise substantial toll revenue. New York State is less than enthusiastic about such local proposals, and it is to be hoped that the perspective and interests of thousand of commuters who use the Queensboro Bridge every day, will be protected.
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The beauty of the Queensboro Bridge lies in its uniform repetition of sets of intricate patterns throughout its length. Since this requires some close and even lengthy inspection, suitors who want love at first sight are disappointed. Do not expect the Queensboro Bridge to stoop to the level of skimpy g-strings of steel to gain your attention. Her regal ensemble is meant for people of discerning taste who can appreciate the fine craft of crochet in steel. Simon and Garfunkel have raised public consciousness of the Queensboro Bridge with their memorable tunes about the ‘59th Street Bridge’.