Manhattan Bridge Turns 100

NEW YORK - The Manhattan Bridge, the youngest of the four East River Bridges, celebrated its 100th birthday today. But with 375,000 New Yorkers crossing it everyday it is perhaps the most important bridge in New York City.

A fireworks show and a parade of vintage cars were only part of the festivities.

“The Brooklyn Bridge may be the sexy bridge, but the Manhattan Bridge moves more people everyday,” said New York City Bridge Centennial Commission President Sam Schwartz.

Manhattan School of Music brass quintet played through the night as hundreds of New Yorkers enjoyed the sights and sounds.

The celebration began early with a parade of vintage cars.and ended with a time capsule with an opening date of 2109 for future New Yorkers.
The 1,470-foot span suspension bridge had been plagued with problems stemming from its design by Leon Moisseiff until it began undergoing rehabilitation in the 1980s.

Visit the <a href="http://www.nycbridges100.org/manhattan-events.php">New York City Centennial Bridge Commission</a> website for a listing of events throughout October.