The Manhattan Bridge was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. It has four vehicle lanes on the upper level, split between two roadways. The lower level has three lanes, four subway tracks, a walkway and a bikeway. The upper level, originally used for streetcars, has two lanes in each direction, and the lower level is one-way and has three lanes in peak direction. The bridge once carried New York State Route 27 and later was planned to carry Interstate 478. The bridge opened to traffic on December 31, 1909.
![Temporary foot path atop Manhattan Bridge, New York Creator(s): Bain News Service, publisher Date Created/Published: [no date recorded on caption card]](https://monovisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/vintage-manhattan-bridge-under-construction-new-york-1907-03.jpg)
Temporary foot path atop Manhattan Bridge, New York. Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1907
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1909
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction – attaching the drop cables, 1903
Footpaths on new Manhattan Bridge. Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1907
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1908
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1908
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1908
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1909
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1907
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1909
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1912
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, march 1909
Vintage: Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, New York, 1906
Vintage: Aerial view of Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge, New York, 1913
