SUSPENSION BRIDGES THE TALE OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

SUSPENSION BRIDGES: THE TALE OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE Nicole Gonzalez Roldan

WHAT IS A SUSPENSION BRIDGE? • A bridge in which the deck/roadway is supported by vertical suspenders on main cables connected to two towers and anchored at both ends. • The weight of the deck/roadway is supported by the vertical cables; the vertical cables are held up by the main cables which transfer tension onto the towers. Meaning the towers support the majority of the weight being compressed, until the weight is then transferred to the anchors and passes to the ground. • The anchors are solid rock which hold the main cables and are at both ends of the bridge. • Suspension bridges can go anywhere from 2, 000 -7, 000 feet in length. • Though because of the design and materials needed, they are the most expensive type of bridge to build. But there’s no other type of bridge that can reach the same distances.

HISTORY OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE • The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John Augustus Roebling. • Production began in 1870. • It took 15. 5 million dollars for the bridge to be completed. • Took 27 lives in the making. • It was opened to the public on May 24, 1883; making it the longest suspension bridge of its time.

THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE • The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous suspension bridges known; because of its location and its great length of 1. 8 kilometers. • The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. • With a width of 25. 9 meters and a height of 84. 3 meters above water, the total length is equivalent to 1, 825. 4 meters. • Fun fact: the Brooklyn Bridge is actually a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge.