New York: Did you know there are more than 2000 bridges and tunnels in NYC?

No it's not a mistake!!! You better believe it!!! Are you surprised? Don't be!!!

New York City is surrounded by water, therefore, bridges and tunnels are essential to get around. Simply note that only the island of Manhattan is connected to the rest Boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island) or states through 21 bridges. Moreover, NYC bridges stand as landmarks for the city's parks and waterfronts.

Here are the ten most important bridges around NYC:

1. The Brooklyn Bridge: opened on May 24, 1883 and it connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. It has a total length of 5989 ft (approx.1,8 km) and it is one of the four toll-free bridges. It was the longest bridge worldwide at the time it was built. Since its opening is considered a NYC symbol and a major tourist attraction.

2. The Manhattan Bridge: opened on December 31, 1909 and it connects Lower Manhattan with Downtown Brooklyn. The bridge's total length is 6,855 ft (approx.2,1 km) and it's a toll-free bridge.

3.The Verrazzano Bridge: is a double-decked bridge, linking Brooklyn and Staten Island. The bridge consists of 13 lanes, 7 on the upper level and 6 on the lower. The upper level of the bridge was officially opened on November 21, 1964 and the lower deck on June 28,1969. It is the longest bridge in NYC with a total length of 13700 ft (approx.4 km). It is also the nation's most expensive bridge to cross with a $19 one way toll rate.

4.The Queensboro Bridge: officially named the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and also known as the 59th Street Bridge was completed in 1909 and it connects Manhattan with Queens. It is a double-decked bridge which carries 9 lanes (4 upper and 5 lower), it has an overall length of 3725 ft (approx.1 km) and it is toll-free.

5. The George Washington Bridge: is a double-decked bridge which carries 14 lanes (8 upper deck, 6 lower deck) and connects Manhattan with New Jersey. It is named after the first President of U.S.A and has a total length of 4760 ft (approx.1,5 km).

6. The Williamsburg Bridge: opened on December 19, 1903 and has a total length of 7308 ft (approx.2 km). The bridge is toll-free and links Brooklyn with Manhattan. The Williamsburg bridge is well known for its functional significance as it consists of 8 vehicular lanes, 2 subway tracks, pedestrian walkways and a bike lane.

7. The Triborough Bridge/Robert F. Kennedy Bridge: officially named the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge is actually a complex of three bridges, a viaduct and 14 miles of roadway connecting Queens, Bronx and Manhattan. It is a toll bridge which opened on July 11, 1936 and has a total length of 2780 ft (approx.847 m).

8. The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge: was officially opened on April 29,1939 and connects Queens with the Bronx. It is a toll bridge, which consists of 6 lanes with a total length of 3770 ft. (approx.1,2 km).

9. The Kosciuszko Bridge: is connecting Brooklyn to Queens and it is part of the Brooklyn - Queens Expressway (BQE). The first bridge opened on August 13, 1939 but was closed and demolished in 2017. The new eastbound bridge opened on April 27, 2017 and the westbound on August 29, 2019. The total length of the bridge is 6021 ft (approx. 1,8 km).

10. The Henry Hudson Bridge: is a double-decked bridge which links Manhattan to Bronx that was opened on December 12, 1936. It has a total length of 2208 ft (approx.673 m) and carries 7 lanes (3 lanes upper level, 4 lanes lower level.) It is also a toll crossing.

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