Could the closed-off Harlem River High Bridge be uptown's future High Line Park? The 162 year old High Bridge was orignally an aqueduct but became a popular pedestrian thoroughfare by the end of the 19th Century. The landmark bridge has been closed down since the 1970's but the city now wants ideas on how to open it up again and restore it for public use. We have been posting old photos of the bridge that connects Washington Height to the Bronx for some time now and, in our opinion, this would even be more spectacular than the Highline park downtown. The High Bridge is much taller and architecturally grand than the High Line train tracks in West Chelsea and thus the river vistas provided will be literally more breathtaking. The center archival image (click to enlarge) shows a grand stairwell that might have been just an original plan in the mid 19th century but looks like it could work today. The last image shows the high bridge in more recent years with its modern steel arch that replaced some of the stone originals in 1927 (to make room for big ships passing through this end of the Harlem River). Read more details on the upcoming meeting to redesign the High Bridge in today's NY Daily News: LINK. Archival photos courtesy of NYPL. Read all subjects High Bridge related in our past post: LINK
A similar bridge was recently opened up to the public that runs from Poughkeepsie to Highland. Also - a gorgeous view. I hope they proceed in that direction.
ReplyDeleteThere is a tour of high bridge and the surrounding area tomorrow at 1pm. go to the high bridge coalition for more info.
ReplyDeleteThere has over the years tons of money given to rehab the Aquaduct for pedestrian use. In 2008 the Mayor, Parks Commish,and other politicos held a news conference at the Aquaduct entrance, in which 60 million was allocated to the rehabing of the Viaduct which was to be completed and opened in the summer of 2010. During the Dinking adminstration he set aside money to replace the Chime back into the tower after a fire in the 80's.
ReplyDeleteThis project is nothing but a "Pork Barrel" that will never be started or completed.
By the way, the Park Rangers gives tours to the top of the water tower. The view is breath taking from the top.
Great news. There is more information at highbridgeparkdevelopment.blogspot.com for those interested. They seem to be adding to it daily.
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