New York City’s bridges are pretty beloved…the Brooklyn Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, the George Washington Bridge. And that’s only to name a few.
But what about the oldest bridge in NYC—one that dates all the way back to 1848?
That’s right, the historic High Bridge goes all the way back to the 19th century, and you probably had no idea it even existed.
The High Bridge is located along the Hudson River and connects Manhattan (around W 178th St) with The Bronx (around University Avenue).
It opened back in 1848 and was originally built as part of the Croton Aqueduct system, which was the city’s first reliable water supply, carrying water from Westchester County into Manhattan.
The High Bridge’s unique design and function
The bridge’s construction goes back way before its completion day, and was initially conceived as a stone arch bridge, directly modeled after ancient Roman aqueducts.
It featured 16 stone arches and stretched 1,450 feet long and 140 feet high, making it the longest and highest bridge attempted in the U.S. at that time.
Serving as an engineering milestone at the time, the building required new strategies that were highly innovative such as driving pilings deep into the riverbed to support five of the piers, and using thin, tall piers to lighten the load of the upper masonry.
But what makes it so different?! It was never meant for vehicles to drive over.
That’s right, the High Bridge was not built for vehicles or trains, but to carry two 48-inch iron water pipes—the final link in the Croton Aqueduct system.
This was a critical infrastructure project for the city’s survival and growth, making the bridge a lifeline for locals rather than a transportation corridor.
Later on, the High Bridge Water Tower would be constructed on the bridge’s Manhattan side to work in tandem with the bridge, helping pump water up to a reservoir and then to a tank atop the tower to provide water pressure to higher elevations in Manhattan.
Then in 1864, a pedestrian walkway was added so New Yorkers could stroll the one-of-a-kind bridge and take in panoramic views or ride bikes.
The High Bridge’s new facelift and visiting it today
Over the years, the bridge has been in many different eras…including closing and being neglected for several decades.
That was until 2009, when the state approved a $61 million dollar project to restore NYC’s oldest bridge and bring it back to life.
Turning it into a renovated spot for pedestrians and cyclists, the restoration included stabilizing and conserving the original aqueduct pipe beneath the walkway, touching up the arches, fixing up the brick walkway, railings, and lightning, plus so much more.
It eventually reopened on June 9, 2015 after 40 years of being closed.
And today, you can still visit it!
Enter from Highbridge Park in Manhattan (near West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue) or from University Avenue and 170th Street in the Bronx—both sides even offer ADA-accessible ramps.
You’ll be able to see Manhattan’s skyline, the aforementioned water tower, and even new bronze medallions with historical facts that were installed during the renovation project.