Bridges

Bridges over the Gowanus Canal

Union Street Bridge

The Union Street Bridge is a double leaf Scherzer rolling lift bascule supporting Union Street over the Gowanus Canal in the borough of Brooklyn. The bridge has two vehicular traffic lanes, each approximately 17 feet wide, and two sidewalks, each 6 feet wide. Both traffic lanes carry eastbound traffic.

Union Street Bridge Facts

• Bridge ID Number 2-24027-0
• Type Bascule
• Location Bond & Nevins Sts.
• Waterway Gowanus Canal
• Miles from Mouth 2.1
• Channels 1
• Total Cost $85,206.85
• Date Opened March 4, 1905

Carroll Street Bridge

The Carroll Street Bridge is a retractile bridge crossing the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. The bridge, which was opened to traffic in 1889, supports a 17 foot wide roadway and two 4.5 foot sidewalks.

Carroll Street Bridge Facts

• Bridge ID Number 2-24026-0
• Borough Brooklyn
• Type Retractile
• Location Bond & Nevins Sts.
• Waterway Gowanus Canal
• Miles from Mouth 2.0
• Channels 1
• Total Cost $36,742.58
• Date Opened 1889

Third Street Bridge

The Third Street Bridge is a double-leaf Scherzer rolling lift bascule, supporting Third Street over the Gowanus Canal in the Borough of Brooklyn. It supports two vehicular traffic lanes, each approximately 16 feet wide, and two sidewalks, each six feet wide.

Initially constructed around 1905, the bridge was comprehensively rehabilitated in 1986. This included new mechanical and electrical equipment, and a partial structural rehabilitation.

Third Street Bridge Facts

• Bridge ID Number 2-24025-0
• Type Bascule
• Location Bond Street & 3rd Avenue
• Waterway Gowanus Canal
• Miles from Mouth 1.8
• Channels 1
• Total Cost $188,397.05
• Date Opened Mar. 31, 1905

Ninth Street Bridge

This lift bridge replaced a bascule span that was in an advanced state of deterioration. The current structure provides an improved wider channel in the canal for unobstructed vessel passage. The bridge has state-of-the-art, electronically-controlled lifting machinery that should provide 50 years of reliable service. The bridge carries 3 lanes of traffic; 2 lanes westbound and 1 eastbound.

The bridge was under rehab from 1995 through September 1999.

Ninth Street Bridge Facts

• Bridge ID Number 2-24024-0
• Type Vertical Lift
• Location Smith Street & 2nd Avenue
• Waterway Gowanus Canal
• Miles from Mouth 1.5
• Channels 0
• Total Cost $35,000,000.00
• Date Opened September 1, 1999

Hamilton Avenue Bridge

The Hamilton Avenue Bridge is a bascule bridge with two parallel leafs, one carrying the northbound roadway and the other carrying the southbound roadway. Most of the length of Hamilton Avenue runs below the elevated portion of the Gowanus Expressway, including the bridge. The bridge connects Smith Street and Second Avenue over the Gowanus Canal and is the first canal crossing north of the Gowanus Bay.

Reconstruction Project

DOT reconstructed the Hamilton Avenue Bridge in 2008-09, which was built in 1942. The new bridge features all-new mechanical and electrical operating systems, an improved fender system and navigation lighting for marine traffic, wider traffic lanes, and other improvements. The cost of the reconstruction was over $55 million.

Hamilton Avenue Bridge Facts

• Bridge ID Number 2-24023-1
• Type Bascule
• Location Smith & 2nd Sts.
• Waterway Gowanus Canal
• Miles from Mouth 1.2
• Channels 1
• Total Cost $1,910,500.00
• Date Opened August 27, 1942