Editing Queensboro Bridge (section)

==== Pier construction and proposed modifications ====
R. S. Buck and his assistants were directed to prepare plans for the sites of the bridge's piers, anchorages, and [[Foundation (evidence)|foundations]].<ref name="n134908111" /><ref name="p910589327" /> The Department of Bridges received bids for the foundations in June 1901, with Ryan & Parker as the low bidder.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1901 |title=Bids for Piers of Bridge No. 4 |pages=5 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bids-for-piers-of-bri/134908453/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-bids-for-piers-of-bri/134908453/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1901 |title=Dady Was a Bidder |pages=1 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-dady-was-a-bidder/134908475/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203659/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-dady-was-a-bidder/134908475/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Groundbreaking]] took place that September.<ref name="p126873067" /> After [[Seth Low]] was elected as the city's mayor in late 1901, he promised that work would continue, even though the city's new bridge commissioner, [[Gustav Lindenthal]], wanted to temporarily halt construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1901 |title=Work on Bridge No. 4 Must Not Be Stopped |pages=9 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-on-bridge/134909474/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109203657/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-work-on-bridge/134909474/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lindenthal narrowed the bridge from {{convert|120|to|80|ft}}.<ref name="p571246864">{{cite news |date=July 1, 1902 |title=Builders Defy Lindenthal: Refuse to Suspend Work on Blackwell's Island Bridge Pending Adoption of New Plans |page=4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571246864}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 1, 1902 |title=Width of Blackwell's Island Bridge Altered; Mr. Ladenthal Announces Reduction from 120 to 80 Feet. Refises to Discuss Changes in Plans for New Structure – Pier Contractors Decline to Suspend Work. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/01/archives/width-of-blackwells-island-bridge-altered-mr-ladenthal-announces.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215109/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/07/01/archives/width-of-blackwells-island-bridge-altered-mr-ladenthal-announces.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The modifications would allow the city to save $850,000<ref name="The New York Times 1902 m831">{{cite web |date=August 23, 1902 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Changes; Details Explained to Delegation from Queens County. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/08/23/archives/blackwells-island-bridge-changes-details-explained-to-delegation.html |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215111/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/08/23/archives/blackwells-island-bridge-changes-details-explained-to-delegation.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1901|value=0.85|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} while allowing the city to build toll booths, as well as stairs and elevators to Blackwell's Island, within these piers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 12, 1902 |title=Lindenthal Satisfied |pages=2 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-satisfied/134914160/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215107/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-lindenthal-satisfied/134914160/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To compensate for the reduced width, a {{convert|45|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} upper deck would be built.<ref name="The New York Times 1902 m831" /> By January 1902, only $42,000 had been spent on the project.<ref name="p126873067" />{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1902|value=45000|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}

In June 1902, a subcommittee of the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] requested another $5 million for construction.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 14, 1902 |title=To Oust Horgan & Slattery: Controller Advises This Course-- Money for Interior Baths |page=6 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571204384}}}}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1902|value=5|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} The same month, Lindenthal ordered Ryan & Parker to stop working on the bridge, but the firm refused to comply with his order,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1902 |title=Defies Lindenthal's Order to Stop Work |pages=1 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-defies-lindenthals-order-to/134913600/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-defies-lindenthals-order-to/134913600/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 1902 |title=Contractors Disobey Lindenthal: The Commissioner Wants to Changed Plans of Blackwell's Island Bridge, It Is Said |page=9 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571102043}}}}</ref> saying they would lose large amounts of money if work were halted.<ref name="p571246864" /> Lindenthal submitted the modified plans to the [[Municipal Art Society]] for approval but withdrew them that July,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 3, 1902 |title=Lindenthal Withdraws Plans: Those of Blackwell's Island Bridge Taken Away From Municipal Art Commission, Which Wants a New Set |page=4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571137129}}}}</ref> and he also allowed Ryan & Parker to continue constructing the piers.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 4, 1902 |title=Compromise on Pier Work: Lindenthal Permits the Contractors to Go Ahead Under Contract |page=4 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571152204}}}}</ref> Lindenthal decided to significantly modify his plans.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1902 |title=No Change on Bridge No. 4 |pages=6 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-change-on-br/134955613/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175022/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-change-on-br/134955613/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Queens residents strongly protested any design changes,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1902 |title="No Delay on Bridge 4" Cry Queens Co. People |pages=2 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-delay-on-br/134955770/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175026/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-no-delay-on-br/134955770/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=July 21, 1902 |title=Mayor Rebukes a Committee of Five |pages=1 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-rebukes-a-commi/134955836/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-rebukes-a-commi/134955836/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Lindenthal finally agreed not to change the bridge's width.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1902 |title=Mayor Low Stops Lindenthal's Plan |pages=1 |work=The Standard Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-low-stops-linde/134959359/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |postscript=none |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202613/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mayor-low-stops-linde/134959359/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=July 22, 1902 |title=Withdrawn by Lindenthal |pages=2 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-withdrawn-by-lindenthal/134959377/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-withdrawn-by-lindenthal/134959377/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By mid-1902, Lindenthal was requesting an additional $3.78 million for the bridge's completion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1902 |title=Lindenthal Requests $6,700,000 For Bridges |pages=3 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-lindenthal-requ/134958071/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202607/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-lindenthal-requ/134958071/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1902|value=3.78|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} In October, a special committee recommended that Lindenthal's plans be rejected, saying that it would cost the city more if construction were halted and that two other East River bridges were also about 120 feet wide.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 3, 1902 |title=The Blackwell's Island Bridge Plans |magazine=Railroad Gazette |volume=34 |issue=40 |page=755 |id={{ProQuest|910600723}}}}</ref> City comptroller [[Edward M. Grout]], meanwhile, wanted workers to divert their efforts to the Manhattan Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 23, 1902 |title=Is After Lindenthal |pages=4 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-is-after-lindenthal/134953278/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175024/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-is-after-lindenthal/134953278/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Low appointed a group of engineering experts that November to review Lindenthal's revised plans.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 4, 1902 |title=Experts for Blackwell's Island Bridge |page=11 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|1013638329}}}}</ref> The experts concluded that neither the original proposal nor Lindenthal's revision were sufficient and suggested that the bridge instead be {{convert|91|ft}} wide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1902 |title=Bridge Experts' Plan; Changes Proposed for Blackwell's Island Structure. Original Plan and Commissioner Lindenthal's Plan Not Considered Satisfactory – Mayor Low's Approval. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/12/14/archives/bridge-experts-plan-changes-proposed-for-blackwells-island.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110175022/https://www.nytimes.com/1902/12/14/archives/bridge-experts-plan-changes-proposed-for-blackwells-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 14, 1902 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge Plan: Mayor Recommends That of Commission of Experts Appointed by Him |page=3 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571262824}}}}</ref> The approaches retained their original 120-foot width,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1904 |title=Engineers Talk With Committee of Forty |pages=7 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-engineers-talk-with-committe/134969085/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-engineers-talk-with-committe/134969085/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as did the piers themselves.<ref name="n135219221">{{Cite news |date=April 15, 1905 |title=Something Doing Now on Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=11 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-something-doing-now-on-black/135219221/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115022126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-something-doing-now-on-black/135219221/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Henry Hornbostel]] was directed in early 1903 to prepare drawings of the bridge's towers and roadway,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 12, 1903 |title=Bridge Experts Named; Mayor Low Appoints Commission for Manhattan Structure. Lieut. Col. Raymond, George S. Morison, C.C. Schneider, H.W. Hodge, And Prof. Merriman to Pass on the Plans – The BlackWell's Island Bridge. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/02/12/archives/bridge-experts-named-mayor-low-appoints-commission-for-manhattan.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202607/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/02/12/archives/bridge-experts-named-mayor-low-appoints-commission-for-manhattan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> though no architectural contract had been awarded yet.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 9, 1903 |title=Grout Will Hold Up Hornbostel's Bills |pages=1 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-grout-will-hold-up-hornboste/134960631/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202618/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-grout-will-hold-up-hornboste/134960631/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By mid-1903, the piers were two-thirds completed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1903 |title=Salary List Increases in Bridge Department |pages=6 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-salary-list-increas/134962120/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202607/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-salary-list-increas/134962120/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The bedrock under the Queens side of the bridge was very close to the ground, so work on the piers in Queens was able to proceed more rapidly than work on the other piers.<ref name="n134965012" /> The Board of Estimate appropriated an additional $3.86 million for the bridge's construction in July 1903.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1903 |title=Board of Estimate Votes $8,000,000; City Appropriations for Many Purposes Passed. Blackweil's Island Bridge Gets $3,860,000 And Williamsburg Bridge $1,550,000 – Croton Dam Track Change Approved. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/07/02/archives/board-of-estimate-votes-8000000-city-appropriations-for-many.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202607/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/07/02/archives/board-of-estimate-votes-8000000-city-appropriations-for-many.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1903|value=3.86|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} Low rejected a plan for widening 59th Street to serve as the bridge's Manhattan approach,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|571301684}} |title=Too Costly, Says Mayor: Would Veto Present Fifty-Ninth-St. Widening Plan |date=July 23, 1903 |page=14 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 23, 1903 |title=Blocks Street Widening; Mayor Low Defeats Plan to Improve Fifty-ninth Street. Threatens Before Board of Estimate to Use Veto Power – Says Plan Would Be Too Costly. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/07/23/archives/blocks-street-widening-mayor-low-defeats-plan-to-improve-fiftyninth.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202607/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/07/23/archives/blocks-street-widening-mayor-low-defeats-plan-to-improve-fiftyninth.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Queens residents disagreed over plans for the Queens approach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1903 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge |pages=4 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/134962534/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridge/134962534/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The final plans called for the Queens approach to end at Crescent Street; a new boulevard, [[Queens Plaza (Queens)|Queens Plaza]], would connect the approach to [[New York State Route 25A|Jackson Avenue]] and [[Queens Boulevard]].<ref name="n135270495">{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1906 |title=What Blackwell's Island Bridge Will Do for Queens |pages=23 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-what-blackwells-island-brid/135270495/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021754/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-what-blackwells-island-brid/135270495/ |url-status=live }}</ref> All of the piers were finished by May 1904,<ref name="p571537619" /><ref name="n134969352" /> and city officials inspected the bridge's piers that July.<ref name="n134967934" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1904 |title=Lindenthal Objects to Wire Gable Plan; Should Not Be Used on Manhattan Bridge. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1904/07/14/archives/lindenthal-objects-to-wire-gable-plan-should-not-be-used-on.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214238/https://www.nytimes.com/1904/07/14/archives/lindenthal-objects-to-wire-gable-plan-should-not-be-used-on.html |url-status=live }}</ref>