Editing Queensboro Bridge (section)

==== 1920s modifications and new roadway ====
The Manhattan approach viaduct was repaired in 1920,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 28, 1920 |title=Manhattan Bridge Road Being Repaired: Motorists From Long Island Instructed to Follow Car Tracks to Right Motorists Light Lamps |work=New-York Tribune |page=7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576280384}}}}</ref> and city officials began adding a concrete pavement to the bridge in mid-1924.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 27, 1924 |title=Avoid Queensboro Bridge To Relieve Congestion: Resurfacing of Structure Will Take From Four to Six Months |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |page=A14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113028349}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 27, 1924 |title=Resurfacing Queensboro Bridge Under Way |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-resurfacing-queensbor/138249405/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=17 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107210114/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-resurfacing-queensbor/138249405/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Engineers determined at the time that a hard-surfaced roadway would be too heavy for the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1221584948}} |title=Stretch of Safety Pavement Will Be Installed This Week On Queensboro Bridge Roadway |date=April 21, 1935 |page=A6 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646}}</ref> Queens borough president [[Maurice E. Connolly]] said the weight of trucks had caused the steel [[buckle plate]]s under the pavement to break,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1925 |title=Trucks Weakened Queensboro Bridge; Connolly Declares Congestion Is Due to Replacing of Supports Crushed by Heavy Loads. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/08/archives/trucks-weakened-queensboro-bridge-connolly-declares-congestion-is.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107204905/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/08/archives/trucks-weakened-queensboro-bridge-connolly-declares-congestion-is.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=October 8, 1925 |title=Heavy Traffic Wrecks Bridge Buckle Plates |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-heavy-traffic-wrecks/138250813/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=24 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107210117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-heavy-traffic-wrecks/138250813/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=October 8, 1925 |title=Queens Bridge, Bent Under Heavy Loads, Unsafe for Traffic |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge/138250884/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=23 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107210113/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge/138250884/ |url-status=live }}</ref> though the commissioner of the city's Plant and Structure Department said the bridge was still safe and that stronger plates were being installed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 1925 |title=Queens Bridge Is Safe—Mills |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge-i/138253088/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=24 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge-i/138253088/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, Manhattan borough president [[Julius Miller]] proposed a plaza and a new approach road at the Manhattan end in 1924,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 19, 1924 |title=New Street Planned To Abate Crush at Queensboro Bridge: Project Submitted to Board of Estimate Calls for Expenditure of $1,080,000 For Property Acquisition |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |page=20 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112973057}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 19, 1924 |title=Wants New Street for Bridge Traffic; Miller Offers Plan to Relieve Congestion at the Manhattan End of Queensboro. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/05/19/archives/wants-new-street-for-bridge-traffic-miller-offers-plan-to-relieve.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107195901/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/05/19/archives/wants-new-street-for-bridge-traffic-miller-offers-plan-to-relieve.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and he submitted plans to acquire property for the plaza and road later the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1924 |title=Asks City to Help Queensboro Bridge; Commissioner Mills Submits Plan to Acquire $528,000 In Property for New Approach. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/09/archives/asks-city-to-help-queensboro-bridge-commissioner-mills-submits-plan.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107204906/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/10/09/archives/asks-city-to-help-queensboro-bridge-commissioner-mills-submits-plan.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=October 8, 1924 |title=Mills Has Plan to End Congestion on Queensboro Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mills-has-plan-to-end/138247898/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=1 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107210112/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-mills-has-plan-to-end/138247898/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Miller revised his plans in 1925, calling for a tunnel under Second Avenue and a new street east of the avenue between 57th and 63rd streets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 29, 1925 |title=Miller Plan for Tube to Bridge Plaza Wins; Estimate Board Committee Authorizes Tunnel Under Second Av. To Queensboro Span. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/29/archives/miller-plan-for-tube-to-bridge-plaza-wins-estimate-board-committee.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107204904/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/29/archives/miller-plan-for-tube-to-bridge-plaza-wins-estimate-board-committee.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=November 1, 1925 |title=Queensboro Bridge Relief Seen by May |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-queensboro-bridge-relief-seen/138251270/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=77 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107210116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-queensboro-bridge-relief-seen/138251270/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To alleviate congestion, one of the bridge's lanes was used as a [[reversible lane]] during peak hours.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|180843509}} |title=New York Tries Four Lane Plan on Its Bridges: Three-Quarter Idea for Rush Hours |date=March 15, 1927 |page=15 |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |issn=1085-6706}}</ref>

In late 1926, Plant and Structure commissioner Albert Goldman proposed adding three vehicular lanes and removing the bridge's footpaths;<ref>{{cite web |title=Has Plan to Ease Queens Bridge Jam; Goldman Proposes to Do Away With Footpaths and to Add Three Vehicular Lanes. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=December 3, 1926 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/12/03/archives/has-plan-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-goldman-proposes-to-do-away-with.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107214243/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/12/03/archives/has-plan-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-goldman-proposes-to-do-away-with.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=December 12, 1926 |title=Three New Lanes Urged to Ease Bridge Jams |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-three-new-lanes-urged-to-ease/138253712/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=102 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215204/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-three-new-lanes-urged-to-ease/138253712/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n138259820" /> the proposal also called for new approaches at either end and relocation of the elevated tracks.<ref name="n138259820">{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1926 |title=Plans to Revise Queensboro Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-plans-to-revise-queensboro-s/138259820/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=44 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107232926/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-plans-to-revise-queensboro-s/138259820/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Merchants Association<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|512104318}} |title=Added Traffic Lanes on Bridge Proposed |date=February 7, 1927 |page=5A |work=The Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}</ref> and the Fifth Avenue Association endorsed this plan.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|104224701}} |title=Urges Adding Lanes on Queensboro Bridge: Fifth Avenue Association Also Wants More Approaches as Proposed by Goldman. |date=April 5, 1927 |page=46 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Board of Estimate allocated $150,000 for improvements to the bridge in April 1927,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1113699095}} |title=Queens Bridge Alteration Work Gets $150,000: Estimate Board Appropriates Sum to Finish Plans and Pay for Other Preliminary Work on Traffic Aid Plan May Cost $10,000,000 Appeal for East River Vehicle Tunnel Made by Fifth Ave. Association at Meeting |date=April 26, 1927 |page=23 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=City Acts to Ease Queens Bridge Jam; Votes $150,000 to Finish Plans and to Reconstruct Roads and Entrances |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 26, 1927 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/04/26/archives/city-acts-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-votes-150000-to-finish-plans-an.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107214242/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/04/26/archives/city-acts-to-ease-queens-bridge-jam-votes-150000-to-finish-plans-an.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=April 25, 1927 |title=City to Enlarge Queensboro Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-city-to-enlarge-queensboro-b/138254983/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=48 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215207/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-city-to-enlarge-queensboro-b/138254983/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1927|value=0.15|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} and the board approved the $3 million plan that June.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Bridge Roadways Approved by Board; $3,000,000 Improvement Plan Means Three More Lanes on Queensboro Span. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 15, 1927 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/06/15/archives/new-bridge-roadways-approved-by-board-3000000-improvement-plan.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107214244/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/06/15/archives/new-bridge-roadways-approved-by-board-3000000-improvement-plan.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=June 15, 1927 |title=Queens Bridge Enlargement Is Given Approval |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge-e/138255557/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=20 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215208/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-queens-bridge-e/138255557/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |date=June 15, 1927 |title=New Roadways for Queensboro Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-new-roadways-for-qu/138255782/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Herald Statesman |pages=2 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-new-roadways-for-qu/138255782/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn-lr|About ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|start_year=1927|value=3|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} The project was delayed due to difficulties in acquiring property,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1113496872}} |title=Queensboro Bridge Approaches Again Delayed |date=September 28, 1928 |page=19 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=Asks City to Halt Queens Bridge Plan; Berry Charges Property Owners Demand Excessive Prices for Site of Approaches |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 4, 1928 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/04/archives/asks-city-to-halt-queens-bridge-plan-berry-charges-property-owners.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107232929/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/04/archives/asks-city-to-halt-queens-bridge-plan-berry-charges-property-owners.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the city controller's office contemplated abandoning plans for the new approaches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Protests Dropping Queens Bridge Plan; Commerce Chamber Says Loss of Plants Would Be Costly to the City. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 7, 1928 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/07/archives/protests-dropping-queens-bridge-plan-commerce-chamber-says-loss-of.html |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> In late 1928, the Board of Estimate allowed construction to commence on both the new lanes and the approach viaducts at either end.<ref>{{cite web |title=$6,000,000 To Rebuild Bridge to Queens; Board of Estimate Approves Plan to Increase Traffic Capacity 50 Per Cent |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=November 2, 1928 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/02/archives/6000000-to-rebuild-bridge-to-queens-board-of-estimate-approves-plan.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 11, 1928 |title=City Pushes Work on Upper Deck of Queens Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-city-pushes-wor/138261737/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=20 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 1, 1928 |title=Work to Start Upon New Lanes on Queens Span |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-work-to-start-upon/138263599/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |pages=1}}</ref> To reduce congestion, the Manhattan ends of the upper and lower roadways were {{convert|700|ft}} apart, while the Queens ends of these roadways were about {{convert|0.5|mi}} apart.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 22, 1931 |title=Queens Bridge Road to Open Thursday; Approaches to New Queensboro Bridge Roadway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/22/archives/queens-bridge-road-to-open-thursday-approaches-to-new-queensboro.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Real-estate developers supported the project because it would encourage real-estate and business activity in Queens.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bridge Remodeling Will Benefit Queens; Will Stimulate Business Growth and Create Realty Demand |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=November 11, 1928 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/11/archives/bridge-remodeling-will-benefit-queens-will-stimulate-business.html |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> Fire extinguishers and chemical carts, for fighting small fires, were also installed on the bridge in 1928.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 15, 1928 |title=Queensboro Bridge to Have Fire Guard |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-queensboro-bridge-to-have-fir/138266790/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=103}}</ref>

Goldman publicized his plans for the southern upper roadway in April 1929,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1111968616}} |title=City Prepares To Reconstruct Queens Bridge: Plans for East River Span Call for New Ramp Approaches and Exits on Each End Wide Lane for Motor Cars Road To Be Built at Once at Cost of $2,750,000 |date=April 28, 1929 |page=2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=Queens Bridge Road to Ease Auto Jam; Goldman Reports Progress on Building of New Motorway Is Satisfactory |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 28, 1929 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/04/28/archives/queens-bridge-road-to-ease-auto-jam-goldman-reports-progress-on.html |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> and the T. H. Reynolds Company had been hired to move the elevated tracks by the next month.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 12, 1929 |title=Queensboro Bridge Roadway Project: Contract for Upper Deck to Be Let This Month—acquiring Land for Approaches. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/05/12/archives/queensboro-bridge-roadway-project-contract-for-upper-deck-to-be-let.html |access-date=October 18, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Bersin Construction Company received a contract for the new roadway in August 1929<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1111998616}} |title=Building Road on Bridge To Be Started This Month: Contracts Let for Queensboro Bridge Improvement |date=August 11, 1929 |page=D2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=New Drive is Begun Over Queens Bridge; Work Starts on Foundations for Three-Lane Roadway at East End of Structure. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=August 16, 1929 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/08/16/archives/new-drive-is-begun-over-queens-bridge-work-starts-on-foundations.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 16, 1929 |title=New Driveway Started Over Queens Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-new-driveway-started/138267464/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=The Standard Union |pages=5}}</ref> and started construction the same month.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|104718872}} |title=Work at Bridge Starts.: Contract Let on New Roadway of Queensboro Span |date=September 1, 1929 |page=RE6 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 16, 1929 |title=Commence New Drive in Queens Bridge Project |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-commence-new-dr/138267332/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=8}}</ref> A contract for the Queens approach viaduct was awarded to Bersin-Ronn Engineering Corporation in April 1930.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 15, 1930 |title=Viaduct Contract Let.; Work to Start at Once on Two-Way Queensboro Bridge Project. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/04/15/archives/viaduct-contract-let-work-to-start-at-once-on-twoway-queensboro.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 12, 1930 |title=Low Bid on Queens Bridge Viaduct |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-low-bid-on-queens-bridge-viad/138269973/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=208}}</ref> The upper roadway was substantially completed by early 1931;<ref>{{cite web |title=New Roadway to Increase Capacity of Queensboro Bridge |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=February 22, 1931 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/02/22/archives/new-roadway-to-increase-capacity-of-queensboro-bridge.html |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> it opened that June and carried only eastbound cars.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1114173151}} |title=New Upper Lane Of Queensboro Bridge Opened: Mayor Walker, Harvey and Other Officials Participate in Double Ceremony 2d Improvement in Week Police Announce Rules for Use of Approaches |date=June 26, 1931 |page=40 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 26, 1931 |title=Mayor Opens Deck on Queens Bridge; the Mayor Opens Another Bridge Remodeled for Traffic Needs. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/06/26/102246195.pdf |access-date=December 18, 2017}}</ref> By then, the bridge was carrying almost 100,000 vehicles a day.<ref name="p1114185333" /> A new footpath was also constructed on the south side of the upper level<ref name="p1114185333">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1114185333}} |title=Bridge Roadway To Long Island Opens Thursday: Passenger Car Lane on Queensboro Link to Add 50 Per Cent to Facilities New Vehicular Lane to Queens Opens Thursday |date=June 22, 1931 |page=13 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=Queens Bridge Road to Open Thursday; Approaches to New Queensboro Bridge Roadway |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 22, 1931 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/22/archives/queens-bridge-road-to-open-thursday-approaches-to-new-queensboro.html |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> but was not opened with the upper roadway.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 27, 1931 |title=Police Bar Use Of Queensboro Bridge Footpath: New Upper Deck Opened to Motorists for Month Hut Police Block Pedestrians |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114249340}}}}</ref> Initially, the upper deck had a wood, granite, and asphalt pavement.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 18, 1938 |title=Upper Roadway Of Queensboro Bridge Ready: Traffic Starts Tomorrow, 5 Months Ahead of Time With LaGuardia to Lead Cavalcade Across Span |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1243107063}}}}</ref> It contained grooves for motorists' tires, preventing them from changing lanes; after drivers complained about damaged tires, the grooves were first widened,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1114134437}} |title=City Eliminates Danger to Tires On Queens Span: Workmen Busy All Night Widening Traffic Lanes, Bevel Off Edges of Guides Motorists Are Still Wary Mulrooney Issues Assurance Widest Cars Are Safe Now |date=June 28, 1931 |page=6 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |title=New Bridge Lanes Widened for Autos; Edges of Two Safety Grooves That Ruined Tires on Queens Span, Are Beveled Down. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 28, 1931 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/28/archives/new-bridge-lanes-widened-for-autos-edges-of-two-safety-grooves-that.html |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> then infilled by September.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 12, 1931 |title=Upper Deck Reopened on Queensboro Bridge; Repaved With Asphalt to Fill Safety Groves That Were Source of Constant Complaint. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/12/archives/upper-deck-reopened-on-queensboro-bridge-repaved-with-asphalt-to.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 5, 1931 |title=Tar Blocks Trumps on This Bridge |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-tar-blocks-trumps-on-this-bri/138269728/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=177}}</ref>