Editing Brooklyn Bridge (section)

=== 21st century ===
{{multiple image
| align             = center
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| image1            = Brooklyn Bridge - New York City.jpg
| caption1          = In 2004, before renovation
| image2            = Brooklyn Bridge-New York.jpg
| caption2          = Renovation in progress
| image3            = Brooklyn Bridge September 2022 008.jpg
| caption3          = In 2022, after renovation
}}

After the 2007 collapse of the [[I-35W Mississippi River bridge|I-35W bridge]] in [[Minneapolis]], public attention focused on the condition of bridges across the U.S. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the Brooklyn Bridge approach ramps had received a "poor" rating during an inspection in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/02/brooklyn-bridge-is-one-of-3-with-poor-rating/|title=Brooklyn Bridge Is One of 3 With Poor Rating|last=Chan|first=Sewell|date=August 2, 2007|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626162210/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/02/brooklyn-bridge-is-one-of-3-with-poor-rating/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a NYCDOT spokesman said that the poor rating did not indicate a dangerous state but rather implied it required renovation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/brooklyn-bridge-is-safe-city-insists/|title=Brooklyn Bridge Is Safe, City Insists|last=Chan|first=Sewell|date=September 17, 2007|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2019|archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708141339/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/brooklyn-bridge-is-safe-city-insists/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, the NYCDOT began renovating the approaches and deck, as well as repainting the suspension span.<ref name="NYDN-Renovate-2010">{{cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-08-14/local/27072576_1_brooklyn-bridge-lanes-manhattan-bridge |title=Brooklyn Bridge Construction Starts Aug. 23, Keeping Manhattan-Bound Lanes Closed Nights till 2014 |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029041915/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-08-14/local/27072576_1_brooklyn-bridge-lanes-manhattan-bridge |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Briquelet | first=Kate | title=Paint fumes from Brooklyn Bridge have locals breathing uneasy | website=Brooklyn Paper | date=November 18, 2011 | url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/paint-fumes-from-brooklyn-bridge-have-locals-breathing-uneasy/ | access-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126161008/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/paint-fumes-from-brooklyn-bridge-have-locals-breathing-uneasy/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Work included widening two approach ramps from one to two lanes by re-striping a new prefabricated ramp; raising clearance over the eastbound BQE at York Street; seismic retrofitting; replacement of rusted railings and safety barriers; and road deck resurfacing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bridges/brooklyn_bridge.shtml |title=Rebuilding the Bridge |publisher=New York City Department of Transportation |access-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003142720/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bridges/brooklyn_bridge.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The work necessitated detours for four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/brooklyn_bridge_brochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603093435/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/brooklyn_bridge_brochure.pdf |archive-date=June 3, 2010 |url-status=live |title=Rebuilding the Bridge&nbsp;— Brochure |publisher=New York City Department of Transportation |access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> At the time, the project was scheduled to be completed in 2014;<ref name="NYDN-Renovate-2010" /> but completion was later delayed to 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2014-spring-brooklyn-bridge-newsletter.pdf |title=Brooklyn Bridge Rehabilitation Spring 2014 Newsletter |publisher=New York City Department of Transportation |access-date=September 9, 2014 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121092151/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2014-spring-brooklyn-bridge-newsletter.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> then again to 2017.<ref name="Sugar 2016">{{cite web | last=Sugar | first=Rachel | title=Projected Brooklyn Bridge repair costs have more than doubled | website=Curbed NY | date=November 11, 2016 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/11/13598192/brooklyn-bridge-repairs-cost-increase | access-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126161008/https://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/11/13598192/brooklyn-bridge-repairs-cost-increase | url-status=live }}</ref> The project's cost also increased from $508&nbsp;million in 2010<ref name="NYDN-Renovate-2010" /> to $811&nbsp;million in 2016.<ref name="Sugar 2016" />

In August 2016, the NYCDOT announced that it would conduct a seven-month, $370,000 study to verify if the bridge could support a heavier upper deck that consisted of an expanded bicycle and pedestrian path. By then, about 10,000 pedestrians and 3,500 cyclists used the pathway on an average weekday.<ref name="nyt20160809">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-expansion.html |title=Brooklyn Bridge, The 'Times Square in the Sky,' May Get an Expansion |last=Hu |first=Winnie |date=August 8, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=August 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308180058/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-expansion.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Work on the pedestrian entrance on the Brooklyn side was underway by 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-makeover.html |title=Finally, An Entrance Worthy of the Brooklyn Bridge |last=Hu |first=Winnie |date=May 9, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=May 10, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130225822/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-makeover.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The NYCDOT also indicated in 2016 that it planned to reinforce the Brooklyn Bridge's foundations to prevent it from sinking, as well as repair the masonry arches on the approach ramps, which had been damaged by [[Hurricane Sandy]] four years earlier.<ref>{{cite web | last=Mixson | first=Colin | title=No sleep until 2022: Work on Brooklyn Bridge, begun in 2010, will continue until 2022 | website=[[The Villager (Manhattan)|The Villager]] | date=May 2, 2016 | url=https://www.thevillager.com/2016/05/no-sleep-until-2022-work-on-brooklyn-bridge-begun-in-2010-will-continue-until-2022/ | access-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126161602/https://www.thevillager.com/2016/05/no-sleep-until-2022-work-on-brooklyn-bridge-begun-in-2010-will-continue-until-2022/ | url-status=live }}</ref>  In July 2018, the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] approved a further renovation of the Brooklyn Bridge's suspension towers and approach ramps.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lore |last=Croghan |title=Landmarks Preservation Commission Approves Brooklyn Bridge Archway Renovations |website=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |date=July 10, 2018 |url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2018/07/10/landmarks-preservation-commission-approves-brooklyn-bridge-archway-renovations/ |access-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223843/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2018/07/10/landmarks-preservation-commission-approves-brooklyn-bridge-archway-renovations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That December, the federal government gave the city $25&nbsp;million in funding, which would pay for a $337&nbsp;million rehabilitation of the bridge approaches and the suspension towers.<ref>{{cite web |first=Vincent |last=Barone |date=December 11, 2018 |title=$25M in Federal Funds for Brooklyn Bridge Rehab |website=am New York |url=https://www.amny.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-rehabilitation-1.24461240 |access-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212031041/https://www.amny.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-rehabilitation-1.24461240 |url-status=live }}</ref> Work started in late 2019 and was scheduled to be completed in four years.<ref>{{cite web | first=Alejandra | last=O'Connell-Domenech | title=Brooklyn Bridge renovations to start this fall | website=The Villager | date=July 1, 2019 | url=https://www.thevillager.com/2019/08/brooklyn-bridge-renovations-to-start-this-fall/ | access-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-date=January 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126161603/https://www.thevillager.com/2019/08/brooklyn-bridge-renovations-to-start-this-fall/ | url-status=live }}</ref> This restoration included removing bricks from the arches and putting fresh concrete behind them, using mortar from the same upstate quarries as the original mortar.  The granite arches were also cleaned, revealing the original gray color of the stone, which had long been hidden by grime.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hu|first=Winnie|date=April 16, 2023|title=The Brooklyn Bridge Gets a Facial|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/16/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-restoration.html|access-date=April 23, 2023|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423162335/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/16/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-restoration.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, 56 LED lamps were installed on the bridge at a cost of $2.4 million.<ref name="Simko-Bednarski 2024 a204" />

In early 2020, [[New York City Council|City Council]] speaker [[Corey Johnson (politician)|Corey Johnson]] and the nonprofit [[Van Alen Institute]] hosted an international contest to solicit plans for the redesign of the bridge's walkway.<ref>{{cite web | last=Berger | first=Paul | title=Can a Design Contest Fix the Brooklyn Bridge? Cyclists Hope So. | website=The Wall Street Journal | issn=0099-9660 | date=February 10, 2020 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-a-design-contest-fix-the-brooklyn-bridge-cyclists-hope-so-11581377140 | access-date=February 12, 2020 | archive-date=February 11, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211171952/https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-a-design-contest-fix-the-brooklyn-bridge-cyclists-hope-so-11581377140 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Mary | last=Frost | title=The Brooklyn Bridge is crowded. A new contest could change that. | website=Brooklyn Eagle | date=February 11, 2020 | url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2020/02/11/the-brooklyn-bridge-is-crowded-a-new-contest-could-change-that/ | access-date=February 12, 2020 | archive-date=February 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212173541/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2020/02/11/the-brooklyn-bridge-is-crowded-a-new-contest-could-change-that/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, in January 2021, the city decided to install a two-way [[Protected bicycle lanes|protected bike path]] on the Manhattan-bound roadway, replacing the leftmost vehicular lane. The bike lane would allow the existing promenade to be used exclusively by pedestrians.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Robbins|first=Christopher|date=January 28, 2021|title=The Brooklyn Bridge Will Finally Get Its Own Bike Lane|url=http://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-will-finally-get-its-own-bike-lane|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=Gothamist|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128221624/https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-will-finally-get-its-own-bike-lane|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=January 28, 2021|title=Car Lanes to Become Bike Lanes on 2 Major New York City Bridges|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/nyregion/bike-brooklyn-bridge-de-blasio.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/nyregion/bike-brooklyn-bridge-de-blasio.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=January 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Work on the bike lane started in June 2021,<ref>{{cite web | first=Jen | last=Chung | title=Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane Construction Starts June 21st | website=Gothamist | date=June 17, 2021 | url=http://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-bike-lane-construction-starts-june-21st | access-date=June 20, 2021 | archive-date=June 19, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619190534/https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-bike-lane-construction-starts-june-21st | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fondren|first=Precious|date=June 18, 2021|title=A New Bike Lane on the Brooklyn Bridge|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/nyregion/bike-lane-brooklyn-bridge.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/nyregion/bike-lane-brooklyn-bridge.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=June 20, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the new path was completed on September 14, 2021.<ref name="Offenhartz 2021">{{cite web |last=Offenhartz |first=Jake |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Video: Long-Awaited Bike Lane Opens On Brooklyn Bridge |url=https://gothamist.com/news/long-awaited-bike-lane-opens-brooklyn-bridge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003150556/https://gothamist.com/news/long-awaited-bike-lane-opens-brooklyn-bridge |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2021 |website=Gothamist|postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Brooklyn Bridge protected bike lane opens |url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2021/09/14/deblasio-administration-opens-brooklyn-bridge-protected-bike-lane-permanently-transforming-iconic-roadway-for-cyclists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003150528/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2021/09/14/deblasio-administration-opens-brooklyn-bridge-protected-bike-lane-permanently-transforming-iconic-roadway-for-cyclists/ |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2021 |website=Brooklyn Eagle|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Duggan | first=Kevin | title=FIRST ON amNY: City to open Brooklyn Bridge bike lane Tuesday | website=amNewYork | date=September 13, 2021 | url=https://www.amny.com/news/breaking-city-to-open-brooklyn-bridge-bike-lane-tuesday/ | access-date=February 1, 2025}}</ref> Despite the addition of the bike path, the bridge's walkway was still frequently overcrowded,<ref name="Budds 2023 z625">{{cite web | last=Budds | first=Diana | title=Clearing Vendors From the Brooklyn Bridge Won't Solve Its Overcrowding Problem | website=Curbed | date=January 27, 2023 | url=https://www.curbed.com/2023/01/brooklyn-bridge-overcrowding-street-vendors-pedestrian-plan.html | access-date=July 26, 2023 | archive-date=July 26, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726141158/https://www.curbed.com/2023/01/brooklyn-bridge-overcrowding-street-vendors-pedestrian-plan.html | url-status=live }}</ref> prompting the city to propose that street vendors be banned from the bridge and others citywide.<ref name="Frost 2023 a100">{{cite web | last=Frost | first=Mary | title=Brooklyn Bridge vendors may soon be banned | website=Brooklyn Eagle | date=July 25, 2023 | url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2023/07/25/brooklyn-bridge-vendors-may-soon-be-banned/ | access-date=July 26, 2023 | archive-date=July 26, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726005201/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2023/07/25/brooklyn-bridge-vendors-may-soon-be-banned/ | url-status=live |postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Finley | first=Louis | title=City considers vendor ban on bridges, citing safety and security risks | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=October 11, 2023 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/10/11/city-considers-vendor-ban-on-bridges | access-date=October 15, 2023 | archive-date=October 17, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017182935/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/10/11/city-considers-vendor-ban-on-bridges | url-status=live |postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Parker | first=Harry | title=NYC floats plan to ban souvenir, food vendors from Brooklyn Bridge in bid to ease pedestrian traffic | website=New York Daily News | date=October 10, 2023 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/10/10/nyc-floats-plan-to-ban-souvenir-food-vendors-from-brooklyn-bridge-in-bid-to-ease-pedestrian-traffic/ | access-date=October 15, 2023 | archive-date=October 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015035352/https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/10/10/nyc-floats-plan-to-ban-souvenir-food-vendors-from-brooklyn-bridge-in-bid-to-ease-pedestrian-traffic/ | url-status=live }}</ref> All vendors were banned from the bridge in January 2024,<ref name="ABC7 New York 2024 l197">{{cite web | title=Vendors forced to close up shop on Brooklyn Bridge and all New York City bridges | website=ABC7 New York | date=January 3, 2024 | url=https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-bridge-vendors-ban-nyc/14262934/ | access-date=January 3, 2024 | archive-date=January 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103043000/https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-bridge-vendors-ban-nyc/14262934/ | url-status=live |postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Nir | first=Sarah Maslin | title=The Brooklyn Bridge Is Not for Sale, or for Selling Souvenirs Anymore | website=The New York Times | date=January 2, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-vendors.html | access-date=January 3, 2024 | issn=0362-4331 | archive-date=January 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103011341/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/nyregion/brooklyn-bridge-vendors.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and the same month, the bridge's new LED lights were illuminated for the first time.<ref name="Simko-Bednarski 2024 a204" /> The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] recommended in early 2025 that the bridge undergo a structural vulnerability assessment, following the [[Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse]] in Maryland the previous year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Key Bridge collapse: NYC bridges among 68 in the US recommended for vulnerability assessments, NTSB says | website=ABC7 New York | date=March 21, 2025 | url=https://abc7ny.com/post/key-bridge-collapse-nyc-bridges-among-68-us-recommended-vulnerability-assessments-ntsb-says/16059419/ | access-date=March 21, 2025|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Loria | first=Michael | title=Millions of people use these bridges. Feds say they're taking a risk. | website=USA TODAY | date=March 21, 2025 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/20/bridges-at-risk-of-collapse-key/82582036007/ | access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>

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