Editing Queensboro Bridge (section)

==== Piers ====
The five spans are supported by six piers; the westernmost and easternmost piers act as anchorages.<ref name="p899683487" /><ref name="The New York Times 2002 j597" /> Each of the piers consists of two columns supported by an [[elliptical arch]] measuring {{Convert|50|ft}} wide.<ref name="p899683487" /> The piers each measure {{convert|130|by|40|ft}} across at their bases (including the arched openings).<ref name="p571537619">{{cite news |date=April 20, 1904 |title=Structural Work to Begin Soon: Six Stone Piers of Blackwell's Island Bridge Completed |page=6 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571537619}}}}</ref> They range from {{Convert|100|to|125|ft}} tall, with the piers on Roosevelt Island being the tallest.<ref name="n134969352">{{Cite news |date=May 27, 1904 |title=Completing Piers for East River Bridge No. 4 |pages=9 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-completing-pier/134969352/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110214238/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-completing-pier/134969352/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The foundations of the Roosevelt Island piers are shallow, since there is bedrock just below the surface of the island. By comparison, the piers in Manhattan and Queens extend over {{convert|50|ft}} deep.<ref name="SA p. 100" />

The piers are faced with Maine granite and are attached to a backing made of concrete and Mohawk Valley limestone.<ref name="p571537619" /> In total, workers used {{convert|14000|yd3}} of limestone, {{convert|17000|yd3}} of concrete, and {{convert|22800|yd3}} of granite to build the bridges.<ref name="p899683487" /> Above the piers rise the bridge's towers, which contain domed decorations and [[Art Nouveau]]-inspired spires.<ref name="The New York Times 2002 j597">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=November 24, 2002 |title=Streetscapes/The Queensboro Bridge; Spanning the East River, With a Sense of Drama |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/24/realestate/streetscapes-the-queensboro-bridge-spanning-the-east-river-with-a-sense-of-drama.html |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014709/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/24/realestate/streetscapes-the-queensboro-bridge-spanning-the-east-river-with-a-sense-of-drama.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The towers extend {{Convert|185|ft}} above the bridge's lower chords.<ref name="p144906008" /> The tops of the towers are made of 225 granite blocks, which were part of the original design but not added until 1937.<ref name="p1250464082" /> The spires were removed at some point in the 20th century after deteriorating.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1960 |title=The 8 Million |pages=2 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-the-8-million/133243953/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017112837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-the-8-million/133243953/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The two anchorages, one each at the Manhattan and Queens ends, are about {{convert|500|ft}} inland of the shore.<ref name="n134961972" /> Each anchorage was built with spiral staircases and elevators.<ref name="n134969352" /><ref name="n134961972">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1903 |title=Blackwell's Island Bridge's Progress |pages=19 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridges/134961972/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202610/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-blackwells-island-bridges/134961972/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The anchorage in Manhattan is between [[First Avenue (Manhattan)|First Avenue]] and [[York Avenue]], while the Queens anchorage is near Vernon Boulevard.<ref name="p571537619" /> The anchorages are topped by small rooms with arched openings.<ref name="n134965012">{{Cite news |date=April 21, 1903 |title=Natural Bridge Foundations |pages=11 |work=Times Union |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-natural-bridge-foundations/134965012/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110202606/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-natural-bridge-foundations/134965012/ |url-status=live}}</ref>