The Historic High Bridge in New York City

Brooklyn Bridge
Image: pexels.com

Based in Mount Vernon, New York, PCI Industries Corp.is a multi-faceted construction company that performs site construction, milling, and paving services to public works clients including the New York State Department of Transportation. PCI Industries also works with cities including Mount Vernon, White Plains, and New Rochelle and handled the historical Dyckman Bridge restoration. 

New York City is full of beautiful historic bridges, including the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge. Lesser known but beloved by New Yorkers is the pedestrian bridge known as the High Bridge, which was closed for four decades and reopened to the public in 2015. 

The High Bridge was originally built in 1848 as an aqueduct to bring water from Westchester County into the growing city. It was the first bridge built in New York City, predating the Brooklyn Bridge by 30 years, and it quickly became a popular place for pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages, due to its fresh vistas. 

The reason for the bridge’s closure 40 years ago is unclear, but after a three-year, $61.8 million renovation, the bridge was opened to great fanfare in 2015. It is a direct link from Manhattan to the Bronx, running over the Harlem river, and affords breathtaking views of the Chrysler Building. The bridge is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.