The Gowanus Canal: Carroll Street Bridge
The Carroll Street Bridge (NYC BIN #2240260) opened in 1889 and is a very rare example of a retractile drawbridge in which the main span is slid back on rails diagonally to clear passage through the canal. It is also notable as a rare surviving example of a kingpost truss - in this case constructed with plate girders. The bridge was designed by engineers at the Brooklyn Department of Public Works and built by the New Jersey Steel and Iron Company (Trenton Iron Works), a subsidiary of the firm of Cooper, Hewitt and Co. The bridge is trapezoidal in shape with a 17-foot roadway and 4-foot sidewalks. The span is 63 feet with a total bridge length of 107 feet. The channel it clears is 38 feet wide.
Carroll Street Bridge deck - viewed from the northeast
Carroll Street Bridge - viewed from the southeast
Carroll Street Bridge - viewed from the southeast
Carroll Street Bridge east approach cobblestones
Carroll Street Bridge deck - viewed from the southwest
NY Landmarks Preservation historic sign
Deck viewed from the west
Retraction cable and pulleys
Retraction rails
Kingpost truss
Replica walking speed warning sign
Southern kingpost
Northern kingpost
Gowanus canal looking south from the Carroll Street Bridge
Northern wooden gate on east side
Southern wooden gate on east side
East approach to Carroll Street Bridge viewed from the south at 1st St
Storm sewer overflow drain to the southeast of the bridge
Boats docked on the west bank between Carroll and Union Sts
West approach and attendant house for the Carroll Street Bridge