The City Island Bridge is a fixed bridge in the Bronx, New York City. It is the only connection between City Island and the mainland, crossing what's locally known as the "City Island Channel".
The bridge consists of 2 traffic lanes (one in each direction) and a central lane reserved for fire and emergency vehicles. It is of steel construction, with much fancy and ornate wrought iron decoration done in Victorian style. Originally constructed as a turntable bridge crossing the Harlem River, it was moved to City Island in 1901 to replace an existing wooden bridge.
As of mid April 2005, the bridge is scheduled for demolition and is to be replaced by a cable stayed bridge after a temporary bridge is built next to it in October 2007. The temporary bridge will be south of the present bridge. The new City Island Bridge will be finished in 2010
There is a small movement on City Island to keep and repair the present historic and ornate bridge, but it has failed. It is claimed by many that it is a form of Victorian era art and cutting it up for scrap is like destroying something historic built by the likes of architect Stanford White and such. The City of New York appears determined to go ahead with their plans for scrapping and replacing it. Although the new bridge will be wider and safer, many would like to keep the old bridge because it is considered fine art. Residents have asked the city not to light up the new bridge like other bridges and not to allow any Cell Phone antennas to be placed atop the towers which will be very high.
On the east (City Island) side of the bridge is City Island Park with benches and a great view of the Manhattan skyline. The west side of the bridge is on Rodman's Neck. Fishing is forbidden from the bridge, and it is fenced off for safety.
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