Bridge connecting the great cities of Brooklyn and Manhattan

The idea to construct a bridge connecting the great cities of Brooklyn and Manhattan across the east river was triggered in 1870 at a time when Americans were very determined to see their country move hand in hand with other prosperous countries in the industrial period. The bridge took a whole fourteen years to be built from 1869 to 1883. The construction encountered a lot of problems before its completion including the that just began in the middle of its construction. The war saw many workmen die as well as construction materials at the site destroyed. These catastrophes delayed the quick completion of the bridge despite many Americans being optimistic and determined to complete the construction of the bridge.

On the other hand, there were natural calamities that similarly interfered with the fast construction of the bridge such as strong rains because the bridge was built over the river. In addition, the political pressure seemed to put the efforts of the constructors down as many politicians and civilians were against the idea some arguing that it would contaminate the river while others wanted to be involved for their interest. All these forces saw many lives lost and building crashed down. The project took a lot of time due to the combination of various political, economical, and natural disruptions that seemed to bring the construction down.

The bridge required to be well designed and constructed to be able to withstand the heavyweight of the construction materials hence the use of strong steel cables designed by engineer Roebling who was the leading engineer. The structure was meant to be strong enough to avoid collapse when ferrying people and goods after completion putting in mind that it was a suspended bridge one of its kind at that time.

Roebling faced a lot of problems when perfecting these steel cables and other construction materials especially from the political tensions and pressures that seemed too demanding in terms of corruption and the prominent people in the government seemed to have a personal interest in the structure due to the fact it was one of its kind and many wanted to be associated with its construction.

Roebling was being assisted by his son Washington who took over from him after his death caused by a poorly medicated wound gotten in the course of the construction of the bridge. In addition, after his over, he died shortly after suffering from caisson disease. Despite these problems, the bridge continued to be built and became one of the suspended bridges to be built at that when the world did not have the technological know-how and experienced manpower. For Americans, this was a great achievement and many still love and associate themselves with this old but beautiful bridge.

Today, the and beautiful scenery where many people in the through a structure constructed over water joining two great cities. The bridge offers a brain of itself as many do not believe how possible it could have been built considering the depth and the width of the east river. Many consider the bridge some kind of a miracle that just happened, however the construction of the bridge did cost enough lives, time, and not forgetting finances.

However, the benefits of the bridge are enjoyed by many big and small altogether due to the fact it shortened the distance between the two cities, made trade easier to take place and now people can travel within the between the two cities. Culturally, the two cities can exchange their societal values and ideas as they are connected as one. Therefore, the bridge has served a major role in bringing the people together in this era of globalization.