The Bridges of New Jersey : Portraits of Garden State Crossings

New Jersey is sandwiched between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers, with the Raritan, Passaic, and Navesink cutting swaths across it. In spite of the state's relatively small size, over six thousand bridges span its varied landscape. They traverse rivers, streams, railroads, and roadways. Several dozen bridges cut across the Delaware River alone, carrying pedestrian, vehicular, and railroad traffic. Three connect the state to Staten Island. Some are steeped in history, dating back to the colonial era and the Revolutionary war. Others are recognized worldwide for their size or significance in the annals of engineering.In The Bridges of New Jersey, Steven M. Richman provides a rare photographic and poetic journey across sixty of the state's bridges, ranging from impressive suspension spans such as the Ben Franklin and George Washington Bridges, to the small wrought iron and stone bridges that are cherished by local citizens. The book provides a rich diversity of stories that place the bridges in the context of New Jersey history and culture. Richman also explores the contribution New Jersey bridges have made to engineering-some of the most prominent engineers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries either lived or established businesses in the Garden State or designed its bridges.Lavishly illustrated with over seventy photographs, this book is much more than a documentary survey. It is a visual portrait that beautifully captures the metaphoric significance and aesthetic pleasures of New Jersey's bridges, and indeed all bridges. Perhaps more than any other structure built by humans, bridges typify progress and they give us a sense of connectedness. The Bridges of New Jersey provides a compelling visual demonstration of these symbolic functions, as well as their practical purposes and engineering accomplishments. New Jersey is sandwiched between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers, with the Raritan, Passaic, and Navesink cutting swaths across it. In spite of the state's relatively small size, over six thousand bridges span its varied landscape. They traverse rivers, streams, railroads, and roadways. Several dozen bridges cut across the Delaware River alone, carrying pedestrian, vehicular, and railroad traffic. Three connect the state to Staten Island. Some are steeped in history, dating back to the colonial era and the Revolutionary war. Others are recognized worldwide for their size or significance in the annals of engineering. __In The Bridges of New Jersey__, Steven M. Richman provides a rare photographic and poetic journey across sixty of the state's bridges, ranging from impressive suspension spans such as the Ben Franklin and George Washington Bridges, to the small wrought iron and stone bridges that are cherished by local citizens. The book provides a rich diversity of stories that place the bridges in the context of New Jersey history and culture. Richman also explores the contribution New Jersey bridges have made to engineering-some of the most prominent engineers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries either lived or established businesses in the Garden State or designed its bridges. Lavishly illustrated with over seventy photographs, this book is much more than a documentary survey. It is a visual portrait that beautifully captures the metaphoric significance and aesthetic pleasures of New Jersey's bridges, and indeed all bridges. Perhaps more than any other structure built by humans, bridges typify progress and they give us a sense of connectedness. The Bridges of New Jersey provides a compelling visual demonstration of these symbolic functions, as well as their practical purposes and engineering accomplishments. Annotation Richman Provides A Rare Photographic & Poetic Journey Across 60 Of The State Bulges. Annotation Richman Provides A Rare Photographic And Poetic Journey Across 60 Of New Jersey's Bridges, Ranging From Impressive Suspension Spans Such As The Ben Franklin And George Washington Bridges, To The Small Wrought Iron And Stone Bridges That Are Cherished By Local Citizens. Annotation Steven M. Richman Provides A Rare Photographic And Poetic Journey Across Sixty Of New Jersey's 6,000 Bridges, Ranging From Impressive Suspension Spans Such As The Ben Franklin And George Washington Bridges, To The Small Wrought-iron And Stone Bridges That Are Cherished By Local Citizens. Arch Bridges -- Stony Brook Bridge -- Kingston Bridge -- Princeton Pike Bridge (mercer Street Bridge) -- Opossum Road Bridge -- North Branch Viaduct -- Albany Street Bridge -- Georgian Court Bridge -- Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge -- Branch Brook Park Bridges -- Washington Road Bridge -- Delaware River Viaduct -- Paulinskill Viaduct -- Morris Goodkind Bridge -- Tacony-palmyra Bridge -- Bayonne Steel Arch Bridge -- Newark Bay Bridge -- Truss Bridges -- Musconetcong Bridge -- West Main Street Bridge -- School Street Bridge -- Rosemont-raven Rock Road Bridge -- Jacobs Creek (bear Tavern Road) Bridge -- Calhoun Street Bridge -- Nevius Street Bridge -- Main Street (califon) Bridge -- Higginsville Road Bridges. Steven M. Richman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 155-168) And Index. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 20 Arch Bridges......Page 42 Truss Bridges......Page 75 Covered Bridges......Page 110 Cantilever Bridges......Page 113 Suspension Bridges......Page 129 Movable Bridges......Page 147 Girder Bridges......Page 166 Concluding Words......Page 172 Bibliography......Page 174 Index......Page 188 About The Author......Page 198