Architecture

Pedestrian bridge proposed to link Manhattan and Jersey City

Pedestrian bridge proposed to link Manhattan and Jersey City
A proposal calls for a pedestrian bridge with cycle paths that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
A proposal calls for a pedestrian bridge with cycle paths that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
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Manhattan isn't very far from Jersey City as the crow flies, but it still takes a while to move between the two
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Manhattan isn't very far from Jersey City as the crow flies, but it still takes a while to move between the two
The Liberty Bridge would feature grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines
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The Liberty Bridge would feature grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines
The bridge would be required to be at least 200 ft (60 m) high to allow ships to pass beneath
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The bridge would be required to be at least 200 ft (60 m) high to allow ships to pass beneath
Currently, the proposal calls for a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
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Currently, the proposal calls for a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
The bridge would be built on the Pennsylvania Railway Embankment in Jersey City and reach Battery Park, on the southern tip of Manhattan
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The bridge would be built on the Pennsylvania Railway Embankment in Jersey City and reach Battery Park, on the southern tip of Manhattan
The bridge would sport retail spaces including coffee shops, plus grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines
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The bridge would sport retail spaces including coffee shops, plus grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines
It would boast a series of paths, including weather-protected lower paths and upper levels for warm and sunny days
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It would boast a series of paths, including weather-protected lower paths and upper levels for warm and sunny days
Elevators and ramps would provide access on and off
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Elevators and ramps would provide access on and off
A proposal calls for a pedestrian bridge with cycle paths that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
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A proposal calls for a pedestrian bridge with cycle paths that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length
Dubbed Liberty Bridge, the idea was conceived by Kevin Shane while hanging out at a BBQ event with friends
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Dubbed Liberty Bridge, the idea was conceived by Kevin Shane while hanging out at a BBQ event with friends
View gallery - 10 images

Manhattan isn't far from Jersey City as the crow flies, but because of the Hudson River, moving from one to the other typically requires either taking a relatively circuitous route or hopping aboard the busy PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) system. This could possibly change though, as a proposal envisions joining the two with a pedestrian bridge.

Dubbed Liberty Bridge (not to be confused with the bridges of the same name in Pittsburg and Michigan), the project was conceived by NYC resident Kevin Shane while he hung out at a Jersey City BBQ festival with friends. He eventually teamed up with Jersey City's Jeff Jordan Architects to refine the idea.

The proposal calls for a pedestrian bridge with cycle paths that measures a shade under a mile (1.5 km) in length, and at least 200 ft (60 m) high, to allow ships to pass beneath. It would make use of the existing Pennsylvania Railway Embankment in Jersey City and reach Battery Park, on the southern tip of Manhattan.

The Liberty Bridge would feature grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines
The Liberty Bridge would feature grassy areas, benches, solar panels, and wind turbines

According to the team behind the proposal, the bridge would feature multiple routes, including weather-protected lower paths and upper levels for warm and sunny days. Free Wi-Fi, retail spaces including coffee shops, plus grassy areas and benches are also envisioned, while elevators and ramps would provide access on and off. In addition, the proposal also calls for the use of solar panels and wind turbines to provide power. There's a long way to go yet though.

"This is still just the beginning of the monstrous challenge to make the Liberty Bridge a reality," says the design team. "Kevin will be sharing his progress in his blog and will need the support of the community, friends, politicians, financial backers, various agencies and many others to reach this goal."

Source: Liberty Bridge via Arch Daily

View gallery - 10 images
9 comments
9 comments
zevulon
this is oone of the worst ideas i've ever seen. i live in ny my whole life. it's as if someone forgot there is something called BOATS and something called fiscal responsibility.
society is off the rails when ideas for spending billions of tax dollars are just floated up to the top like pond scum.
Racqia Dvorak
build a bridge? sure. Build it a mile long with no option for rails or cars? Ridiculous.
gizmowiz
Why not Just build a couple of really tall towers (one on each side of the river for 2 day traffic) and have them glide to the other side on a cable/pulley system. A lot more fun! Except maybe in the winter when it's snowing ha.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really cool. I think it will be a tourist destination as well as a way to get from one side to the other.
Holden_Caufield
How about a pedestrian tunnel instead? This way ships can still use the lane.
bergamot69
A mile is a long way for many people to walk- how about using a 'Travelator' (moving walkway in US speak) to speed up the process? It would certainly make it far more enticing to those Americans who don't walk, cycle, jog, run, etc, for pleasure.
Charlie_Horse
In the spirit of bicycling pedal boats (with a bike rack) would be the most suitable mode for crossing the Hudson.
dawin12
I think the bridge would get plenty of usage and further enrich the area. Here's hoping the logistical hurdles aren't too difficult to clear.
charizzardd
live in hoboken, a walk-able bridge would be amazing. There is currently no way to get to NYC without taking a tunnel or mass transportation. GWB is pretty far away. Tax dollars could be questionable but I have been saying the area needs a walking bridge- it would be used by a lot of tourists and commuters.
The article specifically mentions it being high enough to avoid boats-though seemingly expensive-not sure why people are commenting on the boat issue, did you read the article?