Manhattan Bridge Pedestrian Path

The Manhattan Bridge is an engineering marvel that relied on a radical concept called deflection theory. When it opened in 1909, this theory allowed designers to omit the massive, bulky stiffening trusses that defined the look of older suspension bridges. By trusting that the tension in the main cables would naturally stabilize the deck, the bridge could be built with a sleeker, more modern profile. This daring approach made the Manhattan Bridge the first of its kind, and it set a new standard for how long-span suspension bridges would be constructed across the globe.