Skip to content

Streetfilms: The Queensboro Bridge Turns 100

New York celebrated the 100th birthday of the Queensboro Bridge yesterday, and Clarence Eckerson was on hand to document the occasion for Streetfilms. As pointed out in the vid by “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, back in 1909 drivers paid 10 cents to cross the Q’boro — or $4.66 for a round trip in today’s dollars. Motorists were accustomed to using the bridge for free by the 1980s, even as it was falling apart, and now pay less than the three pennies it once cost to ride across on horseback.

Even so, with today’s bankruptcy filing by General Motors, the Queensboro has held up better than two of the Big Three.

Photo of Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Fewer Cars On Queensboro Bridge Means It’s Time To Take A Lane For Increasing Cyclists

July 15, 2026

Pedestrian Fatalities Drop Again, But More Needs To Be Done, Says Governors Group

July 15, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Delay Tactics Edition

July 15, 2026

Not So Fast: DOT Won’t Fix the Deadliest Parts of Canal Street First

July 14, 2026

‘Unsafe Disaster’: New Yorkers Ask Mamdani Charter Panel To Cut Street Redesign Red Tape

July 14, 2026
See all posts