NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Happy 100th Birthday to the Queensborough Bridge! Mayor Bloomberg was on hand Sunday to join in the first of a week-long series of events commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the 59h Street Bridge - the longest span across the East River.
The celebration began with a parade of vintage cars starting in Queens and Manhattan meeting in the middle on the South Upper Roadway. Attendies include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Manhattan and Queens Borough Presidents, and the 95-year-old daughter of the Bridge's Designer.
The bridge, which resembles a horizontal Eiffel Tower because of the trusses that make up the cantilever, has long been an iconic part of the city's skyline, appearing in such movies as Woody Allen's "Manhattan" and on television in "Taxi." Paul Simon cited the bridge's other name in the title of his song, "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)." The Queensboro Bridge also marks a key point in the New York City Marathon. At the 16th mile, runners make their way up the ramps and head to Manhattan on the bridge, which is specially carpeted for the occasion. The Queensboro Bridge was designated a national monument in 1974.
Sunday's events were scheduled to end with a Grucci Firework display over the East River.
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