The tunnel was first envisioned in 1903 as a more direct connection to the old Union Station, in the center of Providence. Construction on the tunnel started in May 1906. The tunnel was opened on November 15, 1908. The ownership of the tunnel was transferred to the state of Rhode Island in 1981. The last train passed through shortly after that. Taken from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Side_Railroad_Tunnel"

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

This photo shows Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg speaking at the lectern.

The ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers involved in rescuing more than a dozen people from a burning building near the Queens-Midtown Tunnel on July 30 were presented with Heroism Awards by MTA Chairman & CEO Thomas Prendergast during the MTA board meeting on Wed., September 24, 2014.

Sergeant Paul Leggio.

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

The ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

The Lydbrook Branch of the Severn and Wye Railway is notable for its two key featurs – the mpressive Lydbrook Viaduct, now dismantled, and the tunnel here at Mireystock, the second most impressive feature, and view, this pleasing marrying of bridge and tunnel at SO614145, with that crisp stonework that still looks as good today as it did the day it was built. The bridge carries nothing more than a Forest ride but all bridges and tunnels on the S+W were this grand looking, irrespective of purpose. All the bridges and tunnels on the S+W were built using stone hewn at Smethers Tump Quarry just north of the tunnel here, which the S+W company bought during construction of the line. Plans are afoot to open the tunnel as a footpath.

Bridges and Tunnels Acting Vice President of Operations Patrick J. Parisi speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

" From now on , only the pug (very obedient dog) can be elected as legislative councillors. "

On 14th Oct 2018, 10000 Hong Kong protesters hold a rally from Causeway Bay to the Central Office, to protest the government 's plan to spend probably 1 trillion Hong Kong dollars to build artificial islands and accompanying bridges and tunnels in the East of Lantau Island.

The former "East Lantau Metropolis project" proposed to reclaim 1000 hectares , has been replaced this week by an even more ambitious project of "Lantau Tomorrow Vision " of reclaiming 1700 hectares to house 1.1million people by the Chief Executive Carrie Lam, preempting the awaited public consultation report by the Task Force on Land Supply.

The protestors worried the project has not considered the risks under extreme weather, will irreversibly damage the environment, burn up the whole fiscal reserve, and deprive the public of the funding for other more important fields like medical , education, and retirement scheme.

Moreover the project , requiring 2 to 3 decades to complete , cannot cater for the immediate housing needs of the general public, as compared to other source of land supply such as the Fanling Golf Course , brownfield sites and buy back farmland from private estate developers for public housing.

大约一萬名市民於十月十四日參與由銅鑼灣至政總的遊行 ,抗議政府計劃用一萬億元填海及興建東大嶼人工島方案。

示威者認為政府的明日大嶼計劃填海1700公頃及其他的橋樑或隧道, 將會對環境造成不可挽回的影響, 亦未有考慮到人工島能否應付極端的天氣, 財政上會用盡香港的儲備, 亦令到沒有足夠財政資源用於醫療、教育及全民退休保障等。

示威者亦不滿政府亦未有等待土地供應小組的咨詢結果便公佈填海作為主要選項。但填海需時20至30年才提供到1.1百萬人的住宅, 相反其他土地供應選項如收回粉嶺哥爾夫球場、粽地、及用官地收回條例收回地產發展商的農地作公營房屋卻能夠比較快提供到房屋。

MTA Bridges and Tunnels personnel fought snow in the Rockaways during the major snowstorm of February 8-9, 2013.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels / Carlton Cyrus

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels are pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Bridges and Tunnels Director of Facility Operations/Special Projects Al Rivera speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

VAISHNAVI (MATRIKA GODDESS)

Vaishnavi, Vaishnodevi, Trikuta (sanskrit, feminine form of Vishnu) is a legendary figure in the Hindu tradition and the shakti of Lord Vishnu.

According to the legend, she was an incarnation of the Divine Mother Lakshmi. Vaishnavi is a name of Vaishno Devi.

Vaishnavi (Vaishnodevi) is also a Matrika goddess, considered as the shakti of Vishnu.

Vaishnavi (or Vyshnavi) is also a given name, in the Hindu tradition of naming children after spiritual personalities.

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VAISHNO DEVI, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Hindu Mother Goddess Mahalakshmi. The words "maa" and "mata" are commonly used in India for "mother", and thus are often used in connection with Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi Mandir (Hindi: वैष्णोदेवी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, located at the Trikuta Mountains within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. More than 10 million pilgrims visit this shrine every year.

The Vaishno Mata shrine is in the Trikuta mountains is believed to be the abode of 33 crore deities.

It is believed that at some point of time each one of these 33 crore deities have worshipped Goddess Vaishno Mata, and left their symbolic marks inside. It is also believed that during the pooja and Aarti, these Gods and Goddesses arrive at the Holy cave to pay their obeisance to Mata. Hindus believe that one cannot possible have Darshan of Mata, unless she herself calls the devotees.

‘Chalo bulawa aya hai, Mata ne bulaya hai’. Meaning ‘Let us go to Vaishno Devi as Mata has beckoned us to come for darshan and blessings’.

REACHING KATRA

The town of Katra in Jammu and Kashmir is the base point of the 13 km trek to the Holy Cave, where an elaborate Bhawan exists taking care of every possible need of the devotee. Katra can be reached either by road from Jammu or by the recently started train service by Indian Railways. Katra is approx 50 km from Jammu and can be reached by road in less than two hours.

The Indian Railways have introduced Sree Shakti train that runs from Delhi. One can easily avail the two night package, ‘COMFORT’ offered by IRCTC.

The train journey from Jammu onwards to Katra is not just picturesque but a thrilling adventure that takes you through breathtaking bridges and tunnels. It is indeed an engineering marvel of Indian Railways.

The Katra railway station is a world class railway station having automatic escalators powered by Solar Energy. It also houses shops, Food courts, waiting halls, washrooms and bathrooms. In addition to this there is a hotel where one can stay overnight on prior booking.

TREK ROUTE AND MEANS OF TRANSPORT

The trek from the Banganga check post in Katra to Mata’s Bhawan is an arduous 13 km long one.

One can cover the trek by four different methods:

1. By Helicopter.

2. By foot

3. By horses

4. By Palki – human palanquin

Helicopter services are offered by Global Vectra and Himalayan.The booking for availing helicopter service needs to be booked online, 60 days in advance through the official website of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Helicopter tickets can also be bought on the spot from Jagjivan Ghat near Katra Bus Stand. But tickets can be bought subject to availability. Also the Helicopter service takes place only in fair weather and often the trips are cancelled.

The Katra helipad is approx 3.5 km from Katra main town. One needs to report at the helipad two hours in advance of the time mentioned on the ticket. The helicopter ride from the Katra helipad to Sanjichhat takes a mere five minutes. The immensely thrilling ride gives a breathtakingly beautiful view of the Trikuta valley. On reaching Sanjichhat, the Bhawan is at a distance of about 3 km. This distance can be covered by a downward trek or by horses. It takes approx 90 minutes to reach the Bhawan by foot. Those going for Mata’s darshan via helicopter are issued VIP passes and are allowed to entry through Gate No 5 of the Bhawan.

If one is going for darshan by the other three means, by foot, by horses or by Palanquin, he/she needs to register his traveling group members at the Katra Vaishno Mata Dev Shrine Board office and get a "travel slip". The office is located near the Katra bus stand. The travel slip is extremely important as it will be checked at several points of the journey, failing which you will not be allowed to trek further.

TREK PATH

The trek of 13 km can be completed in about 5 to 8 hours depending on the fitness and whether children are accompanying parents.

The Bhawan is open for darshan 365 days and the Shrine Board, the governing body of the Bhawan has made it possible to do the trek 24 by 7. The entire trekking path is lit up for devotees, some preferring to start the trek in the late evening to avoid the morning sun. The scintillating lit up path is visible from the Katra bus stand.

Throughout the trekking path, there are restaurants, tea stalls, drinking water, medical aid,benches, toilets and police check posts. A major length of the trek is covered providing protection from rain and snow.

At the start of the trek, at Banganga check post, there is massive scanning of luggage and security check.

The trek is divided into two parts. The first part of the trek up to Adkuwari is roughly half way at a distance of 7 km from Banganga starting check post. At Adkuwari the road to the Bhawan bifurcates into two. One road goes via Adkuwari while the second one goes via Himkoti.

The horses are allowed to continue on the Adkuwari trail, but are not allowed to go via the Himkoti road. At the Himkoti road, electric rickshaws are available for senior citizens, people with disability and those with medical conditions.

It must be noted that if traveling with children by foot, as is the case with many devotees, one needs to be very vigilant of the horses plying alongside as the road is narrow.

BHAWAN

On reaching the Bhawan one can take a bath at the bathing ghats. Having done so, one needs to deposit all luggage, mobile phones, cameras and leather items in lockers provided by the Shrine Board. Also it is here that a group is provided a number for darshan on showing the "travel slip".

Normal devotees enter through Gate No 3.

The Bhawan provides accommodation for the devotees to stay overnight at the Bhawan. The booking for this needs to be done online, well in advance.

The Bhawan is buzzing with activity at any given time of the day. Devotees irrespective of their class arrive at the Bhawan to receive blessings of Vaishno Mata.

On most days, the queue leading up to the Holy cave keeps moving. Moreover, the whole Bhawan reverberates with the devotees chanting, “Jai Mata Di” and one totally becomes unaware of the fatigue of the long trek.

It is believed that he darshan of Mata is complete only if one visits the Bhairon Mandir, as Mata had given Bhairon a boon that he would be worshipped alongside her. The Bhairon Mandir is approximately 3 km form the Bhawan. It is a steep upward trek and can be done either by foot or by ponies.

The Shrine board has taken immense care to provide all amenities for a comfortable darshan of the devotees. So you will find shops, restaurants like Sagar Ratna, PCOs, Cloak rooms, Prashad shops and police posts.

PRASAD

"BHAINT" The Prasad offered by the devotees to Mata is called BHAINT. There are several shops at Bhawan selling Bhaints. These can also be bought from the office of the Shrine board packed neatly in Eco friendly jute bags, with the logo of the Shrine Board, a souvenir in itself. A typical Bhaint comprises prasad, fuliyan, chunri, mouli, coconut, pooja samagri including itra, bangles and sindoor.

Outside the exit tunnel and just beyond the Amrit Kund lies the PRASAD counter. The blessings of the Mother Goddess in the form of Prasad pouches are handed over to the devotees by the temple priests. Each Prasad pouch comprises the Mishri Prasad plus a blessed coin, carrying the image of Holy Pindies. In addition, Khazana (coins) are given to the devotees. It is believed to be a good luck coins(s) and devotees would do well to keep it in their cash boxes, temples or other important places in their homes or establishments. it is not only a belief but a fact that the Khazana Prasad wherever kept, has brought in prosperity and luck.

There are other blessed items too, especially the Chunris and Cholas which are used for Shringar of the Holy Pindies. Since the Vastras of the Pindies are changed twice a day during Aarti, the Vastras which have been used once but are subsequently changed are offered as Ashirwad (blessings) to the devotees.

These are readily available at the souvenir shops run by the shrine Board at Katra, Adkuwari, Sanjichhat and Bhawan. Gold and Silver coins of the Holy goddess are also available.

The pull of Mata is such that devotees travel from all corners of the world to receive blessing of Mata. And Mata is said to embrace and bless one and all, from the poorest and the weakest to the richest and the mightiest. Vaishno Devi is the most widely visited shrine in North India and the second most visited shrine in the country after Tirupati Balaji.

It is a pilgrimage to be taken at least once in the life of a Hindu.

DARSHAN

The Trikuta Mountain where the Shrine is located and the Holy Cave are the gateway to the dimension of Super Consciousness. And just like the Trikuta Mountain, which is one at the base but has three peaks (hence the name Trikoot), the revelation of the Mother Goddess in the Holy Cave is in a natural rock form which is one at the base but has three heads at the top. These three heads in a natural rock form are known as the Holy Pindies and are worshipped as the revelation of the Mother Goddess. The entire rock body is immersed in water, and a marble platform has now been constructed all around. The main Darshans remain to be of the three heads called the Holy Pindies. The uniqueness of the Holy Pindies is that although they emanate from one single rock form, each one is distinctly different from the other two in colour and texture.

MAHA KALI

Towards the right of the devotee is the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Kali (the Supreme Energy of Dissolution) in the colour associated with Her i.e. black. The Supreme Energy of dissolution is Mata Maha Kali. She represents the Tam Guna- the quality associated with the darker and unknown realms of life. Tam stands for darkness. Psychology and science state that only a very small per cent of the Universe is conscious. The remaining is still subconscious or unconscious. These unknown realms contain all the mysteries of life. Creation is a phenomenon, which exists within a specific time. However the Energy that transcends the barriers of time is the Eternal Time or Maha Kali. Since man’s knowledge about life is very limited and he remains in the dark about most of it, it is represented by the colour black which is associated with Mata Maha Kali. She is the basic source of all that is mystical and unknown to man. In her attribute of Maha Kali, the Mother Goddess constantly guides her devotees to conquer the forces of darkness.

MAHA LAKSHMI

In the centre is the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Lakshmi (the Supreme Energy of Maintenance) with a yellowish-red tinge, the colour associated with Mata Maha Lakshmi. Mata Maha Lakshmi is the Supreme Energy of Maintenance. She represents Rajas Guna- the quality of inspiration and effort, and is considered to be the basic source of wealth, prosperity, material gains, quality of life etc. Wealth and prosperity are better represented by the colour of gold, which is yellow, and hence associated with Mata Maha Lakshmi.

MAHA SARASWATI

The Pindi to the extreme left of the viewer is worshipped as the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Saraswati (the Supreme Energy of Creation). It has a whitish tinge when looked at attentively. White has also been considered the colour associated with Mata Maha Saraswati. Being the Supreme force of Creation, Mata Maha Saraswati is considered to be the basic source of all Creation, Knowledge, Wisdom, Righteousness, Art, Spiritualism, Piousness etc. Since white is a colour that denotes piousness and purity, hence it is associated with Mata Maha Saraswati. She represents the Satva Guna- the quality of purity.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be an incarnation of the three Supreme Energies.

All Human beings contain attributes of the three above mentioned Guns (qualities) and their behavior is determined by the Guna which is predominant in their nature. But, in order to lead a meaningful life, a proper balance among these three is necessary. The Holy Cave is charged with such energy that it helps in creating this vital but rare balance in a person. This is what makes the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji unique in the entire world.

It is reiterated that Darshans inside the Holy Cave are in the form of natural rock formations called Pindies. There are no statues, pictures or idols inside. All along the track and at the Bhawan, there are many photographs explaining the nature of Darshans inside the Holy Cave. Yatries should observe these carefully since these are meant to guide them towards the final Darshans in the Holy Cave.

Currently Shri Narinder Nath Vohra in his capacity as Governor of Jammu & Kashmir is the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Members of the Board are Shri E. Sreedharan, Smt. Sudha Murty, Dr. Sudhir S.Bloeria, IAS (Retd.), Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Dr. Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd.) and Shri H. L. Maini.

WIKIPEDIA

MTA Bridges and Tunnels personnel fought snow and kept the RFK Bridge plowed, salted and sanded during the snowstorm of February 8-9, 2013.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels / Charles Passarella.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels is improving the Brooklyn-bound Verrazano-Narrows toll plaza, and reconstructing and widening the entrance and exit ramps near the bridge.

New precast panels are installed for the new eastbound Lily Pond Ramp, which will tie into the newly completed Lily Pond Bridge which is seen in the background.

Photo courtesy of STV, Inc.

IRT R-33S 9306 (1963)

Manufacturer: St. Louis Car Company, St. Louis, Missouri, 1963

Service: 1963-1976

Route: IRT Flushing line (7)

Many of the 51 million visitors to the 1964-65 World's Fair in Flushing MEadows Park arrived on 11-car "World's Fair Express" trains. Taking just 20 minutes to travel from Times Square to the fair site, these trains consisted of new R-36 and R-335 "Bluebirds," painted in a unique powder blue and off-white color scheme. To make a full train, 5 sets of R-36 cars coupled together in "married pairs" ran with one R-335. An order of 40 R-335 cars (the "S" denotes "single") completed the longer than usual trains. A single unit has motorman's controls at both ends, to allow operation from either end of the car, as needed.

While car 9306 was removed from service in 1976 to be displayed at the New York Transit exhibit, the rest of the fleet remained in service on the number 7 line. Rebuilt in 1985 at the Coney Island Overhaul Shop, these R-335 and R-36 cars were repainted as "Redbirds." Beginning in 2001 the fleet is being scrapped and replaced by R-142 and R-142A cars.

The New York Transit Museum, located in the decommissioned Court Street subway station at Boerum Place, was opened 1976 by the New York City Transit Authority and taken over in the mid-1990s by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The museum includes subway, bus, railway, bridge, and tunnel memorabilia; and other exhibits including vintage signage and in-vehicle advertisements; and models and dioramas of subway, bus, and other equipment.

Nyborg (Denmark), on April 5th 1997, a train IC3 is boarding on the ferry Prins Joachim, which will cross the Storebaelt and bring the train to Korsoer. The train will than go further to Copenhagen. We were seven weeks before closure of the ferry line, as the new bridge and tunnel opened on June 1st. On this day of April, the weather was rather bad : snow, strong wind and the sea was moving a lot. But this was not enough to disturb the trafic, train and ferry were perfectly on time. Photo: J.J.B.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels lent personnel and a fleet of 18 trucks and other pieces of heavy equipment to assist in the snow removal efforts in Suffolk County after a huge blizzard dumped up to 30 inches of snow across the County on February 8-9, 2013.

Photo: MTA Bridges and Tunnels

MTA Bridges & Tunnels Vice President and Chief of Operations Richard Hildebrand presents commendations to Sgt. Orlando Caholo and BTO Heather Minutello at the Queens Midtown Tunnel on Tue., June 22, 2021.

The officers spotted runaway dog Indie running through the tunnel, and contacted her owner, Heather Angus, leading to their reunion.

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA

B&O Railroad bridge and tunnel

The arch span of the Henry Hudson Bridge, as seen from underneath.

Courtesy of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archives

Bridges and Tunnels Director of Administration Sharon Gallo-Kotcher speaks to employees during a Safety Stand-down program on December 9, 2013. Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin

Under its mother’s watchful eye, a peregrine falcon chick is banded by NYC DEP Research Scientist Chris Nadareski atop the south tower of the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The chick, named Tillie, appeared healthy.

(Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

a shopping Cart in the KK River in Milwaukee, in the background is an abandoned rail bridge. Strangely enough, shopping carts are a common thing to be found in creeks and rivers like this, I guess that is what makes them so dangerous when they flood, you have no idea what the river is carrying....

The KK River meanders about the Milwaukee area and mostly through densely populated areas so it is not uncommon to find a lot of junk and debris at the choke points such as bridges and tunnels. Here is another great find on the KK, it is now gone and is far as I know was just covered with the sludge when they dredged the bottom..

As I stood in water, the stench was a bit overwhelming. I think it must be the thaw which is washing away all of the filth gathered over the winter, one cannot be to sure. One thing is certain, I am going to soak my boots in bleach.

The moon was nearly at full, the clouds were like a big florescent lighting system, hopefully we will have a day without clouds during this cycle.

here is a shot from back in 2008

Work being done on the $109 million reconstruction and widening of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge’s Queens approach by contractors E.E. Cruz and Tully Construction Co. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

This photo shows former New York Governor David A. Paterson speaking at the lectern.

The ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Crews work during Phase One of repairs to the upper level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Work is expected to continue through summer 2017. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

Every year there is a covered bridge festival in Ashtabula County during one weekend in October. There is usually a food or craft vendor at each bridge and lots of people especially if it is a nice fall day. There are many clubs that take the tour together. I have seen Corvette, Mustang, Mini Cooper, PT Cruisers, Harley-Davidson, antique car and MG clubs to name a few. It is great fun to drive around in the country on a nice day meeting all kinds of people. As you can see, people park along the side of the road and walk through the bridges or just walk around enjoying each others company. Here is a link for descriptions of all the bridges (17 in Ashtabula County). www.coveredbridgefestival.org/bridges.htm

If you have a few minutes, I have photos of all the covered bridges in my Bridges and Tunnels set www.flickr.com/photos/8428747@N05/sets/72157601923106888/

BMT D-Type Triplex Car 6095 (1927)

Car Manufacturer: Pressed Steel Car Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1927

Service: 1938-1965

Routes: BMT Brighton (D,Q), Sea Beach (N), 4th Avenue (R), and West End (B) lines

As subway service increased in the 1910s and 1920s, the private operating companies began to search for economical ways to increase passenger capacity. The BMT looked to new technology to offer a solution and in 1924 introduced plans for the Triplex, an articulated subway car. By the 1920s the concept of articulation--hinged, multi-sectioned vehicle body construction--had attracted a number of American street railways and inter-city electric "interurban" lines.

At 137 feet long and with seating for 160, the Triplex consisted of 3 car sections equivalent to 2 Standard cars in size and passenger capacity. At a time when many elevated lines operated with wooden cars, the Triplex represented the height of transit modernity. Soundproofing resulting from new truck design, produced a quieter ride. Illuminated signs, used for the first time, displayed both route destinations and "color-coded" numbers on car ends. Green signs indicated operation via the Manhattan Bridge; and white the Montague Street Tunnel.

The New York Transit Museum, located in the decommissioned Court Street subway station at Boerum Place, was opened 1976 by the New York City Transit Authority and taken over in the mid-1990s by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The museum includes subway, bus, railway, bridge, and tunnel memorabilia; and other exhibits including vintage signage and in-vehicle advertisements; and models and dioramas of subway, bus, and other equipment.

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels are pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels are pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

This is the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman Aqueduct on the Gardon River in France.

This monumental structure spanning the Gardon River valley is 275 metres long, 49 metres high, 6 metres wide at the base, 3 metres wide at the top and has a total of fifty three arches. It is only one part of a fifty kilometre aqueduct which supplied Roman Nimes with fresh water. It is estimated to have carried twenty thousand cubic metres per day.

It was built using six-ton stone blocks, coloured a delicate shade of pink, laid dry, and is a technological and aesthetic masterpiece.

Through poor maintenance, the aqueduct gradually became unusable in the 9th Century.

But the many times restored Pont du Gard, still remains its haughty air even after nearly two thousand years.

From a tourist book on La Provence (English version)

Begun around 19 BC, this bridge is part of an aqueduct which transported water from a spring near Uzes to Roman Nimes. An underground channel, bridges and tunnels were engineered to carry the 20 million litre (4.4 million gallon) daily water supply 50 km (31 miles).

The three-tiered structure of the Pont du Gard spans the Gardon valley and was the tallest aqueduct in the Roman empire.

Its huge limestone blocks, some as heavy as 6 tonnes, were erected without mortar. The water channel covered by stone slabs, was in the top tier of the three. Skillfully designed cutwaters ensured that the bridge has resisted many violent floods.

It is not known for certain how long the aqueduct continued in use but it may still have been functioning as late as the 9th century AD.

The adjacent road bridge was erected in the 1700s.

Taken from DK Eyewitness Travel: Provence & The Cote D'Azur

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels are pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

BMT Q Car Number 1612C (1908, Rebuilt 1938)

Car Manufacturer: Jewett Car Company (Newark, Ohio), 1908

Service: 1908-1969

Routes: Brooklyn elevated lines, 1908-1923; Astoria and Flushing lines, 1923-1949; Third Avenue Elevated, Manhattan, 1950-1955; Myrtle Avenue Elevated, Brooklyn, 1957-1969

City officials never considered wooden cars safe for subway tunnel operation and removed them from underground service after a 1918 accident involving wooden cars at Malbone Street, Brooklyn, killed 93 passengers. But more than 2000 open-platform elevated cars, such as 1612C (originally BRT car 1417), remained in use on elevated lines, which could not support the weight of new all-steel subway cars. In 1938 Car 1417 was rebuilt (and renumbered 1612C) to run with 1612A and 1612B; cars A and C were motorized, while car B was a trailer. Under the Dual Contracts, the IRT and BRT jointly operated new elevated sections, such as the Astoria (R) and Flushing (7) lines.

As the city prepared for the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens, the BMT faced a quandary. The company was not content to use outdated cars to take passengers to a fair dubbed “The World of Tomorrow,” but was unwilling to spend money on new cars that could be used only on IRT-width lines. Instead, the BMT compromised by rebuilding 90 open-platform cars, including 1612C, into closed vehicles and repainting the cars in the World Fair’s official blue and orange color scheme. The resulting cars were used on the Myrtle Avenue Elevated line (built in 1888) until 1969–providing 60 years of service in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. They were the last wooden elevated cars to run in North America.

The New York Transit Museum, located in the decommissioned Court Street subway station at Boerum Place, was opened 1976 by the New York City Transit Authority and taken over in the mid-1990s by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The museum includes subway, bus, railway, bridge, and tunnel memorabilia; and other exhibits including vintage signage and in-vehicle advertisements; and models and dioramas of subway, bus, and other equipment.

The upper deck of Queensboro Bridge as I leave Queens and enter Manhattan to get on my way to New Jersey and beyond.

In the New York City area, bridges and tunnels that lead to/from surface streets, like Queensboro, do not charge tolls, while those that lead to/from expressways and parkways, such as Queens-Midtown Tunnel nearby, charge tolls, $7.50 in cash (discounted to $5.33 on E-ZPass) for cars. Besides the tunnel was hopelessly jammed anyway, making the bridge the logical choice.

My journey back to California starts with a leisurely drive through the morning traffic of Midtown Manhattan. I will surely miss New York City again - all the more reason to extend my New York moments by a few extra minutes.

This is a previously uploaded photo, though re-cropped and turned into monochrome for a different effect.

Second Narrows Bridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Second Narrows Bridge is a vertical lift railway bridge that crosses the Burrard Inlet and connects Vancouver with the North Shore. As the name suggests, it is located at the second narrowing of the Burrard Inlet.

The original Second Narrows Bridge was constructed in 1925, and was the first bridge to connect Vancouver with the North Shore over the tidal bore of the narrows. This bridge was constructed, by John Stewart and Northern Construction, with a car deck and a year later in 1926 trains began using the bridge as well. After being hit by a number of ships and being out of service for 4 years, in 1933 the provincial government bought the bridge and installed a lift section of the deck.

In 1960 a new much larger (350 m, 1,150 ft, span) and higher 6 highway lane Second Narrows Bridge was completed alongside the original bridge, and the original bridge was converted exclusively for rail use. In 1994 the new bridge was renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in honor of the ironworkers who died in accidents while building it. However, the new bridge is still commonly referred to as the Second Narrows Bridge.

The 1926 railbridge was replaced in 1969 with a larger, higher lift bridge. A bridgetender activates cables and counterweights to raise the span. Unless moving a train across the Burrard inlet, the lift section is always in the up position to allow ships to go underneath. The Lions' Gate Bridge spans the first narrows of Burrard Inlet.

Background

Amid the hullaballoo of the Klondike Gold Rush were schemes to build a railway from Vancouver to the Dawson gold fields. Of course the first stage in this would be to bridge Burrard Inlet and then build a railway north. John Hendry floated the Vancouver, Westminster, and Yukon Railway which built a line from Ladner to Westminster and then to Vancouver via Burnaby Lake. This line was paired with the Great Northern Railway who also wanted trackage into Vancouver.

In the process, various other railroads all became involved in the bridging scheme: the Canadian Northern Railway, Milwaukee Road, and the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. The bridge itself would be owned by the Federal Government as they had control of harbours and shipping, and would lease access to the railways as they did with the rail bridge in New Westminster. One of the main reasons was that there was very little space on the south shore for wharves, thus railways wanted to develop the North Shore. The south side was occupied by another railway. A company was floated, the Burrard Inlet Bridge and Tunnel Company, and contracts were issued to span the tidal bore. A one point, a causeway was planned to dam the narrows and create bridges and wharves that way.

Alas, World War I intervened, as did the bankruptcy of all the interested railways. With it went dreams of the bridge and rails up Indian Arm, Capilano, or Howe Sound. However, the predecessor railways did sign contracts to build a bridge and a new Hotel Vancouver. Only after the war with huge increase in funding to improve harbours around the British Empire, partly due to problems associated with wartime shipping, did funds appear for the completion of the 1925 bridge. And so the north shore port became an amalgam of operations with Canadian National, Pacific Great Eastern and Harbour and Wharves Commission all using the bridge when it was not out of service. North Vancouver ferries operated at this time as well.

The essential wartime shipyards in North Vancouver, underscored the need for reliable industrial access. Further, the expansion of Lynnterm, Wheat elevators, coal and the sulphur port in the 1960s indicated the growing use of the North Shore.

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

The overall ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels are pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Norfolk, Va. Toll Plaza on Norfolk side and entrance to Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Published by Bender Enterprises, Virginia Beach, Va.; printed by Colourpicter Publishers, Boston 30, Mass; "Plastichrome" card #P64393 (N-100), not postally used, dates from 1960s

From the CBBT website:

The Bridge-Tunnel project is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia's Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia. The crossing consists of a series of low-level trestles interrupted by two approximately one-mile-long tunnels beneath Thimble Shoals and Chesapeake navigation channels. The manmade islands, each approximately 5.25 acres in size, are located at each end of the two tunnels. There are also high level bridges over two other navigation channels: North Channel Bridge and Fisherman Inlet Bridge. Finally, between North Channel and Fisherman Inlet, the facility crosses at-grade over Fisherman Island, a barrier island which includes the Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Toll collection facilities are located at each end of the facility.

Official Name:

Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel

Operated by:

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission

Route:

US 13 connecting Virginia Beach/Norfolk to Virginia's Eastern Shore

Museum that displays historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, commuter rail, and bridge and tunnel systems.

On Monday, October 22, 2012, the former Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in honor of New York State's 51st Governor.

The ceremony was attended by New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former Governor Mario Cuomo, former Governor and MTA Board member David A. Paterson, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, members of the Carey family, and staff of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

IRT 'Low Voltage' Trailer 4902 (1917)

Manufacturer: Pullman Company, Pullman, Illinois (1917)

Service: 1917-1964

Routes: All IRT Lines

Like other subway cars, low voltage (or Lo-V) cars draw 600 voltes of direct electric current from the third rail for power, but they use a much lower current--32 volts coming from btteries--to operate the motor controller and door controls. By sending a lower voltage of electricity into the interior of the cars, the motorman was protected from electrocution. In addition, low voltage cars allowed for automatic car acceleration.

When the IRT subway first opened, it ran "composite" cars--wooden bodies sheathed in copper. These were eventually replaced by all-steel cars. The low voltage cars resembled the IRT standard all-steel car design developed in 2901 by George Gibbs.

The design, modified in 2904, was altered again in 1910 to include a center door. Car number 4902 was part of the second series of low-voltage motor and trailer cars delivered to the IRT in 1917. These cars had a few cosmetic alterations from the first series delivered in 1916. For example, car numbers once painted on the window glass now appeared on steel plates, and brass window sashes replaced wooden ones.

The New York Transit Museum, located in the decommissioned Court Street subway station at Boerum Place, was opened 1976 by the New York City Transit Authority and taken over in the mid-1990s by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The museum includes subway, bus, railway, bridge, and tunnel memorabilia; and other exhibits including vintage signage and in-vehicle advertisements; and models and dioramas of subway, bus, and other equipment.

The day trip covered about 350 miles round trip. If you're thinking about doing your own road trip to visit Philadelphia or the Longwood Gardens, or if you want to learn more about the places I visited during my trip, here is some info that might be helpful.

Itinerary

- Leave Ashburn, VA, early morning

- Destination 1: Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA

- Destination 2: Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA

- Destination 3: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA

- Go home to Ashburn, VA

Memorable Experiences

Visiting Reading Terminal Market is a multi-sensory experience: sights, sounds, smell. I've visited similar indoor markets in other cities (Grand Central Market in LA, Chelsea Market in NYC, Pike Place Market in Seattle), and comparatively, I think Reading Terminal Market has its unique charm. It's pretty cool to find southern comfort food, Indian-Pakistani food, French crepes, Chinese roast duck, oyster bar, and ice cream shop within feet away from each other. Then there is the fresh produce, meat shop, fresh seafood shop, artisan cheeses. Also the local flavors like the cheesesteaks, pizza, deli sandwich, and various fresh products from the nearby Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It's definite a great place to visit for both out-of-towners and local alike to appreciate the culture that makes up the city of Philadelphia.

Unexpected Experiences

While walking inside the Conservatory at the Longwood Gardens, I noticed some people started walking into the ballroom. It turned out that the Organ Sing-Along was about to start. I decided to participate, and it was pretty neat experience to sing along some familiar holiday tunes accompanied by the massive organ.

Food Notes

There are so many choices to sample at Reading Terminal Market, but the two places that I tried out definitely left a really good impression. Delilah's southern comfort food is definitely great to have especially after walking out in the cold in downtown Philly. I only tried the side dishes, and those were good, but next time, I might try out their fried chicken or ham.

DiNic's roast pork sandwich is a good representation of the common, blue-collar type food you find all throughout Philadelphia. Long line of people waiting to get the awesome sandwich for less than $10. Who would eat at Subway with this option available?

Travel tips

1. About the destinations:

a. Independence National Historical Park

- There is a parking garage underneath the Visitor Center. It is very convenient for those visiting the Independence National Historical Park, but it is also quite expensive. I paid about $18 for around 2 hours of parking.

- The Independence Hall tour is free, but you need to get a timed ticket as they try to regulate the number of people entering the building at any given time. You can get the ticket at the Visitor Center like I did, but if you're visiting on a busy time (e.g., during the summer or holidays), you may want to get the ticket ahead of time online to avoid long wait.

b. Reading Terminal Market

- Parking is provided at the garage next door, and similar to the Independence Hall parking, it is very expensive. But you can get discounted rate if you get your parking ticket validated by one of the market's merchants after a purchase of $10 or more. With the validation, you pay $4 for two hours (instead of close to $20).

- You can just pick one place inside the market and eat there, or alternatively, combine the specialty foods from the various merchants to come up with your own meal (sandwich from one place, side dishes from another, dessert and drinks from yet another place)

c. Longwood Gardens

- The Longwood Christmas program is very popular. You should get the timed tickets ahead of time if possible (you can order them online).

- Arrive early (before dark) to get decent parking spot, but plan to stay at least til it gets dark and you get to experience the light displays.

- Dress warmly, as you would likely spend some time outdoors.

2. During my drive to Philadelphia, on Interstate 95 I passed a convoy of buses (must be at least 30 of them) escorted by the state troopers. It turned out that those were the midshipmen from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, on their way to Philadelphia for the annual Army-Navy college football game. This game is held around the first couple of weeks in December every year; it has been a tradition since 1890. If you happen to travel on the day when the game is held, you may want to time your travel so you won't run into traffic around the stadium before and after the game.

3. Having a GPS (or at least a city map) is very helpful when driving in and around Philadelphia. The streets in downtown Philadelphia are very narrow and can be confusing, so having navigation aid definitely helps in finding places there. The EZ-Pass transponder is also nice to have when driving on I-95 especially for going through the toll roads, bridges, and tunnels.

Destinations

1. Lodging: N/A

2. Dining:

Delilah's at the Terminal, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA - southern comfort food, famous for mac n' cheese

DiNic's, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA - roast pork sandwich

3. Places to visit:

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA - site of the signings of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Liberty Bell

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA - foodie destination, various cuisines, local produce, local shops

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA - botanical gardens known for its Christmas displays -- about half million lights illuminating the trees and the gardens

Resources

- Lonely Planet's New York, Washington DC, and the Mid-Atlantic Trips - some ideas and information on visiting the area

- Independence National Historical Park - info for visiting the sites, getting tickets online

- Reading Terminal Market - info on vendors in the market

- Longwood Gardens - info on the gardens and the events held there, getting tickets online

- TripAdvisor - a great travel website to do research on places at your destination and read people's reviews

NYC DEP Research scientist Chris Nadareski with falcon.Two baby boys and one baby girl peregrine falcons are banded atop the Brooklyn tower at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

Officers gathered at the King Fook Funeral Home on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn to mourn the passing of MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer Thomas Choi, who was struck by a motorist while performing his duties at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Oct. 20, 2013. He succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness on Dec. 29, 2014. Officer Choi is the first MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the agency.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels wraps up installation of new environmentally friendly LED lights at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, the last of the agency’s four suspended spans to upgrade its “necklace” light fixtures that are part of the bridges’ architectural features. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin