Not All Hear Ring in New Bridge Name

Noting that the Queensboro Bridge was christened in that name, many won’t be toasting

“It’s in the NYCDOT books and on two bronze plaques, Queensboro Bridge,” famed bridge photographer commented on Facebook. “That is the name it was christened,” he added, “anything else is BS.”

Frieder has climbed 16 of for his photographs, according to his Web site. He will refer to the crossing as the “Queensboro Bridge” in his upcoming book, he said.

Construction on the bridge began on the $20 million bridge project in 1901, according to the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission. It started carrying traffic in 1909. Each day, 192,000 vehicles cross it to either get from 59th St. in Manhattan, to Long Island City, or the reverse.

In Western Queens, one Woodside resident, Comics Editor and Social Media Consultant Jeff Newelt, disagreed with Frieder’s sentiment.

“I think that nothing is wrong with it,” he said of the addition of former Mayor Ed Koch’s name to the bridge’s appellation. “I don’t think it does anyone any harm, and only does good to reward someone who has—agree with him or disagree—had so much objective loyalty and passion for people of the city.”

Speaking farther from the foot of the bridge in Bayside, Democratic activist and Community Board 11 Member Steve Behar said, “With all due respect to Mayor Koch, the Queensboro Bridge is named in honor of Queens, and I believe it should remain in honor of Queens.”

Behar’s CB 11 colleague, preservationist Frank Skala, said changing the names of landmarks or streets is in general a waste of time.

“After 102 years it’s good enough to stay the way it is,” said Skala, adding that Koch has no particular significance for Queens.

“It’s people from outside the borough who do want it done,” said Skala. “It makes no sense—unless they’re kissing up to Koch for some reason.”

Skala said he worries about people who do not live locally, who will not hear of the change, and may become lost and confused by new signs coupled with old maps.