The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City, spanning the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn and also the longest suspension bridge in the world built in 1883.
But to some they are emblems of romantic love, reminders in steel of unbreakable connections. To others they are ‘love locks’ encrusting a beloved landmark. The so-called love locks are padlocks placed on the Brooklyn Bridge by lovers to signify their bond. In recent years, couples have tied hair bands, shoelaces and even headphones to the bridge, the department said.
But it is risky for the bridge that is over a hundred years old. Recently, a wire holding up a light snapped under the weight of the locks.
In recent years, engineers have been cutting away tens of thousands of the locks, whose sheer weight they say could damage the bridge.
And the New York City Transportation Department deterrence’s campaign to keep the besotted lovers from further festooning the age old bridge is a fine of $100 fine for the illicit act of adoration.
“This is a global phenomenon,” said a city official, “There are so many ways to express your love — hold hands, take a beautiful picture, have a beautiful dinner.” Leaving locks and other flotsam on a bridge should not be one of them, she said.
But city officials think simply telling people who visit the bridge not to leave the locks behind or imposing a mere fine will not work.
Instead they are proposing a wall at the base of the bridge perhaps, where people can position their locks, stating, “We have to roll with it. There is a lot of hate going on right now.”
But although idea was being considered, it would still be a lot of work to periodically cut those locks, too.
There are several reasons not to put a lock on the bridge.For one, the concentration of locks sometimes makes it difficult for maintenance workers to gain access to parts of the bridge. The process of removing locks, which is done with bolt cutters, is risky for the cars below; a lock can slip from a worker’s hands. Above all, it is the weight.
An old bridge isn’t built with this much extra capacity, to hold that weight.
As another city official suggested, “Sometimes sentiment has to be weighed against a potential danger. As a sentiment I send my wife flowers. They’re lighter.”
Source: NYLOCAL
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