William Cullen Bryant Viaduct

Construction on the Bryant Viaduct and the rest of the Roslyn Bypass commenced in the mid-1940s, after several years of delays and World War II-related material shortages. The highway and its bridge, which had been compared to New Jersey's Pulaski Skyway, were planned in order to eliminate severe congestion on the existing route through Roslyn, which had long been considered one of the worst traffic bottlenecks on Long Island. == History ==

Original bridge (1949–2012) The original bridge was completed in 1949, and a ceremony was held on October 21 of that year by Governor Thomas E. Dewey. It officially opened a few months later, on January 3, 1950. The four-lane bridge was built using a pin and hanger design. Lighting was added to the bridge in 1956, after Nassau County agreed to cover the costs in lieu of the Village of Roslyn. The lights were installed along the median of the bridge, which had been designed and constructed with provisions being made for their future installation. The Bryant Viaduct subsequently received modifications over the next couple years to safeguard it and its pin and hanger design from experiencing such a failure. After careful consideration, officials ultimately decided to replace the bridge with a new one up to modern standards. Construction was originally intended to be completed by 2007 – but numerous factors led to multiple delays & setbacks, and the replacement bridge was ultimately completed in 2012. Dedication & renaming, 2012 In 2012, the Roslyn Viaduct was officially dedicated to – and renamed after – the late poet, journalist, and Roslyn resident, William Cullen Bryant; the bridge was officially renamed the William Cullen Bryant Viaduct. Bryant, who had purchased a home in present-day Roslyn Harbor in 1843, was one of the most famous and influential residents in Roslyn's history. == See also ==