![\"carroll](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/dot-carroll-street-historic.jpg\")
The bridge, in its open position, in 1903. Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Records and Information Services<\/p>\nThe historic Carroll Street Bridge was built before cars dominated the streets of New York City, and when it reopens after a five-year closure on June 15, they won\u2019t be welcome to cross its boards anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles will be able to make use of the 137-year-old bridge from now on, Department of Transportation commissioner Mike Flynn announced on Wednesday.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201cGowanus has been dramatically transformed in recent years as more and more New Yorkers call the neighborhood home,\u201d said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. \u201cAs the community becomes more residential, we are pleased that we could preserve this historic bridge while adapting our infrastructure to make it more welcoming to Brooklynites on two feet and two wheels. The newly renovated Carroll Street Bridge, with new restrictions barring truck and vehicular traffic, will help ensure that transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bridge, in its open position, in 1903. Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Records and Information Services<\/p>\n
Some locals have been urging<\/a> the city to keep cars off the bridge, hoping to \u201creclaim\u201d and pedestrianize a portion of the rapidly-changing Gowanus waterfront. The push was backed by Council Member Shahana Hanif and Community Board 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n Built in 1889, the wooden, retractile Carroll Street Bridge is one of only four of its kind in the entire U.S. It opens \u201clike a drawer,\u201d as described by DOT, to let maritime traffic pass through.\u00a0<\/p>\n The bridge was shuttered in 2021 as the federal Environmental Protection Agency began driving piles into the ground to help support it during Superfund cleanup operations.\n<\/p>\n But officials quickly realized that the pile driving had damaged the bridge<\/a>, which was already in need of significant repair. The bridge had been slated to reopen in March 2022, but that deadline was scrapped as officials worked to determine just how much work the structure would need. Since then, it has remained locked in its open position.<\/p>\n Significant repairs were made to the bridge\u2019s abutments \u2014 supportive structures located at either end of the span \u2014 and its approach, according to DOT. It also got a new timber \u201cwearing surface,\u201d or top layer, and new signage and street markings to indicate that vehicles are not welcome. In the coming days, the agency plans to add more \u201cvertical\u201d elements, like planters, to discourage drivers from crossing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that the historic Carroll Street Bridge will reopen as a dedicated connection for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles, and I strongly support this people-first vision for the bridge,\u201d Hanif said in a statement. \u201cThis outcome reflects years of advocacy from local residents and Brooklyn Community Board 6, who consistently told us they wanted the bridge prioritized for people, not through-traffic. In a neighborhood where so many residents walk and bike, this will strengthen connections across the canal and improve safety. I\u2019m grateful to NYC DOT for listening to the community and embracing a vision that preserves this beloved landmark while meeting the needs of the Gowanus community.\u201d<\/p>\n Though some worried that pedestrianizing the bridge would worsen local traffic, DOT said there was \u201cno measurable impact\u201d on the comparable Gowanus Canal crossings \u2014 the Union Street, Third Street and Ninth Street bridges \u2014 and that the Carroll Street Bridge saw relatively few vehicle crossings to begin with.\u00a0<\/p>\n With just one lane, it typically saw only around 1,000 vehicle crossings a day, per News12<\/a>, the smallest number of any DOT-operated bridge.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"carroll](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/dot-carroll-street-bridge.jpg\")
The bridge is nearly ready for its grand re-opening. Photo courtesy of NYC DOT<\/p>\n