Excerpt:
Gustav Lindenthal had a dream. He wanted to build a bridge across the lower Hudson River, connecting Manhattan with New Jersey. I've got a far more modest dream. I want to run across the Hudson River on one of the bridges that has subsequently been built.
...Lindenthal was already a successful bridge builder when he came to New York City in 1885. He made his reputation in Pittsburgh, where he designed and supervised construction of bridges, including the Smithfield Street Bridge. Pittsburgh is a living primer of bridge construction. I don't know of a city with a denser collection of varied bridge designs. The Smithfield Street Bridge crosses the Monongahela River, connecting downtown Pittsburgh with "Sahside". This beautiful bridge is immediately recognizable with its lenticular trusses.
Annotation:
Essay by Steven Cangemi about Lindenthal's dream to construct a bridge across the Hudson River.