Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge

This bridge carries Cross Bay Boulevard across Grassy Bay from Howard Beach to the Rulers Bar Hassock, on the way to the Rockaways.

The Addabbo Bridge wins the Fiboro Award for Best Bridge because it has three non-car lanes on each side, as many as it has for cars. It has one bike lane on each side, and a pedestrian path to the right of it, separated by a concrete divider. Unlike the Marine Parkway Bridge, it has separate areas for fishing which are separated from the pedestrian walk by chainlink fences, so that walkers and bladers don’t get in the way of fishers, and vice versa.

If you are taking the bridge to the Rockaways, a new bike lane was installed in June 1997, leading all the way through the neighborhood of Broad Channel to the Cross Bay Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.

Howard Beach entrance:

Cross Bay Boulevard at 165th Avenue.  For a detailed view of the approaches to this bridge, click here.

Comment from a Web site visitor (November 28, 2001):

"The Addabbo Bridge may have 3 non-car lanes but it certainly was not a pleasure to walk when we crossed it in August. There are many people fishing on that bridge. That in itself is not a problem except for the fact that the fishermen leave behind all kinds of debris and garbage. We were expecting a wonderful experience and found ourselves appalled by the filth that we had to step around and across."

Comment from a Web site visitor (July 12, 2002):

"I have now been going to the Addabbo bridge for the past few months to go fishing. I agree that there is a lot of garbage and debris up there, but I wouldn't place all the blame on the fishermen. It's not there fault there is no place to throw anything away. I think there should be a few garbage cans placed up on the bridge so the fishermen have some place to dispose of their trash."

Comment from a Web site visitor (October 22, 2002):

"I think the last comment was a pathetic excuse for the disgusting filth on this bridge. While I do agree with the fact that garbage cans would be of some help, this does not excuse “regular garbage” from being thrown on the ground. It can be taken with you when you leave the bridge.

Garbage is not the only problem these fishermen cause for other users of this bridge.

I am a nearby resident and a boater, motorist, as well as a bicyclist and rollerblader. I cross over and under this bridge regularly and the fishermen who are privileged to fish from the bridge do NOT take care of it by any means and, in fact, some often break the law.

For years I have witnessed the filth pile up whether it is from fishermen or their families who might even have the occasional barbeque on this bridge.

Fishermen toss everything from garbage to seaweed to unwanted fish and crabs in the fishing area, in the bike and pedestrian paths, and even out into the traffic lanes. The unwanted crabs and fish would be tossed into these lanes in hopes to be either run-over by motorists or to be snatched up by the hovering seagulls. More than half the seagulls that swoop down to pick up the sea life in the car lanes are often hit and killed, damaging cars (including my own TWICE) and creating more of a mess with bird carcasses to be left on the bridge to rot as well.

This is a barbaric ritual that happens daily at all times of the year and by many different people.

And this only scratches the surface.

With the amount of garbage lying "on" the bridge, one could imagine the amount of trash being thrown off the bridge as well.

On top of this, the fishermen have "clearly-marked" designated fishing areas on the bridge and for a very real purpose. The center span of the bridge, where the boat traffic travels under, is off-limits to fisherman and the overhang of the bridge is fenced up to keep fishermen out.

Again, the Neanderthal fishermen of the Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge do what it takes to survive. They have, time and time again, used wire cutters to cut themselves a sweet fishing spot right in the line of boat and jetski traffic. Now, being a boater, I have to play dodge-the-fishing-lines to keep from tangling their mono into my propeller and damaging my outboard. Luckily for me I don't have an inboard like most boaters and won't have to go diving to remove the bird's nest from beneath my yacht.

I've also seen the maintenance crew of the bridge repair these fences on many occasions, only to have them ripped open again a few days later.

This angers me in more ways than one. The mess keeps me and other people from enjoying our new bridge, the gulls that pay the ulitimate price, the damage caused to my car and boat, and I'm SURE that MY tax money is going into the fence repairs..... where does it end, and what for?!?

I strongly feel that fishing, in its entirety, should be banned on this bridge. It benefits no one but the fishermen who can't even take care of the bridge.

Garbage cans or no garbage cans, the problem will be there as long as the fishermen are."

Comment from a Web site visitor (February 26, 2003):

"Regarding bridge garbage. Whether you are a bicyclist or a fisherman, the reality is the same. If you carry something in, you must carry the remnants out. It's a lesson we all learn as children."

For more info, visit NYC Department of Transportation.