The Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Bridge, better known as the Triborough or Triboro Bridge, is a complex of three separate bridges in New York City, United States. Spanning the Harlem River, the Bronx Kill, and the Hell Gate (part of the East River), the bridges connect the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx via Randall's Island and Ward's Island, which are joined by landfill.
Often historically referred to as simply the Triboro, the spans were officially named after Robert F. Kennedy in 2008.

The Manhattan branch is the Harlem River Lift Bridge, which links the Harlem River Drive, the FDR Drive, and 125th Street, Harlem's commercial and cultural center. The Bronx Crossing leads motorists to points north via the Bruckner and Deegan expressways and, more locally, to the neighborhoods of the South Bronx and the Port Morris Industrial Area. The longest span of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the East River Suspension Bridge to Queens, connects with the Grand Central Parkway and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and to Astoria's residential areas, restaurants, and shops.

The bridge's three branches meet on Randall's Island, where an interchange and two toll plazas sort out traffic flowing in 12 directions and provide access to the island itself. Adjacent to the Manhattan toll plaza is the Robert Moses Administration Building, the TBTA's headquarters.

Randall's Island is largely city parkland; that includes Icahn Stadium, softball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, and some city facilities. In 1951, the TBTA constructed and gave to the city a pedestrian bridge between 103rd Street in Manhattan and Wards Island, providing another access by foot to Randall's Island and Wards Island.

On May 5, 2010, An abandoned U-Haul along the RFK Bridge caused a traffic nightmare in Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx as police shut down all lanes to inspect the vehicle at 10 pm Wednesday. The NYPD bomb squad inspected the vehicle and gave the 'all clear,' said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne.

A police vehicle equipped with x-ray equipment inspected the truck and found nothing inside. Police also cut a hole in the shell of the truck to look inside and also found nothing of concern.

The incident began at 9:40 PM when a bridge toll operator saw a man run away from the truck and towards Queens. The operator then went towards the vehicle and smelled gas. That operator called police, according to Browne.

It is not known why the man ran away from the scene, Browne told nbcnewyork.com.

The vehcile was left on a ramp leading from the Bronx section of the Bruckner Expressway heading to Manhattan and Queens. NYPD and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority officers were on scene to try to redirect traffic as the investigation was ongoing. The fire department was also called to the scene as a precaution.

The concern over the abandoned U-Haul truck, which had Arizona plates, comes amid the ongoing Times Square car bomb investigation.

Officials stressed closing the bridge to traffic for more than an hour was a precaution.








Tags: rfk bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge