If you’ve been to New York City recently, or live there, you may notice how the Brooklyn Bridge seems to have a new glow to it.

A preservation effort spanning four years focused on restoring the Brooklyn Bridge, both in aesthetics and in safety, was recently completed. Over decades the limestone, granite, bricks, steel, and cement that form the bridge accumulate grime that can damage and corrode. The project entailed cleaning stones and brick, and replacing mortar.

In addition, the bridge got a new lighting system that includes fifty-six energy-efficient LED lights to illuminate the iconic towers. Industrial Wire Rope is proud to have played a role in the new lighting: we provided the safety cable for this portion of the project.


This was a very gratifying project for Industrial Wire Rope. Having a role in restoring such an iconic and historic structure, and to “illuminate” the engineering wonder of its time that it represents, is greatly rewarding. It also evokes a sentimental sort of historical connection. For, beyond wire rope being a component of the new lighting system in the 21st century, it was a new “technology” in the mid-1800s, and it played a significant role in major developments in bridge construction.

The Brooklyn Bridge was one of the first large-scale applications of steel wire rope, and it helped pave the way for future suspension bridges around the world. In fact, the Brooklyn Bridge has an older “sibling,” and it is in our Cincinnati area: the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. The shared history of these two bridges is fascinating, as we’ll describe later.

First, here’s a quick look at the significance industrial wire rope meant for bridge construction nearly two centuries ago. Its impact was not only on transportation, but more broadly, the expansion of the United States.

Wire Rope – From Canals to Bridges

It was a canalboat accident that killed two workers on a canal system known as the Allegheny Portage Railroad that set John Augustus Roebling on a quest to build a better rope. The Allegheny Portage Railroad system used railroad tracks – and 9-inch hemp ropes – to haul canalboats over the mountains. The ropes needed frequent replacement as they tended to fray and break.

After Roebling witnessed such an occasion with the canalboat “careening down a mountain,” he developed a seven-strand iron wire cable that was twisted manually. Roebling’s wire rope eventually replaced hemp ropes on canalboats. It was also the forerunner to the massive cables he developed for the suspension bridges he designed: the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Highlights of his wire rope construction in relation to the Brooklyn Bridge include:

  • Suspension Cables: For the Brooklyn Bridge, the main suspension system consisted of four massive cables, each made of thousands of individual steel wires twisted together to form a thick rope. These cables stretched across the East River and supported the bridge’s roadway.
  • Construction: The wire rope was spun on-site by a special machine developed by Roebling, and his son, Washington Roebling. The process involved laying out individual steel wires and twisting them together into long ropes. The ropes were then suspended between two massive stone towers on either side of the river.
  • Strength and Durability: The wire rope’s strength allowed it to bear the heavy weight of the bridge deck, as well as the constant load of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The steel wires, compared to earlier materials like iron, had a much higher tensile strength, making them ideal for this use.
  • Innovations: The use of wire rope for suspension bridges was an innovation at the time. It allowed the Brooklyn Bridge to span a longer distance than previous bridges, with the main span reaching 1,595 feet. The flexibility and strength of the wire rope were key factors in the success of the bridge’s design, which combined a suspension bridge with a unique system of masonry towers and cables.

Perhaps it’s because our main office is in the Cincinnati area that it is so compelling to point out that the Brooklyn Bridge is the second one Roebling designed. While it is the larger of the two bridges, the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge which links North and South across the Ohio River between Cincinnati, OH and Covington, KY, was the first to be built.

Completed in 1866, the John A. Roebling Bridge served as a model for the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge was actually completed in 1883, after Roebling’s death, by his son, Washington. The Brooklyn Bridge and the Roebling Suspension Bridge share several important features. Some of the key similarities follow:

  • Suspension Bridge Design: as both are suspension bridges, they rely on cables to carry the load of the bridge deck. The cables are hung from towers, and the deck is suspended beneath them. This design allows the bridges to span long distances without the need for many supporting piers in the water.
  • Wire Rope Cables: Both bridges use wire rope cables to support the bridge’s deck. As described, John A. Roebling was a pioneer in the development of steel wire rope, and he used it on both bridges.
  • Use of Towers: On both bridges, stone towers support the suspension cables. These towers are a fundamental part of the suspension bridge design and provide the necessary height to hold the cables taut. The towers are monumental in both cases; the Brooklyn Bridge towers are particularly iconic due to their Gothic design.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of both bridges is the engineering they represent. The Roebling Suspension Bridge was the first to use steel wire cables for a suspension bridge; this was a groundbreaking achievement. Similarly, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, and the first major one to use steel wire rope for its suspension cables.
Furthermore, both bridges were vital in the development of transportation and commerce in their respective regions. The Roebling Suspension Bridge helped connect Cincinnati, Ohio, to Kentucky, playing a crucial role in the growth of the region. The Brooklyn Bridge became a critical link between Manhattan and Brooklyn, facilitating both road and rail traffic, and it remains an iconic symbol of New York City.

The next time you’re nearby, be sure to include a nighttime drive on the Brooklyn Bridge. Contemplate its history and engineering wonder and enjoy the lights illuminating the breathtaking Gothic design. A tip for greatest enjoyment: let someone else drive!