Madison Avenue Bridge Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Samuel Schwartz (R) president and co-founder of the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission watches Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (h) and Bronx Borough President Robert Diaz (C) shake hands on Madison Avenue Bridge's 100th Anniversary. Alosio Santos/The Epoch Times

NEW YORK—The 100th anniversary celebration of Madison Avenue Bridge this Wednesday launched the annual Bronx Week of Festivities in the borough.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer met half way on the bridge from opposite ends to shake hands and cut a white and blue birthday cake dedicated to the century old span.

The anniversary was also a perfect opportunity for Borough President Diaz to announce the start of a twelve-day fun and games in the Bronx.

“We want not only Bronx section, but we want you from Manhattan, [people] from all over the city to celebrate with us,” said Diaz.

Bronx Week Activities

The festivities include daily events put on by the city and feature themes like Family & Veterans Day, Art & Culture Day, and Environmental Day.

There will be over 100 celebratory activities in the course of the week that will target people of all ages and with different interests.

Children can listen to authors read stories at the Bronx zoo, grownups can enjoy free spa services and learn to Zumba, a dance workout set to Latin music, youth can join BronxNet at the media forum, and seniors can attend “Senior Idol” at the James Monroe Senior Center. Business workshops and franchise fairs will also be available.

Although most of the events are free, some can range from $3.00 to $60.00.

For more information on Bronx Week 2010 please visit www.bronxweekevents.com or call 718.590.BRONX

The 100th Anniversary

The Madison Avenue Bridge anniversary celebration symbolized a welcome gesture for everyone to come down to the events.

President Stringer brought the Choir of Harlem Academy from the Manhattan side to sing the National Anthem, and President Diaz was accompanied to the bridge by a marching band dressed in green and white.

On a more serious tone, the summit also showed the importance of sustaining infrastructure that bridges the boroughs together.

“As we celebrate the span’s centennial,” said Stringer in a press release “It’s important to note that the city must continue to invest in its infrastructure, so that generations of New Yorkers will be able to take advantage of valuable resources like this bridge.”

The Madison Avenue Bridge, opened in July 1910, is operated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and carries 50,000 vehicles every day over the Harlem River.