Opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is widely considered the greatest engineering achievement of the 19th century. This vision of designer John Augustus Roebling would be the longest bridge ever built at the time. During the 30-year construction period, the project withstood city politics, numerous construction conundrums and accidents, and the death of Roebling. Standing as a prime example of American technological and architectural progress, this iconic suspension bridge remains one of the world's most recognized structures. Built to link Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge remains the most popular bridge in New York, open to pedestrians and motorists alike. Today, more than 160,000 people cross the bridge every day.