A New York City bridge, the Third Avenue Bridge, connecting Manhattan and the Bronx over the Harlem River, became stuck open on Monday afternoon due to overheating caused by hot summer weather. The incident occurred around 2:46 p.m. when the metal in the 126-year-old bridge overheated and swelled.
The New York City Fire Department responded to the situation, with reports of the bridge being stuck halfway open. Both marine and land units were on standby to address the issue. Aerial footage showed firefighters working to cool down the bridge by pumping water onto it.
With temperatures in New York City reaching as high as 90 degrees on Monday, the aging bridge struggled to cope with the heat. Originally opened in 1898, the Third Avenue Bridge faced a rare challenge due to the extreme weather conditions.
The FDNY also mentioned that the New York Police Department was present to manage traffic flow as the incident caused significant congestion during the evening rush hour. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the bridge malfunction.
Authorities are actively investigating the situation to determine the cause of the overheating and the extent of any damage to the bridge. As of now, no further details have been released regarding the incident.
