For many years, rail freight was transported across the harbor by float bridge.
A float bridge brought in rail cars by barge to the market.
Abandoned float bridges are preserved as part of this history at:
Also, several other abandoned but unrestored float bridges exist in various locations around New York Harbor.
Each raft consists of two tug boats and four sections, which form a Class 60 raft or a float bridge when coupled together.
But in the 1930's, there were 80 to 90 float bridges in the city, transporting about 5,000 rail cars a day, Mr. Flagg said.
This float bridge and team tracks would allow vendors to receive carload lots of produce for resale in the Wallabout Market.
Previously plans called for the gantries to be demolished in phases and replaced by two new float bridges and a barge transfer station.
The remnants of two other float bridges immediately to the south would be cleared away, though the bridge trusses may be kept in place.
The landscape architects Thomas Balsley Associates incorporated float bridges into the design.