One of 21 around the island of Manhattan” most likely refers to one of the bridges associated with the network of crossings connecting Manhattan to surrounding areas. The phrase is commonly linked to the 21 Bridges concept, popularized by the 2019 crime thriller 21 Bridges. However, the exact bridge cannot be identified from this clue alone because several different bridges could fit the description.
Introduction
The phrase “one of 21 around the island of Manhattan” points toward an interesting feature of New York City’s geography: its extensive network of bridges connecting Manhattan with neighboring boroughs, islands and New Jersey.
Manhattan is surrounded by waterways, including the East River, Harlem River and Hudson River. Bridges play an essential role in connecting the island to the wider New York metropolitan area, allowing people, vehicles, cyclists and trains to travel between different parts of the region.
The number 21 is particularly recognizable because of the popular reference to the 21 bridges associated with Manhattan. The phrase also gained widespread attention through the 2019 film 21 Bridges, which used the idea of closing the crossings around Manhattan as part of its crime-thriller storyline.
But what exactly does the clue mean? Is it referring to the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, George Washington Bridge or another structure?
The answer depends on which crossing the clue is describing. Understanding Manhattan’s geography and bridge network helps explain the reference.
What Happened?
The phrase refers to the bridges and transportation connections surrounding Manhattan Island. It is not the official name of a particular bridge or a confirmed identification of one specific structure.
Manhattan’s location makes bridges especially important. The island is bordered by waterways that separate it from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Roosevelt Island and New Jersey.
Several major bridges provide direct connections, while smaller structures serve pedestrians, railway services and local transportation.
The number 21 is often used in discussions about these crossings, although the exact count depends on the geographical boundaries and the types of structures included.
Why is the number 21 associated with Manhattan?
One major reason is the 2019 movie 21 Bridges, starring Chadwick Boseman. The film follows a New York police detective investigating a major crime and features a plan to close Manhattan’s bridges and tunnels to prevent suspects from escaping.
The film helped bring the phrase “21 bridges” into popular culture.
However, the movie’s title should not be treated as an official government inventory of Manhattan’s bridges. Different sources use different counting methods.
Key Details: Understanding the Bridges Around Manhattan
Here are some important facts that help explain the clue.
- Location: Manhattan is one of New York City’s five boroughs and is primarily situated on Manhattan Island.
- Surrounding waterways: The East River, Harlem River and Hudson River define much of its geographical boundary.
- Important connections: Bridges connect Manhattan with Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and New Jersey.
- Different transportation types: Some bridges carry cars, while others accommodate trains, pedestrians and bicycles.
- Historical significance: Several bridges are important examples of American engineering and New York City’s development.
- Counting differences: A list of crossings can change depending on whether railway bridges, pedestrian structures and connections to nearby islands are included.
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) confirms that the city manages hundreds of bridges and tunnels. It also explains that transportation infrastructure is divided among several agencies, including NYC DOT, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Bridges+1
Famous Bridges That Could Fit the Clue
If someone asks for “one of 21 around the island of Manhattan,” several well-known structures could be possible answers.
Here are some of the most recognizable examples.
1. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in New York City. It connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn across the East River.
Opened in 1883, it is also the oldest bridge in New York City that remains open to passengers or vehicles, according to NYC DOT.
The bridge is known for its distinctive stone towers, suspension cables and pedestrian walkway.
It has become a major tourist attraction and an important transportation route for people travelling between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Bridges+1
2. Manhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge is another important East River crossing. It connects Chinatown in Lower Manhattan with Downtown Brooklyn.
Completed in 1909, the bridge supports seven lanes of vehicle traffic, four transit train lines, a pedestrian walkway and a separate bicycle path.
It is also an important part of the city’s daily transportation network.
NYC DOT reported that an average of 70,293 vehicles, 3,413 pedestrians and 6,391 cyclists used the bridge daily in 2024. These figures illustrate how important the structure remains for local travel. Manhattan Bridge
3. Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge connects the Lower East Side of Manhattan with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Opened in 1903, it is one of the major East River bridges and an important route for vehicles, subway trains, cyclists and pedestrians.
Its large steel structure gives it a different appearance from the Brooklyn Bridge.
The bridge is especially significant for commuters travelling between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
4. Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge
Also known as the Queensboro Bridge or 59th Street Bridge, this structure connects Manhattan with Queens.
It crosses the East River and passes over Roosevelt Island.
The bridge is an important transportation route and is recognized for its large steel construction and multiple levels.
NYC DOT identifies it as its busiest bridge based on the average weekday vehicle figures published on its bridge statistics page, although those figures are from 2010 and should not be mistaken for current traffic counts. Bridges
5. George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Upper Manhattan with Fort Lee, New Jersey, across the Hudson River.
It is one of the most important transportation connections between New York and New Jersey.
The bridge carries substantial regional traffic and is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey rather than NYC DOT.
Its location makes it particularly important for commuters travelling between the two states. Bridges
6. Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Previously known as the Triborough Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge is a complex bridge system connecting Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx through several spans.
It is an important regional transportation structure.
The bridge is operated by MTA Bridges and Tunnels, demonstrating that not every major crossing around Manhattan is managed by the same agency. Bridges
Other Bridges Associated With Manhattan
Several other bridges contribute to the wider network surrounding the island.
These include:
| Bridge | General connection or location |
|---|---|
| Willis Avenue Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Third Avenue Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Madison Avenue Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| 145th Street Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Macombs Dam Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| High Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Alexander Hamilton Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Washington Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| University Heights Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Broadway Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Henry Hudson Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
| Spuyten Duyvil Bridge | Manhattan and the Bronx |
There are also railway and pedestrian crossings that appear in some broader lists.
An important distinction is that not every structure included in a popular list necessarily connects Manhattan Island directly to another borough or state. Some cross smaller waterways or connect nearby islands.
This is one reason different publications may report different totals.
Background: Why Does Manhattan Have So Many Bridges?
Manhattan’s geography explains why bridges have played such an important role in its development.
Unlike a city built entirely on continuous mainland territory, Manhattan is surrounded by water. As New York expanded, residents and businesses needed reliable ways to travel between the island and neighboring communities.
Early transportation depended heavily on ferries and boats.
However, population growth, industrial development and increasing commercial activity created demand for permanent connections.
The development of the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge became one of the most important milestones in New York’s transportation history.
When it opened in 1883, it provided a permanent connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Its construction represented a major engineering achievement and helped improve movement between the two growing urban centers.
NYC DOT identifies it as the oldest bridge in New York City still open to passengers or vehicles. Bridges
Expansion of the East River crossings
As the city continued growing, additional bridges were constructed.
The Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903, followed by the Manhattan Bridge in 1909.
These structures provided additional routes between Manhattan and Brooklyn, supporting the growing movement of people and goods.
The bridges also became recognizable parts of New York City’s architectural identity.
Connections to the Bronx and New Jersey
Development did not stop at the East River.
Bridges across the Harlem River improved access between Manhattan and the Bronx.
The George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1931, created a major direct connection between Manhattan and New Jersey.
Together, these structures helped establish the transportation network that supports the metropolitan area today.
What Officials and Organizations Said
The most useful authoritative information about Manhattan’s bridges comes from organizations responsible for their management and operation.
New York City Department of Transportation
NYC DOT provides information about bridge ownership, maintenance, construction and transportation infrastructure throughout New York City.
Its official website identifies the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge among the major East River crossings.
It also explains that some bridges are managed by other agencies, including the MTA and Port Authority. Bridges
New York Open Water
New York Open Water organizes the 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan.
Its official course information describes a 28.5-mile swimming route around Manhattan Island.
The route passes under 20 bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and George Washington Bridge.
This is particularly useful because it demonstrates that a recognized athletic event uses a 20-bridge count rather than automatically adopting the popular 21-bridge description. New York Open Water
Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority
The MTA and Port Authority are also responsible for important transportation crossings.
Their involvement helps explain why Manhattan’s bridge network cannot be understood through one agency’s bridge list alone.
Different organizations maintain different structures according to their responsibilities. Bridges
Why This Matters
Understanding the phrase “one of 21 around the island of Manhattan” is useful for several reasons.
1. It helps explain New York City’s geography
Manhattan’s bridges are more than architectural landmarks. They provide essential connections between communities separated by waterways.
Without these crossings, travelling between Manhattan and neighboring areas would be considerably more difficult.
2. Bridges support daily transportation
Thousands of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and train passengers use Manhattan’s major bridges.
These structures support commuting, business activity, tourism and the movement of goods.
The Manhattan Bridge traffic figures published by NYC DOT demonstrate how heavily some of these crossings are used. Manhattan Bridge
3. The bridges have historical and architectural importance
Several Manhattan crossings are recognized landmarks.
The Brooklyn Bridge, for example, represents an important period in American engineering history.
Other bridges illustrate how transportation infrastructure developed alongside New York City’s population and economy.
4. The number 21 has become a recognizable cultural reference
The popularity of 21 Bridges introduced the phrase to audiences who might not otherwise have been interested in New York City’s transportation infrastructure.
It also generated curiosity about how many bridges actually surround Manhattan.
However, readers should remember that a movie title and an official transportation inventory serve different purposes.
What Happens Next?
There is no specific breaking-news development associated with the phrase “one of 21 around the island of Manhattan.”
Instead, it is best understood as a geographical, cultural and trivia-related reference.
Manhattan’s bridges continue to serve the city’s transportation network, while the responsible agencies undertake maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements.
NYC DOT publishes bridge and tunnel condition reports covering infrastructure conditions and planned maintenance projects. Readers interested in current construction work or bridge closures can consult its official website. Bridges
For anyone trying to solve a crossword, quiz or trivia question, the most important point is that the clue does not provide enough information to identify one particular bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and several other crossings could fit the description.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does “one of 21 around the island of Manhattan” mean?
It most likely refers to one of the bridges associated with Manhattan’s surrounding transportation connections. It is a geographical or trivia-style description rather than the official name of a particular bridge.
2. How many bridges surround Manhattan?
The number commonly associated with the phrase is 21. However, the total depends on which bridges, railway crossings, pedestrian structures and nearby island connections are included. The organized 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan, for example, follows a route beneath 20 bridges.
3. What is the most famous bridge around Manhattan?
The Brooklyn Bridge is arguably the most recognizable. It opened in 1883 and connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn across the East River.
4. Does the Manhattan Bridge count as one of the 21 bridges?
Yes, the Manhattan Bridge is commonly included in lists discussing bridges associated with Manhattan. It connects Chinatown in Lower Manhattan with Downtown Brooklyn.
5. Which bridges connect Manhattan to Brooklyn?
The three major East River crossings connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn are:
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Manhattan Bridge
- Williamsburg Bridge
6. Which bridge connects Manhattan to New Jersey?
The George Washington Bridge connects Upper Manhattan with Fort Lee, New Jersey, across the Hudson River.
7. Why is the phrase “21 Bridges” famous?
The phrase became especially recognizable through the 2019 action-crime film 21 Bridges, starring Chadwick Boseman. Its storyline involves an effort to close Manhattan’s bridges and tunnels during a police investigation.
8. Is there really a 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan?
Yes. New York Open Water organizes the 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan, a 28.5-mile swimming route around the island. The route passes under 20 bridges and provides a different way to experience Manhattan’s waterways and infrastructure.
