BBT
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel
Hugh Who?
The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (since 2012 the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) was being planned and debated about for almost 2 decades before it's opening in 1950. You can check out a short history here . Like the Holland Tunnel and the Queens Mid-Town Tunnel (but not the Lincoln) there were a number of customized manhole covers cast. Because of the pace of building and the tightness of space however there seems to be only one BBT cover remaining in a public space.
DESIGN:
The design was at the cutting edge of the banal design trends seen during the second half of the century. A simple diamond grid and simple un-ornamented initials,with sloppy lettering to boot, there is no sense of pride in craft seen here.
UTILITY:
There is no indication of what the function of the cover is, whether sewer or electricy or signals.
RANGE:
This homely cover is on Trinity Place near Morris St. in the triangle overlooking the entrance to the BBT in lower Manhattan.
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