To replace the deteriorating bridge, the city originally intended to build a cable-stayed bridge, with a 150 ft (46 m) high tower, 13 ft (4.0 m) wide at the top, with a base of 26 ft (7.9 m).
Vertical clearance above high water would be 12 ft (3.7 m).
The new bridge would be located in the same footprint as the existing bridge, although it would be 17 ft (5.2 m) wider to accommodate three standard-width traffic lanes, a bicycle lane and a pedestrian walkway.

The original schedule was for the project to begin in 2007 with completion in 2010.
The project was then postponed until June 2012.
Due to the project postponement, during 2010 repairs were made to the existing bridge deck, piers, and west abutment.
Due to a lack of funding the project was delayed once more until the city announced it would accept bids in late 2012, with Tutor Perini selected as general contractor in February 2013.
In 2005 the estimated cost of the project was $50 million.
In 2009 the estimate increased to $120 million due to redesigns and the addition of related projects.
The final bid came in at $102.7 million.

Some residents, however, opposed the design of the cable-stayed bridge and felt that its tower would be out of character with the low-rise homes on City Island.
Opponents of the bridge design filed a lawsuit against the city on November 6, 2013.
A Bronx Supreme Court judge granted a temporary injunction on that date.
In December 2013 the court lifted the injunction, but ruled that the city must conduct public hearings.
The city's prior consultations with the island community, which began during the early design stages, had been informal.
The court's ruling requires the city to follow its Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which includes local Community Board hearings.
On May 5, 2014, the original bridge plans were scrapped, and the de Blasio administration chose to go with a slightly cheaper and much shorter causeway-style bridge.
The bridge, which was later approved, would be completed by 2017.

A temporary steel bridge was erected in 2015, but a partial collapse in September delayed the opening of the temporary bridge.
On December 16, 2015, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) conducted a road test on the temporary steel bridge by running heavy equipment including fire trucks over the bridge.
The NYCDOT conducted the tests to ease residents' concerns about the integrity of the temporary structure.
Two days later on December 18, the original bridge was closed, and traffic was routed to the temporary bridge.
Shortly after that, the city began demolishing the original bridge, with the new bridge being constructed on the same site as the 1901 bridge.
The new bridge opened on October 29, 2017.
To replace the deteriorating bridge, the city originally intended to build a cable-stayed bridge, with a 150 ft (46 m) high tower, 13 ft (4.0 m) wide at the top, with a base of 26 ft (7.9 m). Vertical clearance above high water would be 12 ft (3.7 m). The new bridge would be located in the same footprint as the existing bridge, although it would be 17 ft (5.2 m) wider to accommodate three standard-width traffic lanes, a bicycle lane and a pedestrian walkway.
The original schedule was for the project to begin in 2007 with completion in 2010. The project was then postponed until June 2012. Due to the project postponement, during 2010 repairs were made to the existing bridge deck, piers, and west abutment. Due to a lack of funding the project was delayed once more until the city announced it would accept bids in late 2012, with Tutor Perini selected as general contractor in February 2013. In 2005 the estimated cost of the project was $50 million. In 2009 the estimate increased to $120 million due to redesigns and the addition of related projects. The final bid came in at $102.7 million.
Some residents, however, opposed the design of the cable-stayed bridge and felt that its tower would be out of character with the low-rise homes on City Island. Opponents of the bridge design filed a lawsuit against the city on November 6, 2013. A Bronx Supreme Court judge granted a temporary injunction on that date. In December 2013 the court lifted the injunction, but ruled that the city must conduct public hearings. The city's prior consultations with the island community, which began during the early design stages, had been informal. The court's ruling requires the city to follow its Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which includes local Community Board hearings. On May 5, 2014, the original bridge plans were scrapped, and the de Blasio administration chose to go with a slightly cheaper and much shorter causeway-style bridge. The bridge, which was later approved, would be completed by 2017.
A temporary steel bridge was erected in 2015, but a partial collapse in September delayed the opening of the temporary bridge. On December 16, 2015, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) conducted a road test on the temporary steel bridge by running heavy equipment including fire trucks over the bridge. The NYCDOT conducted the tests to ease residents' concerns about the integrity of the temporary structure. Two days later on December 18, the original bridge was closed, and traffic was routed to the temporary bridge. Shortly after that, the city began demolishing the original bridge, with the new bridge being constructed on the same site as the 1901 bridge. The new bridge opened on October 29, 2017.
City Island Bridge