Iefore the construction of the Queensboro Bridge began, plans to connect the East River to Long Island had long been in the works. Attempts to fund the construction of the Queensboro Bridge only came to fruition in 1901, when the Department of Bridges resolved to take on the project. The well regarded bridge engineer, Gustav Lindenthal was recruited by New York City Mayor Seth Low, to be the commissioner of the Department of Bridges. Lindenthal collaborated with Leffert L. Buck and Henry Hornbostel, designers of the Williamsburg Bridge. As the Commissioner, Gustav proposed a cantilever style of design for the Queensboro Bridge. Utilizing this type of design allowed for the bridge to continue for long spans. In addition the cantilever design allowed large boats to pass under the bridge. Passing over Roosevelt Island, the Queensboro Bridge connects the neighborhoods of the Upper East Side, Manhattan, to Long Island City in Queens. The official name of the bridge is Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, but most people refer to it as the Queensboro Bridge, or the 59th Street Bridge. The construction of the Queensboro Bridge encountered several hurdles along the way. In 1904 the new mayor of New York, George McClellan removed Gustav Lindenthal as commissioner from the Department of Bridges. This action delayed the construction significantly, since major disagreements and lack of unity in vision became an issue. A series of unfortunate events slowed down the progress in later years. A severe wind storm destroyed a section of the bridge and labor disputes plagued the project. The Pennsylvania steel company made a profit by illegally installing excessive amounts of steel to the bridge, which later had to be removed. In 1908 the Queensboro Bridge was finally completed. It had cost the lives of 50 workers and $20 million dollars. In 1909, a week long celebrations followed the official opening of the Bridge, during which festivities such as parades, marathons, circus and theater performances were held all around New York City.