Even before the bridge was finished people were outraged to find out that there might have been embezzlement of funds. Public pressure opened up an inquiry into the financial records of the bridges construction and it became clear that the interests of New York and Brooklyn had not been protected. Mr. Kinsley was forced to resign on June 1st of 1873 after his name came up in these inquiries.

After this show things went a lot more smoothly. Many people were outraged that the opening day coincided with the Queens birthday. The people accused the bridge trustees of being traitorous and demanded that the date be changed to the 4th of July which was less than two weeks away. The bridge opened as schedule much to the dismay of many citizens.

This bridge became the symbol of American Ingenuity as well as of New York. In these days, a project of this magnitude was looked upon in awe. The first day it was open the tolls were one penny and after that 3 pennies. Walking across this bridge was a tremendous deal and many families did not let their children cross without parental supervision until the age of 18.