In 2004 a movie called Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo (based on a 1992 novel by Federico Moccia) hit the big screen—it included a scene where a couple secured their love (via a lock) to a bridge, and then tossed the keys into the river below. In Italy this has plagued the Ponte Milvio, and since then it's become an increasing occurrence on the Brooklyn Bridge. The Department of Transportation keeps this physical embodiment of true love from spreading, and has been tasked with ripping the locks off. Harsh but NECESSARY, romantics.
Recently a reader named Mark Roberts spent some time with the guys (yes, all men, naturally) who cut the "love locks" off of the bridge, and sent us this takeaway from his time with the team:
"Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge lately and you can't help but notice the increase in padlocks engraved with messages of love affixed to the cables and railings. A team from the DOT patrols the bridge two or three times a month to insure that the exponential proliferation of locks doesn't reduce the bridge to Roebling rubble.
Most locks yield easily to the team's industrial-strength bolt cutters (one wonders about the commitment of couples whose love is symbolized by locks meant for luggage zippers). Some locks have resisted multiple attacks. Today's recalcitrant restraints included a straight-shackle padlock perfectly fitted to a steel lattice fence (Chrissy and Dorian, nothing short of a blowtorch will part you!), and a fist-sized lever padlock apparently made in the 19th century that elicited the cry, 'We'd be better off cutting the lamppost it's attached to!'
The guys seemed to enjoy the challenge of the toughest locks and the ribbing of the tourists who accused them of homewrecking."
The broken locks are fated to land in a recycling bin... which is sort of deep and meaningful and depressing on its own.
Click through for a look at the pure joy that comes from physically breaking the symbols of forever love.
