Bridge 12.98

Spanning the Narrows, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island and Brooklyn. This iconic bridge, with its massive towers and graceful cables, has a rich history. The idea of a Narrows crossing was debated for decades. Plans for a Liberty Bridge, championed by engineer David B. Steinman in the 1920s, were stalled. Tunnel proposals in the 1920s and 1930s met similar fates. Finally, in the late 1940s, Robert Moses pushed for the bridge we see today. Construction on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge began in 1959. Othmar Ammann led the design team, incorporating innovative features to ensure its stability and strength. The bridge opened to traffic on November 21, 1964. The lower deck was added in 1969, accommodating ever-increasing traffic. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge held the title of world’s longest suspension bridge for 17 years, until surpassed by the Humber Bridge in the UK. It remains the longest suspension bridge in the Americas. A notable quirk is the bridge’s name. Initially misspelled “Verrazano” with one “z” in the 1960 contract, it was officially corrected to “Verrazzano” with two “z”s only in 2018. Today, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge serves as a vital artery, carrying millions of vehicles annually. It stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and a gateway to New York City.