What if I told you that this bridge was almost covered in stone? Welcome to the George Washington Bridge. It is a marvel of engineering and a vital artery connecting New York and New Jersey. The George Washington Bridge stands tall over the Hudson River. It connects Fort Lee in New Jersey to Washington Heights in Manhattan. It is named after George Washington. He was a Founding Father and the first U.S. president.
The George Washington Bridge is not just any bridge. It is the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge. Over 104 million vehicles crossed it in 2019. It is also the only suspension bridge with 14 lanes. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns it. People call it the GW Bridge, the GWB, the GW, or simply the George. During construction, it was known as the Fort Lee Bridge or Hudson River Bridge.
The George Washington Bridge measures 4760 feet long. Its main span is 3500 feet long. From its opening in 1931, it was the longest bridge span in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge took the title in 1937.
Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the Hudson via the George Washington Bridge. U.S. Route 46 ends halfway across the bridge. It stops at the New York state border. The bridge continues onto the Trans-Manhattan Expressway in New York City.
The idea for a bridge across the Hudson River came up in 1906. But, planning and construction only began in 1925. New York and New Jersey voted to allow it. Construction started in September 1927. The George Washington Bridge was dedicated on October 24, 1931. It opened to traffic the next day. The George Washington Bridge’s opening boosted Bergen County, New Jersey’s development. The upper deck expanded from six to eight lanes in 1946. The six-lane lower deck was built from 1959 to 1962 to handle more traffic.
Othmar Ammann designed the George Washington Bridge. Allston Dana and Edward W. Stearns assisted. Cass Gilbert was the consulting architect. It links Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Washington Heights, Manhattan. The George Washington Bridge’s construction used massive amounts of material. This included 113000 short tons of fabricated steel. There were 28000 short tons of wire stretching 106000 miles. Also, there were 20000 short tons of masonry.
The George Washington Bridge carries 14 lanes of traffic. There are seven lanes in each direction. It has more vehicular lanes than any other suspension bridge. The upper level opened in 1931 with six lanes. Two more lanes were added in 1946. The lower level opened in 1962. The upper level’s clearance is 14 feet. Trucks and large vehicles must use it. The lower level has a 13.6-foot clearance. Trucks are not allowed there. Both levels have lanes that are 8 feet 6 inches wide.
There are sidewalks on the upper span. The north sidewalk closed after the September 11 attacks. It reopened in 2017. A suicide prevention fence was added. Before 2023, the north sidewalk had 171 steps. A renovation replaced these with a ramp. Two viewing platforms were added.
The George Washington Bridge has four main cables. Each cable is 3 feet in diameter. Each contains 61 strands. Every strand has 434 individual wires. In total, there are 26474 wires per cable. The cables are covered in weather-resistant steel.
The George Washington Bridge’s towers are 604 feet tall. They contain 475000 rivets. The original plan was to encase the towers in concrete and granite. This changed due to cost savings during the Great Depression. Some favored the exposed steel towers. Le Corbusier praised the steel architecture.
Since 1947 or 1948, the George Washington Bridge has flown a large American flag. It is displayed on special occasions. The flag is 90 feet long and 60 feet wide. It weighs 450 pounds. It hangs inside the New Jersey tower arch.
The George Washington Bridge stands as a testament to human ingenuity. It shows aesthetic beauty, and functional design. As we conclude our tour, take one last look at the George Washington Bridge. Consider its history. Think about its impact on the region. It is more than just a bridge. It is a symbol of connection. It embodies progress and the enduring spirit of New York and New Jersey.