The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, once the longest suspension bridge in the world, has now spanned six decades of New York City history. Since its opening on November 21, 1964, the bridge has connected Staten Island to Brooklyn, revolutionizing transportation and transforming the boroughs.
Designed by Othmar Hermann Ammann, a Swiss-born engineer who also designed the George Washington and Bayonne bridges, the Verrazzano was originally built with 1.4 million tons of concrete, 218,000 tons of steel, and 143,000 miles of cable wire. The bridge’s primary role is to move motorists across its two decks and 13 lanes.
Today, the Verrazzano averages over 220,000 vehicle crossings per day, with 80.3 million in total for 2023 – a staggering 375% increase from 1965. To maintain the structure, officials perform near-daily upkeep, including structural painting, patching potholes, and changing lighting fixtures.
In recent years, the MTA has launched plans to dehumidify the cables, reduce congestion pricing delays, and reconstruct exits on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Long-term goals include rehabilitating the lower-level deck, conditioning the bridge for electric vehicles, and exploring pedestrian or bicycle access.
As a testament to its enduring impact, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge has served as the scenic starting point of the New York City Marathon since 1976 and was featured in the 1977 John Travolta movie “Saturday Night Fever.” As officials prioritize maintaining the bridge’s excellent condition for decades, they emphasize that these structures are not disposable and require significant investment to keep them in good repair.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/11/21/verrazzano-narrows-bridge-60th-birthday