New York’s George Washington Bridge - The World's Busiest Bridge

Looking south at sunset from the New York side of the Bridge.

Photo courtesy Jim Harper & Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.5

View north along I-95.

Photo courtesy Famartin & Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0.

The George Washington Bridge is a doubledecked suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the New York City borough of Manhattan with the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee. The 4,760 foot long, 604 foot tall bridge spans the Hudson River from western Manhattan into Fort Lee in eastern New Jersey. Twice as long as any previous suspension bridge, it was the marvel of its time. When it opened, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. Its record was broken by the Golden Gate Bridge in

Washington Bridge is the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge, carrying over 105 million vehicles annually. This is an average of nearly 290,000 vehicles every day. The one way toll into New York City is $16.00 for autos, but there is no toll for the return trip to New Jersey. EZ passes reduce these fares for commuters. You can cross the bridge for free, however. Just walk or use a bicycle on the top deck! The bridge is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a bi-state government agency that operates infrastructure in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The bridge sits near the sites of Fort Washington (in New York) and Fort Lee (in New Jersey), which were fortified positions used by General George Washington and his American forces as they attempted to deter the occupation of New York City in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. Unsuccessful, Washington evacuated Manhattan by crossing between the two forts.

Washington Bridge is the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge, carrying over 105 million vehicles annually. This is an average of nearly 290,000 vehicles every day. The one way toll into New York City is $16.00 for autos, but there is no toll for the return trip to New Jersey. EZ passes reduce these fares for commuters. You can cross the bridge for free, however. Just walk or use a bicycle on the top deck! The bridge is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a bi-state government agency that operates infrastructure in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The bridge sits near the sites of Fort Washington (in New York) and Fort Lee (in New Jersey), which were fortified positions used by General George Washington and his American forces as they attempted to deter the occupation of New York City in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. Unsuccessful, Washington evacuated Manhattan by crossing between the two forts.

History

The idea of a bridge across the Hudson River was first proposed in 1906, but it was not until 1925 that the state legislatures of New York and New Jersey voted to allow for the planning and construction of such a bridge. Construction on the George Washington Bridge started in October 1927.

Bridge Tower

Photo courtesy Jessica Becker on Unsplash

George Washington Bridge at night

Photo courtesy James Ting on Unsplash

George Washington Bridge at dusk

Photo courtesy Bryan G. on Unsplash

The original structure was built (1927–31) by the Swiss-born engineer Othmar H. Ammann according to the modified designs of architect Cass Gilbert. It was constructed to carry eight lanes of traffic. A lower deck with six more traffic lanes was added in 1958–62, along with a modernistic bus terminal on the Manhattan side. The George Washington Bridge was dedicated on October 24, 1931, eight months ahead of schedule. The opening ceremony, attended by 30,000 guests, was accompanied by a show from military airplanes, as well as speeches from politicians including New Jersey governor Morgan Foster Larson and New York governor Franklin D. Roosevelt. The opening of the George Washington Bridge contributed to the development of Bergen County, New Jersey, in which Fort Lee is located. The upper deck was widened from six to eight lanes in 1946. The six-lane lower deck was constructed beneath the existing span from 1958 to 1962 because of increasing traffic flow.

Key Travel Corridor

The George Washington Bridge is an important travel corridor within the New York metropolitan area. It has an upper level that carries four lanes in each direction and a lower level with three lanes in each direction, for a total of 14 lanes of travel. The speed limit on the bridge is 45 mph. The bridge’s upper level also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 (composed of U.S. 1 and U.S. 9) cross the river via the bridge.

The New Jersey Turnpike (part of I-95) and U.S. Route 46, which lie entirely within New Jersey, terminate halfway across the bridge at the state border with New York. At its eastern terminus in New York City, the bridge continues onto the TransManhattan Expressway (part of I-95, connecting to the Cross Bronx Expressway).

Largest American Flag

Since 1947, the bridge has flown the world’s largest free-flying American flag, measuring at 90 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 450 pounds. Until 1976, the flag was taken out of a garage in New Jersey and manually erected on national holidays. During the United States’ bicentennial, a mechanical hoisting system was installed, and the flag was stored along the bridge’s girders when not in use. It is hoisted on special occasions when weather allows, and appears on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Since 2006, the flag is also flown on September 11 of each year, honoring those lost in the September 11 attacks.

Largest American Flag flying from the bridge

Aerial view of the bridge.