This week, we're celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which has served as a vital link connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn since Nov. 21, 1964. When it opened, it was the world’s largest suspension span and today, remains the longest suspension bridge in North America at a total 9,865 feet between abutments. Designed by renowned civil engineer Othman Amman, the bridge carries more than 1,600 MTA buses every weekday and carried over 80 million vehicles in 2023. Here are some historic photos of the iconic bridge! -- Photo Information: Photo 1: Opening day motorcade crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on November 21, 1964 Photo 2: The first car to cross over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. George Scarpelli and his six passengers drove a Cadillac and wore rented tuxedos. Photo 3: Ship passing under cables on September 25, 1963, Photo by Paul Rubenstein for Lenox Studios Photo 4: Groundbreaking Ceremony on August 13, 1959, Photo from Port Authority Photo 5: Men installing iron guard frames over cable on November 17, 1964, Photo by Paul Rubenstein for Lenox Studios Photo 6: Cable squeezing apparatus on Brooklyn side span cable "A". September 12, 1963. Photo by Paul Rubenstein for Lenox Studios Photo 7: Floor truss unit erected, Photo by Paul Rubenstein for Lenox Studios Photo 8: Poster for the 22nd Annual New York City Marathon, held November 3, 1991.
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Years ago, when I needed approval of the TBTA chief engineer to work on a project at the VNB, I mentioned I had worked on the Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. He replied that those bridges are not the Verrazzano. As you can see from my bio photo, I got the job. One request - please correct the spelling of the most important bridge engineer in NYC history. It's Othmar Ammann.
I think it’s amazing that some of the longest bridges in the world are right here in New York State headed West from Manhattan, Brooklyn or the mainland. Several impressive bridges over the Hudson like Tappan Zee (16,300 ft), Mid Hudson (3,000 ft), Bear Mountain (2,250 Ft), Newburgh-Beacon (7,850 ft), Walkway Over The Hudson (6,700 ft), Kingston-Rhinecliff (7,800 ft), Rip Van Winkle (5,000 ft), George Washington (4,700 ft), Verrazano Narrows (13,700 ft) And for bonus points Goethals Bridge from Staten Island to Elizabeth, NJ is also 7,000 ft, and Bayonne Bridge to Staten Island is 5,780 ft but neither cross the Hudson or the Narrows leading to the Hudson, but they both cross water that dumps in New York Harbor at the mouth of the Hudson. Also where I live in the Capital District we have about a dozen 1,000+ foot bridges from Albany North through Rensselaer County into Saratoga County crossing the Hudson. Our own Mohawk natives helped build George Washington Bridge and climbed over 600 Feet high to run suspension cables from end to end. I’m a New York Historian and Tour Guide and you can follow me around New York Staye on FB or IG @NativeNewYorker518 or check my site www.RomeAroundTheWorld.net for travel, food & history
As Staten Island resident, this is our gateway to the outside world
When do you think they will “remove the toll” for the bridge that was PROMISED on the bridges 20th anniversary??? LOOK IT UP !!!
Found this button at a shop in Williamsburg a couple years back. It’s from the opening ceremony of the Verrazano 60 years ago, and was part of the IHSA’s campaign to have the bridge named after, and then actually referred to as, the Verrazano. Cool piece of history, and worth looking into the story if you have the time!
A rail link to the rest of New York City is badly needed and should be explored. Even if that means a light rail over the VB to fourth Avenue.
Curious as to it’s service life status & any plans to replace in the next 15 years.
this bridge makes me nostalgic
My Dad called it The Ginny Gang Plank ????
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5 小时前Unfortunately, the families forced out of their homes to make way for the Gowanus Expressway approach to the Bridge would disagree. In our house, Robert Moses' name was anathema. I grew up one block from the highway where 100s of families that my parents and grandparents knew were dispossessed.