how long to build the george washington bridge

How Long did it Take to Build the George Washington Bridge?

The George Washington Bridge with its distinctive crisscrossed bracing is one of the most recognisable bridges in America. Connecting the state of New York with the state of New Jersey, this beautiful steel bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the world. It is also home to the world’s largest free-flying American flag. This feat of engineering is so impressive that in 1981 the American Society of Civil Engineers designated the bridge a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Curious to learn more? Then, read on. We’ll tell you how long it took to build the George Washington Bridge, as well as plenty of other interesting facts about its construction. 

How Long did it Take to Build the George Washington Bridge?

It took 4 years to build the George Washington Bridge.

When was the George Washington Bridge built?

Workers started construction of the George Washington Bridge on 21 September 1927. They completed the structure in 1931. New York Governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the bridge’s opening day on 24 October 1931.

Where is the George Washington Bridge?

One end of the bridge is located in Washington Heights in Manhattan. The other end is in Fort Lee in New Jersey. The bridge connects the two states.

What river is does the George Washington Bridge span?

The bridge spans the Hudson River.

What type of bridge is the George Washington Bridge?

It is a double-decked suspension bridge. 

Who built the George Washington Bridge?

Othmar Ammann designed the George Washington Bridge. Ammann was a Swiss-born architect and civil engineer and he worked on the project with design engineer Allston Dana and assistant chief engineer Edward W. Stearns. Cass Gilbert was the consulting architect.

how long to build the george washington bridge

What is the George Washington Bridge made of?

The bridge is made of steel.

How long is the George Washington Bridge?

The main span of the George Washington Bridge is 1,100 metres (3,500 feet) long. The main span was the longest in the world until the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in 1937. The total length of the George Washington Bridge is 1,450 meters (4,760 ft).

How tall is the George Washington Bridge?

The bridge’s height is 184 metres (604 ft). The bridge stretches 212 feet (65 m) above mean high water.

 

Much much traffic crosses the bridge?

The George Washington Bridge is the busiest vehicular bridge in the world. It has 14 lanes and two decks (worker added the second deck in 1962). There are seven lanes of traffic each way. Some 280,000 motor vehicles cross the bridge every single day. Around 104 million vehicles cross the bridge annually.

How many people died building the George Washington Bridge?

Officially, twelve workers died during the construction of the bridge. Legend has it that three men fell into wet cement and were entombed forever.

How much did it cost to build the George Washington Bridge?

It cost roughly $60 million to build the George Washington Bridge. By comparison, it cost $15 million to build the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883 and it cost $35 million to build the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937.

Who was the first person to cross the George Washington Bridge?

Apparently, two schoolchildren on roller-skates were the first to cross the bridge from the New York side. Jose Acuna was the first person and Ray Salmas was the second to walk across the bridge. They did so on 25 October 1931. In 1962, Omero C. Catan, a man of many firsts, became the first to cross the lower level of the George Washington Bridge.

Melanie May

Melanie is an intrepid solo traveller, endlessly curious about people, places and food. She is a fan of slow travel and loves exploring the world by mouth, discovering a culture through its food. Having backpacked her way around the world she turned her wanderlust into a career and is now a full-time travel writer.

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