12 Fascinating Facts About the George Washington Bridge

Two Historic Battlegrounds Straddle the Bridge

The bridge links sites rich in Revolutionary War history: on one side, the Manhattan side near Fort Washington, and on the other, Fort Lee in New Jersey. Prior to his famed crossing of the Delaware, George Washington had earlier fled the area after an unsuccessful campaign, falling back from Whit e Plains. A few days later Fort Lee would also come under British control.

Swiss-American Engineer Designed the Iconic Span

While ideas for a large Hudson River crossing had floated around for decades, the design finally took form under Swiss-born engineer Othmar Ammann, working for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. His plan was more economical and simpler than earlier grander visions, which included trains and extravagant cost estimates.

Built on Four Massive Cables That Defined the Design

The bridge is supported by four gigantic cables — each consisting of thousands of steel wires. Those cables anchor in vast concrete blocks and suspend the roadway, forming the backbone of the structure. The total length of steel wire used across the span comes to tens of thousands of miles.

Ahead of Schedule and Below Budget

Although construction began in the late 1920s and the bridge opened in 1931, it was completed eight months ahead of its target date and for about US$59 million—an impressive feat in that era given the scale of the project.

The Name Nearly Changed, But Stayed the Same

The bridge was originally planned under a more generic name (such as “Hudson River Bridge”), but the decision was made to honour George Washington. Despite some opposition and alternative names being proposed, the name stuck.

World’s Longest Suspension Bridge Upon Opening

When it debuted, the George Washington Bridge held the title for the longest suspension bridge main span in the world: 3,500 feet long, surpassing the previous record holder. That distinction lasted until 1937, when the Golden Gate Bridge opened.

Originally Built with Six Lanes of Traffic

At its opening, the bridge carried a six-lane roadway. Within the first year, millions of vehicles crossed it. The structure allowed for future expansion by reserving space in the center lanes.

A Second Deck Added Underneath as Traffic Grew

As traffic demands increased, in the late 1950s and early 1960s a second deck was constructed beneath the original span. This lower level carries additional lanes and helped relieve pressure on the upper deck.

The World’s Busiest Vehicular Bridge

Today, the bridge handles tens of millions of vehicles each year—making it among the busiest, if not the busiest, vehicular bridge globally in terms of traffic volume.

An Engineering Landmark Recognized Nationally

The American Society of Civil Engineers designated the George Washington Bridge a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Its design and scale have drawn admiration—even celebrated architects such as Le Corbusier reportedly called it “the most beautiful bridge in the world.”

Tolls That Have Risen Dramatically Over Time

Originally, the toll to cross into Manhattan from New Jersey was just 50 cents. Over the decades, amounts steadily increased; by 2011 and beyond, tolls reached well into double-digit dollars for passenger vehicles, reflecting maintenance and usage demands.

Scene of a Major Political Controversy

In September 2013, for several days the bridge’s Fort Lee access lanes were unexpectedly closed, causing massive gridlock. Investigations later revealed the closures were part of a political retaliation scheme involving state officials, earning the episode the nickname “Bridgegate.”