Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.
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25 Facts About Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
2.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge collects tolls in both directions, although only westbound drivers paid a toll from 1986 to 2020 in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion.
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3.
In 1928, when the chambers of commerce in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Staten Island announced that the Interboro Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Company had proposed the future construction of the "Liberty Verrazano-Narrows Bridge" to the United States Department of War.
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4.
Liberty Verrazano-Narrows Bridge would carry vehicles from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to an as-yet-undetermined location on Staten Island.
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5.
However, a vote on the planned Liberty Bridge was never taken, as it was blocked by then-Congressman Fiorello H La Guardia, who believed that a public necessity should not be provided by private interests.
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6.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge cited a poll showing that for every Bay Ridge resident who supported the bridge's construction, 33 more were opposed.
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7.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge encouraged the TBTA to start construction on the bridge as soon as possible in order to reduce congestion on East River crossings to the north.
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8.
Staten Islanders viewed the project cautiously, since the Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge would provide a connection to the rest of the city, but could cause traffic congestion through the borough.
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9.
Later that year, it was announced that the Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge would be part of an expansion to the Interstate Highway System.
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10.
Foundation work for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was well underway by 1960, as visitors were able to see the anchorages.
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11.
The American Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Company was selected to construct the cables and deck.
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12.
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge wrote several articles about the bridge's construction for The New York Times.
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13.
Staten Island approach to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the first part of the new project to be completed, and it opened in January 1964.
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14.
Five days after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opened, the ferry from Staten Island to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, stopped running, as it was now redundant to the new bridge.
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15.
Verrazano Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the last project designed by Ammann, who had designed many of the other major crossings into and within New York City.
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16.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the last great public works project in New York City overseen by Moses.
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17.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge became so popular among motorists that in March 1969, the TBTA decided to erect the lower deck at a cost of $22million.
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18.
The Verrazzano Verrazano-Narrows Bridge had not been expected to carry enough traffic to necessitate a second deck until 1978, but traffic patterns over the previous five years had demonstrated the need for extra capacity.
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19.
Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is owned by Triborough Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Tunnel Authority bondholders who paid for the bridge at its construction.
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20.
At the time of opening, the Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world; its 4,260-foot center span, between the two suspension towers, was 60 feet longer than the Golden Gate Verrazano-Narrows Bridge's center span.
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21.
Ultimately, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge kept its name, while Idlewild Airport in Queens was renamed after Kennedy.
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22.
At the time, the Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was the only American bridge with a federal mandate controlling its toll collections.
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23.
The MTA responded that the Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which was both the newest large bridge and the longest bridge in the state, was structurally sound, and that the bridge had passed its most recent inspection.
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24.
Signs at both ends of the Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge forbid photography and videotaping while on the bridge.
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25.
In 1976, the Verrazzano-Narrows Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was designated as the starting point of the New York City Marathon.
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