ABSTRACT
The George Washington Bridge (GWB) is an iconic structure with a rich history that is engrained in the development of the region and the authority
CONTENTS
7.1 History 175 7.2 Design 179 7.3 Costs and schedule 181 7.4 Construction 185 7.5 Inspection 194 7.6 Maintenance 194 7.7 Future plans 194 7.8 Concluding remarks 195 References 195
that brought it to life. The center-span length was nearly double previously attempted span lengths at the time and was the first bridge crossing from New Jersey into Manhattan. Othmar Ammann, the chief engineer of the bridge, worked for the Port of New York Authority in bringing this grand structure from design in 1927 to opening in 1931. The Port of New York Authority is now known as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (referred herein as the port authority). Today the GWB carries 14 lanes of traffic across the Hudson River and is considered one of the busiest bridges in the world.
