Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Opens in NYC

On November 21 of 1964 New York became a more connected city. It was on this date that the Verrazzano Bridge opened. 

Verrazano Bridge
Verrazano-Narrows bridge as seen from Brooklyn at sunset.

The bridge is named after 16th Century Florentine explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. In 1524, in service to the king of France, Verrazzano became the first European to enter New York Harbor.

Giovanni da Verrazano
16th Century Florentine explorer Giovanni da Verrazano

When completed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world measuring 13,700 feet (4,176 m).

The structure spans the Narrows, a body of water connecting the upper bay with the larger, wide open lower bay of New York. The territories it connects are the New York City Boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Verrazano Bridge
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island.

The project cost $320 million to build ($2,442,000,000 today). It was also the last project designed by Swiss engineer Othmar Ammann (who also designed the George Washington Bridge).

Every year the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is ran by thousands of runners in the NYC Marathon.

NYC Marathon
Thousands of runners at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

 

Verrazano Bridge at Night
Verrazzano-Narrows bridge at night.

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Updated 2019

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