GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE

 

The George Washington Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River from New York City to New Jersey, was finished in 1931.  At that time it had the world’s longest span of 3500 feet between its two tower supports.  The structural engineer, Othmar H. Ammann, designed the road deck to be very thin for visual elegance, but studies have since found that a stiffer, thicker deck is necessary for safety against wind forces.  The stiffening was added in 1962 in the form of the lower deck.  The original design also included masonry cladding for the two supporting towers, but cost prohibited this finishing touch.

 

               

 

 

 

 

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