Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Photo:  the Borough of Fort Lee

"The George Washington Bridge (GWB) crosses the Hudson River between Fort Lee and Upper Manhattan, constituting a part of Interstate Highway I-95. Originally designed by Swiss-American engineer Othmar H. Ammann, then-Chief Engineer for the Port Authority, ground was broken for the original six-lane bridge in October of 1927. The bridge was first opened to traffic on October 25, 1931; however, volume required that two additional lanes be created in 1946," the Borough of Fort Lee reports.

"As the traffic volume continued to grow, on August 29, 1962, the Lower Level was opened. This made the George Washington Bridge one of the world’s busiest bridges and the world’s only 14-lane suspension bridge. In 1981, the American Society of Civil Engineers designated the GWB as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

"The Upper Level is suspended from four steel cables, each 36 inches in diameter and composed of 26,474 wires. The cables are carried by saddles on top of two 604-foot-high steel towers. On the New Jersey side, the tower rises out of the river 76 feet from shore; on the New York side, the tower stands on land."

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Photo: the Borough of Fort Lee

"The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge that connects the New York City borough of Manhattan with New Jersey across the Hudson River. Named after the first president of the United States, the bridge is believed to be the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge, carrying over 103 million vehicles in 2016 – over 280,000 vehicles per day, and over twice as many axle loads, each impacting on the expansion joints that facilitate the superstructure’s movements," the Mageba reports..

"After 89 years in service, it is planned to do a full replacement of the existing sliding finger expansion joints and substructures, as originally designed by the renown Civil Engineer Othmar Hermann Ammann.

"mageba is supplying a total of eight sliding finger joints ranging in longitudinal movements from 18 to 52 inches. The heaviest joint weighs 156,000 pounds (71 tons) once fully assembled. mageba is fabricating the finger plates, as well as the substructures that attach the finger joints to the bridge. The joint substructures are 3 sets of dams (W beams) that connect to the bridge floor beams. The finger plates connect to the outer dams with long bolts through a series of fill plates that provide the required height for assembly. The center dam, is not physically connected to the finger plates, allowing the finger plates to slide over the top stainless steel surface."

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Photo:

"George Washington Bridge, vehicular suspension bridge crossing the Hudson River, U.S., between The Palisades park near Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Manhattan Island, New York City (between 178th and 179th streets). The original structure was built (1927–31) by the Swiss-born engineer Othmar H. Ammann according to the modified designs of architect Cass Gilbert. It was constructed to carry eight lanes of traffic. A lower deck with six more traffic lanes was added in 1958–62, along with a modernistic bus terminal on the Manhattan side (designed by Pier Luigi Nervi)," the  Encyclopaedia Britannica reports.



"When first built, the main span of 3,500 feet (1,067 metres) doubled the record for suspension bridges. Overall, the bridge now extends 4,760 feet (1,450 metres) between anchorages, with the decks 115 feet (35 metres) and 212 feet (65 metres) above mean high water and the lattice-steel towers rising 604 feet (184 metres) high above the water.

"On the New York side the tower stands on land; on the New Jersey side the tower rises out of the river 76 feet (23 metres) from shore. The bridge was built and is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey."

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Photo: ACG Travel Videos

"The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting Fort Lee in Bergen County, New Jersey, with Upper Manhattan in New York City. It is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States.

"The George Washington Bridge is the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, carrying a traffic volume of over 104 million vehicles in 2019, and is the world's only suspension bridge with 14 vehicular lanes as of 2012. It is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a bi-state government agency that operates infrastructure in the Port of New York and New Jersey.

"The George Washington Bridge is also informally known as the GW Bridge, the GWB, the GW, or the George, and was known as the Fort Lee Bridge or Hudson River Bridge during construction. The George Washington Bridge measures 4,760 feet (1,450 m) long and has a main span of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). It was the longest main bridge span in the world from its 1931 opening until the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opened in 1937." (Wikipedia)

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. View of the George Washington Bridge, driving west on the upper deck out ofNew York City. Photo: ErgoSum88/Wikipedia

Photo above: View north along Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9 and east along U.S. Route 46 (Bergen-Passaic Expressway) towards the eastbound George Washington Bridge from the overpass for New Jersey State Route 445 (Palisades Interstate Parkway) in Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Photo: Famartin/Wikipedia

"An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) was implemented at the GWB that uses automated incident detection information
to decrease response and removal times. More than 30 state of-the-art electronic variable-message signs provide real-time
decision-making information to motorists on the roadways leading to the bridge. Also included are fully coordinated closed-circuit vision cameras and customer emergency call boxes. Another ITS component, Highway Advisory Telephone (HAT), provides
GWB motorists a toll-free telephone number (1-877-PA ROADS) to report an emergency or to find out current traffic and weather conditions at the bridge," the New York Public Library reports.

"Sidewalks are available to the public on both the north and south sides of the bridge. In New Jersey, the sidewalk entrances
are located on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee. In New York, the south sidewalk is located near the corner of 178 th Street and
Cabrini Boulevard, and the north sidewalk is located near the corner of 179 th Street and Cabrini Boulevard. Normally, pedestrians are permitted to use both sidewalks, and bicyclists are permitted to ride their bikes on the south sidewalk. However, due to bridge repainting, the north sidewalk is closed until further notice.

"Bicyclists and pedestrians share the south sidewalk, and all sidewalk users are encouraged to exercise extra caution when crossing the south sidewalk. A ramp is available at the entrance and exit to the south sidewalk. General sidewalk guidelines are posted at entrances to the walkways. The sidewalks are open seven days a week, unless otherwise noted at the sidewalk entrances. In the event of major painting or construction projects, there may be restrictions or closures on either sidewalk."

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River in New York. Photo: John O'Connell/Wikipedia

"Current statistics say that this is the world's most traveled and busiest bridge with over 108 million vehicles passing over it each year. Opened in 1931 it held the title of longest suspension bridge until 1937 when the Golden Gate Bridge opened. If you are visiting just to enjoy a ride across do not attempt it during weekday rush hours or the short trip can take much longer, however the slow progress will make for good photo opportunities for those in your vehicle. Enjoy the George Washington Bridge."

"While wandering around Washington Heights, we walked west on 181st over toward the Hudson River to catch a glimpse of this beauty. Traffic aside, it’s a beautiful bridge."

"We love the views from the southern walkway of the George Washington Bridge as we think they are the most majestic in the City offering views of the NY & NJ Palisades, the Hudson River and the westside of Manhattan."

"It's home of the world's largest free flying flag, measuring sixty feet wide by ninety feet long, and the flag is displayed on New Years Day, Martin Luthor King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Its towers look like an Erector set."

"It’s an amazing piece of work and a massive bridge leading into the city from New Jersey. Fantastic to see but expensive to use ...about $16 to cross at certain times!"

"True, it’s just a bridge, and it’s really just one of many ways from New Jersey into NY City. But there’s something very majestic about this span. Try to take the upper level for the best views. Both levels can access just about every turn after the bridge, so that makes very little difference. It’s a great way to see the city!"

Photo above: World’s Busiest Motor Vehicle Bridge: world record in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Photo: YouTube/roadwaywiz