Port Authority Celebrates Milestone Anniversary of GWB

The George Washington Bridge, “the world’s busiest crossing and one of its most recognizable,” according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is celebrating its 80th anniversary Tuesday. The bridge was dedicated on Oct. 24, 1931, but it opened to traffic on the 25th.

“The bridge … is critical to regional mobility, economic vitality and job growth for the past 80 years,” Port Authority officials said in a statement commemorating the milestone anniversary. “To handle the region’s rapid growth, a second level was built below the bridge’s main deck in 1962.”

About 300,000 vehicles a day cross the span; in 2010, roughly 102 million vehicles used its two levels, three toll plazas and 28 toll lanes, officials say.

To mark the occasion Tuesday, the Port Authority is flying the largest free-flying American flag at the bridge’s New Jersey tower, and at night, both of the bridge’s towers will be lit up, according to the agency.

“Completion of the bridge had a profound effect on the region by opening a whole new transportation corridor between [New York and New Jersey],” the Port Authority says on the history section of its website (see slide 10 of 55 in particular).

Earlier this year, Patch detailed five things you may not know about the George Washington Bridge.

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