Maintaining the Bridge

Structural engineers work full time at the George Washington Bridge, inspecting and documenting every element of the facility in two-year cycles as part of ongoing maintenance. The bridge is maintained to high standards for operation and preservation, with more than 300 people working around the clock to keep it open safely. The property includes the span, approach roads, toll plazas, a bus station, and support buildings, totaling about 75 lane-miles to maintain. Operations use current technology, including a computer network that collects traffic and road condition data, monitoring systems that dispatch roadside assistance when required, lit signs that update motorists about delays or lane closures, and electronic toll collection through E-ZPass to keep traffic moving. As the bridge neared its centennial, the Port Authority began the Restoring the George program, a series of repair initiatives to restore and enhance the bridge and its approaches and preserve its structural health for years to come. This work includes suspender rope replacement, main cable rehabilitation, and dehumidification systems to limit corrosion, as well as improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle experience, including new sidewalks with accessible ramps. Revenues from tolls are continually reinvested in the bridge.

New York, New York · United States