The Details
The Verrazano Narrows Bridge is a suspension structure that connects two New York City neighborhoods, Brooklyn and Staten Island. To date, it is the only fixed crossing over the Straits between Upper and Lower New York City. The bridge consists of two stories and 13 lanes of the highway.
Features of the bridge
Back in the late 1920s, renowned engineer, David B. Steinman proposed building a bridge that would run between the bays. But for a variety of reasons, the project was delayed and did not go into production again until the late '50s. Engineers from Ammann & Whitney handled the construction. The official opening did not take place until 1964, with the lower deck not being launched until 1969.
The center span of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is 4,260 feet long. Until 1981, it was considered the longest suspension bridge not only in the United States but also in the world. Until 2020, tolls were paid only by drivers traveling westbound to reduce the length and size of traffic jams. Traffic across the bridge is about 200,000 vehicles each day.
The toll on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge
Starting in 2021, the fare will be $10.17 for car owners and $4.28 for motorcycles. Payment options are available, both by mail and through the E-ZPass electronic system. If the transponders are issued in New York City, vehicle owners get a discount: $6.55 and $2.85, respectively.
The discount for Staten Islanders is $2.95 (for those using the electronic toll system). The discount is also available to all Brooklyn residents who use the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at least 10 times per month (personal vehicles only). The fee is fixed and does not depend on the time of day, the degree of congestion on the bridge, or other factors. If payment is not made in a timely manner, it can be done through the NYC Department of Transportation website.
Even though 85% of the drivers who drive on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge use one of the reduced rates that were approved by state management, the average profit for the year is $417 million, which not only allows the bridge to be maintained but also allows the funds to be used for other projects.
