Hudson Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Building the Bridge

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2025

1. Building the Bridge Marker

Inscription.

105,986 wires support the bridge
475,000 rivets fasten each tower
380 light fixtures shine per tower
The main span measures 3,500 ft
Suspension towers reach 604 ft

[Captions:]
In September of 1929, a cross bridge was hoisted into position, connecting the temporary footbridges and guide cables used for cable spinning.

A barge carries spools of unwound cable between the anchorages. The cables were lifted to the top of the towers to become temporary footbridges.

Main cables had been spun, then were compacted and banded in August of 1930.

Roadway assembly at the bridge's span as it nears the anchorage.

The cable spinning process viewed from the New Jersey tower looking toward Manhattan.

Individual wires were threaded around the eyebars of the anchorage. Wire is being unwound from a spool partially visible at the right side of the photograph.

Roadway assembly of the side span viewed from within the Manhattan anchorage in January of 1931.

AS with the towers, preassembled sections of the suspended road deck were fabricated off-site, transported to the bridge, and lifted into position. To keep the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

structure in balance, the roadway had to be assembled symmetrically.

Erected by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1931.

Location. 40° 51.001′ N, 73° 56.479′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Hudson Heights. It can be reached from the intersection of Cabrini Boulevard and West 180th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Cabrini Blvd, New York NY 10033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Opening Celebration

Markers on display at George Washington Bridge Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2025

2. Markers on display at George Washington Bridge Park

(here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Building the Bridge (here, next to this marker); Making History (here, next to this marker); Next Level (here, next to this marker); The Winning Plan (here, next to this marker); Modern Updates (here, next to this marker); A Marvel of Engineering (here, next to this marker); Maintaining the Bridge (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.