GWB Gets Some Extra Help

The Port Authority is adding bomb shields to the George Washington Bridge. And we say "All right!" because when the bombs hit, we'll be fleeing to NJ and expect the tunnels to be flooded. The Daily News says that these are "first such bulwarks to appear on a New York-area bridge" - they will be shields around parts of the bridge's cables. The NYC Department of Transportation and MTA have made plans to reinforce other suspension bridges, but Gothamist wonders what is happening with the Brooklyn Bridge's security - as it was the focus of an Al Qaeda plot at one point.

If you have a spare $1 billion, you could convince the Port Authority to give you naming rights for the bridge. And did you know that it's the busiest bridge in the world? Who knew?

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By Jen Chung in News on January 13, 2006 5:42 PM

Comments [rss]

zenyenta

When we're going somewhere, even if it doesn't involve crossing the GWB, I give up offering to the traffic gods until we're safely past all exits that lead to any possible approach it it. I'm not at all surprised to hear that it's the busiest bridge in the world.

Toby

Well the NYC DOT has one better than renaming, how about a bridge for just one dollar?

WABC's Michelle Charlesworth reports that the Willis Avenue Bridge is for sale. The DOT will even move it for you, provided you are in their delivery area.

Jen

As someone who schedules the tickets for court received by GWB commuters, and puts up with the traffic generated in Fort Lee everyday, believe me, I knew it was the busiest bridge.

jkas

Admittedly, their plan involved taking the bridge apart with blowtorches. (seriously.)

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/16/sitroom.03.html

Joe

This has been a topic of conversation amongst those of us who commute over the bridge via bus every day. Our speculation was right! The shields are mostly already in place in place. They also had to replace some of the straight railings with railing that have bumps so that they could install the shields.