In 1923 a plan to build a bridge from New Jersey to New York was proposed. Othmar Ammann, chief engineer of the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York, provided a solution to the engineering of a structure that could span the Hudson River. The area where the bridge was to be built would help divert traffic from the midtown section of New York City. It was decided that the bridge would span from Fort Lee to the Washington Heights section of New York.Originally the bridge was named Hudson River Bridge. That name was changed to George Washington Memorial Bridge and then to the George Washington Bridge.
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Construction started during the month of October 1927. At the time of development, the George Washington Bridge was to be twice as long as any other bridge in the nation. The bridge was to be 600 feet tall with 43,000 tons of steel used for its construction rising over 200 feet from the river. The final cost was $59 million dollars.
In October of 1931 the bridge was finally opened. Approximately 55,523 vehicles traveled over the bridge that day. Over 33,540 pedestrians also made the crossing. Eventually the eight upper level lanes were not enough to handle the traffic. A proposal recommended a lower level. In the 1950's a second level was added. |
| The character of Fort Lee and Bergen County drastically changed in the 1930's because of the addition of the bridge. This growth is shown by an increase in population. Bergen County's population in 1939 totaled 375,000 people. By 1960 it increased to 780,255 people. Prior to the George Washington Bridge being built, Fort Lee was a very quiet community isolated from its big sister New York. The completion of the George Washington Bridge and the access it provided made Fort Lee one of the most populated communities in Bergen County. Seen as a better way of life, many people migrated from New York to Fort Lee in an effort to raise their children in a more quite, less hectic environment. We are now seeing their second and third generations growing up in town. |
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One can imagine Fort Lee today without the George Washington Bridge. Fort Lee may have had the same character of towns ten miles to the north, like Closter and Alpine. With the completion of the bridge, borough services had to grow to meet the demands of its residents. The increased popularity led to high rise developments in the 60's, Horizon House complex being one of the first high rises to be built in town.
Of course services such as police and fire had also grown. Today the Fort Lee Police Department is one of the largest in Bergen County with over 90 men. According to some surveys, comparing other Bergen County Police Departments, the department should have over 130 men. The fire department remains volunteer, one of the finest in volunteer departments in the state, with four companies serving the borough.
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With the addition of the bridge, traffic has seen a major increase. This increase contributes to noise and air pollution as well as an inconvenience to borough residents as streets become locked up during rush hours. At one time residents looked at the bridge as a welcome addition, bringing up property values. Now it may be looked upon as a nuisance as the town reached peaked development. |
Today the George Washington Bridge handles millions of vehicles annually. Millions of dollars are spent in the maintenance of the bridge and to provided a full time police force. Fort Lee assists in many ways by providing backup service from the local police department, first aid from the town's volunteer ambulance service and emergency services from the volunteer fire department.
A famous architect, Edouard Jeanneret Le Corusier states in his book "When the Cathderals Were White", refers to the George Washington Bridge as "the most beautiful bridge in the world".
Credits:
S. Sloan Colt, Chariman James C.Kellog Vice chairman PA "The Port Authority of New Jersey & New York Brochure"
Fortlee.com of Fort Lee, NJ
