Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (VNB) has been integral to the Metropolitan transportation system since opening in 1964. The bridge is heavily traveled with more than 220,000 vehicles crossing daily between Staten Island and Brooklyn with commuter surges in the AM and PM peak periods. Largely original, the upper level approach and anchorage span decks reached the end of their service lives and needed increasing maintenance. 

As part of a joint venture, HNTB served as lead designer for the final design of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the VNB upper level approach decks. 

The project’s scope included the replacement of 225,000 square feet of bridge deck, superstructure replacement in the anchorage spans, seismic upgrades, two-way cashless tolling implementation, and improvements to lighting, drainage and standpipes. 

Work areas included the westbound and eastbound Staten Island Approach, Staten Island Anchorage, Brooklyn Anchorage and westbound Brooklyn Approach. Work was performed while maintaining the existing peak hour lane configuration through an innovative and complex traffic management scheme and lane-by-lane reconstruction that utilized a moveable barrier system. 

The structure now provides a safer, more efficient and more modern connection across the Narrows for the traveling public.