The Verrazano-Narrows bridge, which is 4,260 feet from tower to tower and links Staten Island and Brooklyn, opened to traffic on Nov. 21, 1964. In its first full year of operation, 17.6 million vehicles crossed the span. The architect of the bridge, Othmar Ammann, also built the Triborough (now Robert F. Kennedy), Bronx-Whitestone, Throgs Neck, George Washington, Bayonne, Goethals and Outerbridge Crossing bridges. Photos courtesy: MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archive
Photos: Verrazano-Narrows Bridge: The Beginning
Robert Moses salutes as he enters a limousine following the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Brooklyn to open the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on November 21, 1964. Photo: Unknown
All images Courtesy MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archive.
View looking northeast from Brooklyn span. Wheel from spinning cable from Staten Island passing over worker's head. March 25, 1963. Photo: Unknown
Staten Island Tower - erection of fourth tier of steel along. March 1, 1962. Photo: Lenox Studios
Workers in skip-box attaching catwalk rope to Staten Island tower spreader beams on December 19, 1962. Photo: Lenox Studios
Motorcade travels from Brooklyn to Staten Island following the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Brookyn. November 21, 1964. Photo: Unknown
Spinning the cables. Roadway decking
View looking southeast showing steel deck structure close to completion. March 19, 1964. Photo: Unknown
Workers stand on beams high above the Narrows. Photo: Unknown