Looking Back - One Year After the $2 Billion GWB Walkway Renovation's Completion

By M. C. Millman

The $2 billion GWB walkway overhaul program is still in the middle of creating additional accessibility and security changes to the ninty-two-year-old George Washington Bridge.

In addition to the grand opening of the north walkway last year, the $2 billion Restoring the George program replaced the original steel suspender cables on the north side.

The 1.5-mile walkway now allows wheelchair and stroller access as the 171 access steps have been replaced with a gently sloping, wider pathway as part of the program.

Bicyclists and pedestrians are meant to use separate walkways eventually; pedestrians to the south and bicyclists to the north once the south side opens.

In addition to the new walkway and steel girders, the renovation also added two new on-air viewing platforms overlooking both New York and New Jersey, including the Hudson River and New Jersey Tower.

Presently, crews are working on the south side of the bridge, including a new ADA-compliant walkway for cyclists and pedestrians and viewing platforms.

Though the south side walkway of the bridge is expected to be completed in 2027, the complete Restoring the George program will take at least another six years as the restoration work is done without ever closing the bridge.

Photo Credit: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey