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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that the $2 billion restoration project of the George Washington Bridge is more than 95 percent complete. The project, known as 'Restoring the George,' involves replacing all of the bridge's original steel suspender ropes, a crucial component for maintaining the bridge's state of good repair. As of now, only two dozen of the 592 ropes remain to be replaced.
The George Washington Bridge, a primary Hudson River crossing for large commercial trucks, is a vital link in the regional interstate highway network. The restoration project began in September 2018 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
In addition to replacing the suspender ropes, the project also includes the construction of a new sidewalk on the bridge's south side to improve safety and accessibility. The new sidewalk will separate pedestrians from bicyclists, with pedestrians using the south sidewalk and bicyclists using the existing north sidewalk.
According to the Construction Equipment Guide, the project is essential to the bridge's future and its continued ability to connect the region. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole stated, "Our Restoring the George program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on the feat of engineering that connected the region 93 years ago, and to adapt the bridge to new and modern ways of commuting and sharing use beyond its original design."