Newburgh–Beacon Bridge
| Newburgh-Beacon Bridge | |
|---|---|
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge from Beacon, NY
|
|
| Coordinates | 41°31′09″N 73°59′39″W / 41.519246°N 73.994293°WCoordinates: 41°31′09″N 73°59′39″W / 41.519246°N 73.994293°W |
| Carries | 6 lanes of   I-84 / NY 52
|
| Crosses | Hudson River |
| Locale | Newburgh, New York and Beacon, New York |
| Official name | Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridge |
| Maintained by | New York State Bridge Authority |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Twin span Continuous truss bridges |
| Total length | 7,789 feet (2,374 m) 7,855 feet (2,394 m) |
| Longest span | 1,000 feet (300 m) |
| Clearance below | 135 feet (41 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | November 2, 1963 (westbound) November 1, 1980 (eastbound) |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 65,000 |
| Toll | Cars $1.50 (eastbound only), $1.25 ezpass |
The Hamilton Fish Newburgh–Beacon Bridge is a cantilever toll bridge that spans the Hudson River in New York State. The bridge carries Interstate 84 (I-84) and New York State Route 52 (NY 52) between Newburgh and Beacon. Consisting of two separate spans, the original northern span which carries westbound traffic, was opened on November 2, 1963, as a two-lane (one in each direction) bridge . A second span completed in 1980, now carries all eastbound traffic. Still often referred to by its original name, the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge, in 1997 the bridge was rededicated in honor of Hamilton Fish who was a NY Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senator from NY, U.S Secretary of State, and a congressman.
Although original plans called for a four-lane bridge, funding difficulties resulted in the reduction in lanes. This span was designed by Modjeski & Masters and constructed by Frederick Snare, Drave and Bethlehem Steel.
The bridge originally carried NY 52 traffic, which was light, but the construction of Interstate 84 pushed the bridge over capacity, and planning for additional capacity began in 1972. After considering double-decking (which the original bridge was not designed for) the decision was taken by NYSBA to add a second parallel span south of the original.
The original span is made of steel that requires regular painting, however, the newer span is made of "rusting" steel (believed to be COR-TEN or a similar material although sources are not clear), which surface corrodes to a brown color and does not need painting since the corrosion is only on the surface.
On November 1, 1980, this second, parallel span, also designed by Modjeski & Masters but constructed by the American Bridge Company, was opened to traffic. The original span was closed for renovation, to add a lane and to paint it brown to match the color of the new span, from December 1980 to June 1984. In 1997, the bridge was officially renamed the Hamilton Fish Newburgh–Beacon Bridge, although it is commonly referred to by its original name.
...
Wikipedia