The George Washington Bridge was originally planned for train traffic on the lower level! The bridge was constructed between 1927 and 1931 with only one level holding six traffic lanes. But the bride's chief engineer Othmar Ammann had the foresight to make the bridge strong enough to later add an additional level for light rail. Another proposal routed the A subway line over the lower level of the bridge to Fort Lee. The lower level's construction started in 1959 but Robert Moses and the Port Authority scrapped the light rail, instead, adding six more traffic lanes. The second photo shows the bridge in 1941 before the lower level (nicknamed Martha) was added. Tap to view in high resolution or order an archival print. β β β β β β β β β #georgewashingtonbridge #gwb #bridgegate #civilengineering #transit #publictransit #peaktransit #washheights #washingtonheights #inwood #uppermanhattan #hudsonriver #othmarammann #robertmoses #urbanplanning #crossbronx #transmanhattanexpressway #nychistory #urbanism (at George Washington Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqa3RbRFcgm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19rchgoakn1vk
