Bear Mountain Bridge and the Bridges of the Hudson River at the Somers Library
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 - 8:00pm
When the Bear Mountain Bridge opened in 1924 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, the first large bridge built specifically to carry automobiles and the first to rely on auto tolls to pay for its construction. It also opened the floodgates on an era of American bridge construction. Join us while we take a look at the history of the Hudson River and its importance during the American Revolution, focusing in on one of the narrowest and deepest points along the river – at Bear Mountain – and discuss the role it played in the young nation’s first years. We will then move ahead almost 150 years later to discuss the building of what was then the world’s longest suspension bridge at the same site and the impact that bridge had on both the construction of future bridges across both the Hudson and other bridges in the continent. Also discussed will be each of the massive structures that now cross the Hudson between Manhattan and Albany and take a peek at some of the planning, design and construction idiosyncrasies that contribute to each bridge’s “personality.” Space is limited. Please register on our online calendar here or call 914-232-5717.
Our guest presenter will be Harry Stanton, a member of the board of the New York State Bridge Authority, where he was Executive Director for 12 years. In 40 years working for various transportation agencies, he negotiated airline access agreements for the Westchester County Airport, managed operating contracts for the Bee-Line bus system, worked on an MTA Management Reorganization Study and loaded cargo at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Mr. Stanton is an attorney and a former journalist for the Associated Press.
Our programs are funded by the Friends of the Somers Library through your donations. Thanks for your support!
The Somers Library ~ 914-232-5717 ~ www.somerslibrary.org
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