TRIBUTE TO THE HARRIMAN FAMILY

Back to

The first vehicular bridge on the Hudson south of Albany, the Bear Mountain was also the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built, and the first suspended span to have a concrete deck.  Unlike most suspension bridges, the side spans are relatively short, and not supported by the main cables.  Instead the roadway from tower to shore is supported by the ground beneath, which rises at a sharp angle from the river. 
Designer Baird & Hodge (Cables by John A. Roeblings & Sons)
Builder Terry & Tench
Overall length 2,255 feet
Main span length 1,632 feet
Tower height 361 feet
Clearance from river 155 feet
Main cable diameter 18 inches (7,752 individual wires wrapped into 37 strands)
Opened November 27, 1924
Acquired by NYSBA September 26, 1940
Bridge Type Parallel wire cable suspension bridge
Original cost $2,900,000
1998 Replacement value $89,325,000

Photo by Bill Liebman