The Building of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge

[sessal]

Thank you for sharing this! Growing up on Fort Hamilton Parkway across from McKinley Park in the late 50's - early 60's I too "watched" the construction of the bridge and the construction of the Gowanus Expressway. Had my grandfather drive me across the bridge on its opening day (I was only 11 at the time!)

[BellBoatBob]

Well you should be proud of him, they all did a fine job.

[empigasser]

Bob, My Grandfather, Olav Log, was also one of the men who built the bridge !

We lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

[2fast4uspartan]

i am african american so i wasn't allowed to work on this bridge, unfortunately during the time.

[BellBoatBob]

@2fast4uspartan

i never realized that1

[vibra64]

WOW!! Great video. I took many still shots of the bridge while it was being built. Great bridge. Great years back then.

[71ragtopgoat]

My Dad worked on this as well. Proud member of Local 14 IUOE !!!

As I myself am now. Those were the golden days of NYC construction a couple of landmarks a year !!! Triboro ,worlds fair ,World trade center and on and on.

Iron men and wooden ships I tell ya.

[lds623]

WOW!!! What an amazing post!!! Thank you for sharing.

Everytime I cross this bridge I wonder about it's construction.

Thank you for sharing this history with all of us!

[BellBoatBob]

i am happy you enjoyd it. You should be proud of your father, the guys that built it were amazing.

[bridgeman002]

@BellBoatBob I worked on it from 61-64 for American Bridge.I adjusted ever strand on ocean side. My parter was Bill Weber from Newburg,NY Im from PGH,Pa local #3.

donpow002@yahoo.com

[ediann]

I am proud to say my dad worked on the verrazano bridge in the early 1960's. he was a true hero in my eyes and he always put all his effort and pride into his work. he witnessed tragedy first hand on the bridge as a fellow ironworker fell to his death after losing his balance. Everytime I drive over the bridge I think of my dad! Great video! Simply wonderful!

[BellBoatBob]

The red was a prime coat. Then they painted it a greenish gray final coat.

[rybread32]

hey bob, Great video! just wondering, the bridge was a deep hue of red when they built it, right? I'm not sure if the red coloring is the sunlight or the bridge itself.

[Mrkissuallover12]

Great Stuff Bob. Your footage is excellent. I have seen footage from the Brooklyn side, this is a great perspective. I love this bridge and everytime I am in Brooklyn I make it a point to cross it.

The footage of the cable spinning is awesome and so is the driving on the deck just before it opened,

[BellBoatBob]

Thanks, I was lucky to find a nice cement truck driver to let me go over with him.

[ZobeeXX]

the bridge is wonderful!i live close to cannon ball park and its nice to go on the borad walk at night to see the bridge light up, i love the verrazano brridge!!!!!!!!!!!(and bay ridge!)

[BellBoatBob]

I am glad you enjoyed it!

[LadyAmanita]

That was really cool, thanks for sharing!

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge is such a beauty, I hope to see it in person soon.

[BellBoatBob]

i hope you do and check out the Brooklyn Bridge and Lady Liberty while you are here!

[railfankiller]

Wow,my father was a walking boss on this bridge during construction.On drives back to Long Island he would pull over and just look at it.I didnt understand then but i do now.

[BellBoatBob]

Yes it is amazing. And to be a part of it was even more amazing. He must have been real proud. We took some of the sections out when i was on the tugs.

[BEDT14]

Superb montage of footage and the selection of music could not be more appropriate! 5 stars, two thumbs up and big hip hip hooray! Long live the VNB.

[BellBoatBob]

Wow! Thanks, I only wish the quality was better. Tough getting film to look good on video.