The old Goethals Bridge, constructed in 1928, was functionally obsolete, with four narrow 10-foot lanes and no walkways. The increasing traffic, maintenance costs, and the need to comply with the latest seismic standards prompted the Port Authority of NY and NJ to consider the bridge replacement.
The construction of the new Goethals Bridge, a $1.5 billion project linking Staten Island, New York, and Elizabeth, New Jersey, was a monumental task marked by numerous challenges.
One of the primary challenges was the bridge’s location in the direct flight path to Newark Liberty Airport. This necessitated a maximum cable tower height limit of 272 feet. The project also had to meet specific requirements, including a minimum main span of 900 feet and a minimum navigational clearance of 138 feet.
The project team faced constraints related to redundancy and resiliency standards, funding challenges, and traffic flow requirements. They also had to design for future mass transit capacity. Interestingly, even the work schedules were affected by natural factors, such as the mating season of flounder in the Arthur Kill tidal straight.
The new bridge, built to the south of the existing one, includes two parallel cable-stayed bridges providing three 12-foot travel lanes, a 12-foot outer shoulder, and a five-foot inner shoulder per span. The northern span also includes a 10-foot wide sidewalk and bikeway along its northern edge. The existing bridge remained in service during the construction period and was demolished after the new spans opened to traffic.
Despite the challenges, the project team successfully completed the construction, demonstrating the power of engineering ingenuity and effective project management. The new Goethals Bridge now stands as a testament to the progress of infrastructure development, serving as a vital link between New York and New Jersey.
Sources:
(1) Goethals Bridge Replacement Project, Staten Island, NY/NJ. https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/projects/project-highlights/goethals-bridge-replacement-project-staten-island-nynj.
(2) Goethals Bridge Replacement | Build America – Department of Transportation. https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/projects/goethals-bridge-replacement.
(3) ASCE Metropolitan Section – The New Goethals Bridge. https://ascemetsection.org/news-events/section-news/structures-group/1212-the-new-goethals-bridge.
(4) Goethals Bridge: ENR New York’s Project of the Year. https://massman.net/news/goethals-bridge-enr-new-yorks-project-year.
(5) Goethals Bridge Replacement Project, New York, US – Road Traffic Technology. https://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/goethals-bridge-replacement-project-new-york/.
