MTA Plans $249M Project to Protect Verrazzano Bridge Cables

By Y.M. Lowy

The MTA board is expected to approve a $249 million project this week to protect the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from long-term damage. The plan includes adding a system to keep the bridge’s main cables dry and prevent them from rusting.

The Verrazzano is the longest suspension bridge in North America. Its four main cables each contain over 26,000 wires. Over time, humidity causes the wires to rust. The new system will cover the cables and blow in warm, dry air to keep moisture low. 

MTA officials say the technology is new to them but has been used successfully on bridges in Japan and more recently on the George Washington Bridge. If approved, the contract will go to Skanska Koch Inc., a company which would also maintain the system for five years after installation.

The work is expected to take about four years and will include other upgrades such as new lighting, replacement of hand ropes and hardware, and a new monitoring system to detect wire breaks.