Sunday, April 12, 2009

I Don't Own This Bridge

Nevertheless, I like it a lot and just drove across it this morning.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island and Brooklyn.
It's named for Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian explorer who isn't known for much aside from having a beautiful bridge named after him.
When it was completed in 1964, the Verrazano Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world. It's center span is 4,260 feet. Its towers are visible from parts of each of the five boroughs of New York City.
The bridge played an important supporting role in 'Saturday Night Fever'. It's performance was unforgettable.
I'm fascinated by bridges in part because they are beautiful and also because I on not one single level understand how they work.
I'm surprised no one ever tried to sell me this bridge. Too bad. I would have bought it. No questions asked.

1 comment:

Leslie said...

The joke I learned about how Staten Island got its name: Verrazano stood on the shore of Brooklyn, looked across the Narrows, turned to his men and said, "Hey, 's dat an island?"