[title]
The MTA just approved a $249 million plan to give the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge its biggest upgrade in decades—and if you’re one of the 220,000 drivers who cross it daily, you’re probably wondering: How bad is this going to mess with my commute?
RECOMMENDED: How a park under NYC’s formerly “most hated” bridge became its coolest venue
The good news is probably not much. The multi-year project, greenlit this week, will install a cutting-edge dehumidification system on the bridge’s four main suspension cables. It’s designed to prevent corrosion, extend the bridge’s lifespan by decades and keep traffic moving safely for years to come.
“This is a new system for us,” said Jamie Torres-Springer, president of MTA Construction and Development. “It’s a widely accepted method of preventing steel cable corrosion around the world.” In short, moisture is the enemy, and this system keeps humidity levels inside the cables below 40-percent, which is the sweet spot for structural health.
Similar systems are already in place on the George Washington Bridge and are underway on the RFK, with plans to expand across the MTA’s entire suspension bridge portfolio.
As for traffic, the MTA says the impact will be minimal. Most work will be done overnight and any weekday lane closures will be limited to off-peak hours—after the morning rush for Brooklyn-bound lanes and before the evening rush heading back to Staten Island.
Off-peak lane closures are expected to begin in spring 2026, giving commuters a heads-up well in advance. No full bridge closures are planned.
The project has been in the works for over a year, but nearly stalled last summer when Governor Kathy Hochul put New York City’s congestion pricing plan on hold. Once the tolling plan got revived last fall, so did the Verrazzano repairs.
Originally opened in 1964, the Verrazzano is a vital artery for cars, trucks and more than 30,000 daily bus riders. This upgrade aims to keep it that way, with a little less rust and a lot more resilience.