wiredinUSA August 2019

River crossing contract M A K I N G T H E NEWS

WireCo WorldGroup has the contract to supply replacement hangers for the George Washington Bridge. Utilizing its patented High Temperature Socketing material, WireCo is now producing the cables for its second major bridge in NYC. WireCo previously supplied the replacement hangers on the Manhattan Bridge in 2012. Extensive testing has shown the High Temperature Socketing material to be effective in sustaining elevated temperatures for an extended period, without the loss of structural integrity in the event of a fire or accident. Billed as the “busiest bridge in the world”, the George Washington Bridge spans the Hudson River and connects northern Manhattan and Fort Lee, New Jersey.

In a single year over 50 million eastbound vehicles cross the bridge.

The George Washington Bridge was first opened to traffic in 1931 and, at the time of construction, was twice as long as any previous suspension bridge. Major renovations on the bridge over the coming decade will keep the iconic span alive into the next century. The renovations are part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $2 billion Restore the George program, repairing and rebuilding key components of the bridge and its approach roads. The most significant project is the $1.03 billion replacement of 592 vertical cables, known as suspender ropes, which WireCo will supply.

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wiredInUSA - August 2019