NEW YORK — The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge marks its 60th anniversary this November, as more than 50,000 runners prepare to start the 53rd running of the New York City Marathon at the bridge on Nov. 3.
The occasion underscores a rich legacy of WSP influence on the city’s infrastructure, including design of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge and other iconic structures and buildings that dot the marathon’s route around the city – a fact that gives the race more meaning to WSP’s professionals racing this year.
“I’m proud that our work builds communities, connects them and makes them stronger,” said Christian Viti, an associate acoustic consultant at WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services firm. “Running the marathon will be like running through WSP history and seeing its impact on New York’s transportation, skyline and progress.”
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the 13th-longest suspension span bridge worldwide, opened Nov. 21, 1964. It was one of the last bridges designed by engineer Othmar H. Ammann of Ammann & Whitney, now WSP. Ammann also designed many of New York’s major bridges, including the George Washington Bridge, and also directed the planning and construction of the Lincoln Tunnel.
The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970 and was staged entirely in Central Park. Since 1976, runners have followed a route that travels along streets in all five boroughs – a path made possible by the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge.
Since its construction, WSP has provided vital services to MTA Bridges and Tunnels to maintain and protect several facilities, including Verrazzano-Narrows. This includes years of in-depth biennial inspections of the suspended spans and ramps; specialized inspection/analysis of the cables and anchorages; and bridge painting of the cables and suspender ropes.
WSP was part of the joint-venture reconstruction project in 2023, which was named one of the Top 10 Bridge Projects by Roads & Bridges magazine in that year’s December issue.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, WSP’s work included construction inspection and resident engineering services for the rehabilitation of the bridge’s upper roadway decks. This was followed with construction inspection of the new ramp structures, which carry high-occupancy vehicle and bus traffic from the Gowanus Expressway to the bridge’s upper level.
“For over 60 years, the MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority have been dedicated stewards of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge and roadways,” said Joseph Viola, national transportation leader and senior vice president, WSP. “All of the people who have touched the bridge in some way over the past six decades share an unwavering commitment to maintenance and innovation which has kept this historic structure standing strong, ensuring safe and efficient travel for thousands of commuters.”
WSP’s legacy in New York City, however, spans more than the city’s iconic bridges. In fact, many of its other high-profile projects dot the marathon route, including the Barclays Center, Second Avenue Subway, Central Park Tower and One World Trade Center to name a few.
For Viti, who grew up in Franklin Square on Long Island as the son of a first-generation Italian-American father and an Italian immigrant mother, running across the iconic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is not only a test of physical endurance, but also a tribute to the American dream his family built from the ground up.
“My grandfather started from nothing — building houses and small jobs — but eventually he established a successful business,” Viti said. “My father was the first in our family to go to college, and then my sister and I followed suit.”
“That’s why running in the marathon feels symbolic, particularly starting at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge,” Viti continued. “Through my grandfather’s foundation of vision, hard work and perseverance, I now contribute to a company that in turn shapes the foundation of one of the greatest cities in the world. People just like my grandfather chase their dreams in this city, and the company I work for has provided infrastructure to enable that.”
Click on location points above to learn more about WSP projects along the NYC Marathon route.
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP. As one of the largest professional services firms in the world, WSP exists to future-proof our cities and our environment. It provides strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients seeking sustainable solutions in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water and mining sectors. With approximately 19,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP’s trusted professionals are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities it serves through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion. wsp.com
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