Goethals Bridge

The Goethals Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge connecting Staten Island in New York and Elizabeth in New Jersey, crossing the Arthur Kill waterway. It consists of two parallel roadway decks supported by V-shaped concrete towers and 144 steel cables reaching lengths of up to 400 feet (122 m).

This replacement structure succeeded a cantilever bridge from 1928 that had become overwhelmed by growing traffic. The eastbound roadway opened in June 2017, followed by the westbound section in May 2018, completing the project.

This crossing links Staten Island to the mainland and carries thousands of commuters daily traveling between the two states. Its name honors George Washington Goethals, the engineer who completed the Panama Canal and later served as port commissioner of New York.

Vehicles pay tolls only in the eastbound direction using E-ZPass or automatic license plate recognition. Wide lanes and shoulders help drivers navigate through heavy traffic flows between both states.

Beyond vehicle lanes, the design includes a pedestrian walkway and bicycle path that offer safe crossing options for walkers and cyclists. Space between the two decks was planned to allow future installation of tracks for public transit services.

Location: Staten Island

Location: Elizabeth

Inception: May 21, 2018

Length: 2,225 m

GPS coordinates: 40.63556,-74.19722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:04