Runners cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at the start of the TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, 2014. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Goodlett) http://www.amny.com/secrets-of-new-york/secrets-of-the-verrazano-narrows-bridge-its-construction-to-annie-hall-1.11027995 NYC's longest bridge has a storied past. https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11028492.1446156067!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_600/image.jpg landmarks Secrets of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge: Its construction to 'Annie Hall' Staten Island, NY, 10305 Website By DAVID CAPLAN david.caplan@amny.com Updated October 29, 2015 6:48 PM Thousands of athletically inclined New Yorkers and their peers from around the world will head to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday to take part in the TCS New York City Marathon. The 26.2-mile journey kicks off on Staten Island, in Fort Wadsworth, near the approach to the bridge. The bridge, which normally carries only vehicular traffic and links Staten Island with Brooklyn, is closed for the event. In the opening minutes of the race, the bridge is filled with runners, creating a dramatic and iconic spectacle that is associated with the event. Below, amNewYork uncovers some lesser-known facts about the Verrazano, which opened in 1964. (At the time, it was the world's longest suspension bridge; today, that honor goes to Japan's Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.) Credit: MGM Yes, the bridge had a starring role in ‘Saturday Night Fever.’ But remember it in ‘Annie Hall?’ Credit: Getty Images The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was built in 5 years. The Brooklyn Bridge? 16 years! Credit: Getty Images The bridge’s towers are the tallest structures in NYC outside of Manhattan. (Sorry, outer boroughs) Credit: Getty Images 7,000 people in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, were forced to leave their homes to make way for the bridge Credit: Getty Images / Spencer Platt Blame thermal expansion: The bridge’s roadway is 12 feet lower in the summer than in the winter Credit: Getty Images / Peter J. Eckel Safety nets weren't provided to construction workers until they staged a 4-day walk-out Credit: Getty Images Shockingly, none of the bridge's 12,000 construction workers were invited to its opening Credit: Getty Images The largest U.S. flag ever, was hung on the bridge in 1976, to celebrate the country’s bicentennial Credit: Getty Images ‘Verrazano’ is misspelled: The bridge is named after Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano Previous Secret Next Secret Comments We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input.
