Route 1/9 (US 1/9, composed of US 1 and US 9) cross the river via the bridge. The bridge's upper level also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The speed limit on the bridge is 45 mph (72 km/h). It has an upper level that carries four lanes in each direction and a lower level with three lanes in each direction, for a total of 14 lanes of travel. The George Washington Bridge is an important travel corridor within the New York metropolitan area. It was the longest main bridge span in the world from its opening until the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. The George Washington Bridge measures 4,760 feet (1,450 m) long and has a main span of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). The George Washington Bridge is also informally known as the GW Bridge, the GWB, the GW, or the George, and was known as the Fort Lee Bridge or Hudson River Bridge during construction. It is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a bi-state government agency that operates infrastructure in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The George Washington Bridge is the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, carrying over 103 million vehicles in 2016. The bridge is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the New York City borough of Manhattan with the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee. June 2, 1959 63 years ago ( ) (lower level) September 21, 1927 94 years ago ( ) (bridge construction) Port Authority of New York and New Jerseyġ4 ft (4.3 m) (upper level), 13.5 ft (4.1 m) (lower level) Įdward W.