Henry Hudson Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Hudson Bridge
View from Inwood Hill Park
Coordinates	40°52′40″N 73°55′18″W / 40.877861°N 73.921777°W / 40.877861; -73.921777
Carries	6 lanes (3 upper, 3 lower) of NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway
Crosses	Spuyten Duyvil Creek
Locale	Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx and Inwood, Manhattan, New York City
Official name	Henry Hudson Bridge
Maintained by	MTA Bridges and Tunnels
Characteristics
Design	Double-decked arch bridge
Total length	2,208 ft (673 m)
Longest span	841 ft (256 m)
Clearance above	12 ft (4 m)
Clearance below	143 ft (44 m)
History
Designer	David B. Steinman
Opened	December 12, 1936; 89 years ago (1936-12-12)
Statistics
Daily traffic	62,648 (2016)
Toll	As of January 4, 2026: $8.87 (Tolls By Mail/non-NYCSC E-ZPass); $3.42 (New York E-ZPass); $5.42 (Mid-Tier NYCSC E-Z Pass)

The Henry Hudson Bridge is a special toll bridge in New York City. It has two levels and is made of steel. This bridge crosses the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. It connects two parts of New York City: Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx and Inwood in Manhattan.

The bridge is part of the Henry Hudson Parkway (NY 9A). On the Manhattan side, the parkway leads into Inwood Hill Park. It is important to know that large commercial trucks are not allowed on this bridge or the parkway. The MTA Bridges and Tunnels agency takes care of the bridge.

Discover the Henry Hudson Bridge

The Henry Hudson Bridge is a famous landmark in New York City. It helps thousands of cars travel between the Bronx and Manhattan every day. This bridge is known for its unique design and important history.

Bridge Design and Features

The Henry Hudson Bridge was designed by David B. Steinman. He used ideas from his university studies in civil engineering. The bridge is named after Henry Hudson. He was an explorer whose ship, the Half Moon, anchored nearby in 1609.

When it first opened in 1936, this bridge was very impressive. It was the longest bridge of its kind in the world. It uses a special "arch" design, which means it has a curved shape to support the roadway.

The bridge under construction in June 1936

A close-up view of the bridge from the Manhattan side

The bridge has two levels for traffic. Together, these levels carry six lanes of cars. There is also a path for people to walk or bike across. The bridge crosses the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. This creek flows into the Hudson River.

Right next to the Henry Hudson Bridge is another bridge. This one is called the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge. It is used by Amtrak trains traveling north. You can also find the Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North train station right under the Henry Hudson Bridge on the Bronx side.

A Look Back: Bridge History

The idea for a bridge in this spot came up a long time ago, in 1906. However, some local residents and groups did not want it built. They worried it would harm the beautiful Inwood Hill Park. They also feared it would cause too much traffic in their neighborhoods.

Early Plans and Construction

A famous city planner named Robert Moses supported building the bridge. He liked the route along the Hudson River. The land for the Henry Hudson Parkway was given for free. Workers from the government helped build the parkway.

The first part of the bridge opened on December 12, 1936. It had only one level for cars. The American Bridge Company built it for about $4.9 million. The design allowed for a second level to be added later.

The upper level of the bridge opened on May 7, 1938. This second deck cost about $2 million. The money for this came from the tolls people paid to cross the bridge. Building the bridge helped the Riverdale area grow and develop.

Modern Updates and Repairs

Over the years, the bridge has needed repairs to keep it safe and strong. A big project started in 2000. It was done by a company that continued the work of the original designer, David B. Steinman. These repairs lasted for many years and cost $160 million.

More recently, the bridge was renovated from late 2017 to late 2020. This project cost $86 million. It replaced old parts of both the upper and lower decks. The path for walkers and cyclists was also reopened. Old toll booths on the lower level were removed. The bridge also received new lights and safety upgrades for earthquakes.

Understanding Bridge Tolls

Drivers pay a toll to cross the Henry Hudson Bridge. This money helps pay for the bridge's upkeep and improvements. The original toll when the bridge opened was only 10 cents.

How Tolls Are Collected Today

As of January 4, 2026, the toll for a car is $8.87 if you pay by mail or use a non-New York E-ZPass. If you have a New York E-ZPass, the toll is $3.42 per car. There are also special rates for "Mid-Tier" New York E-ZPass users.

Since February 2024, drivers living in the Bronx with a New York E-ZPass get a 100 percent rebate. This means they do not pay the toll. Bronx residents are automatically part of this program.

The way tolls are collected changed over time. In 2010, the MTA started a new system. They began to remove the old toll booths. This new system is called "open road tolling." It means you don't have to stop at a booth.

This new system started on November 10, 2012. Now, cameras take a picture of your license plate if you don't have an E-ZPass. Then, a bill for the toll is sent to you in the mail. If you have an E-ZPass, sensors read your transponder as you drive by. The upper level toll booths were removed in 2016. The lower level booths were removed in 2019.