The Bear Mountain Bridge will turn 100 years old later this year and the celebration of the iconic landmark has begun. Activities between now and November include an online pop-up shop, guided hiking tours, an art workshop, an international engineering conference, and a dedication ceremony. The Bear Mountain Bridge is the Hudson River’s first vehicular crossing south of Albany. “The Bear Mountain Bridge is truly an icon of the Hudson Valley and New York State,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The bridge was a remarkable engineering achievement in 1924 and has been a mainstay of our transportation network ever since. I encourage my fellow New Yorkers to come together to honor its legacy and envision the possibilities that lie for us on the road ahead as we continue to move our state forward.” Events to celebrate the Bear Mountain Bridge include:
- Honoring Purple Heart Veterans at the “Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bear Mountain Bridge” (August 7, 2024)
- Bridges to Parks Series: Hike the Bear Mountain (September 7, 2024)
- Bear Mountain Bridge Centennial Dedication Ceremony (November 24, 2024)
The Bear Mountain Bridge was dedicated on November 26, 1924, and opened to the general public a day later on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1924. The bridge was originally built by a private enterprise, the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company. In September 1940, the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) acquired the bridge, making it NYSBA’s southernmost bridge.
