Outerbridge Crossing: Vintage photos of one of Staten Island’s first interstate spans

Editor’s note: A version of this story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated by Nicolette Cavallaro.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Opened alongside the Goethals Bridge on June 29, 1928, the Outerbridge Crossing was built to accommodate an anticipated influx in motor vehicle traffic following World War I.

Originally named the Arthur Kill Bridge, the span was later renamed in honor of Eugenius H. Outerbridge, founding member and first chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

The bridge, spanning from Charleston to Perth Amboy, N.J., is the outermost crossing under the jurisdiction of the Port Authority.

In years past, the bridge has been home to unbearable summer traffic as residents flock to and from the Jersey Shore for weekend getaways.

The iconic Outerbridge toll plaza was reconstructed in the mid-1970s to accommodate increased vehicle volume; it was removed entirely in 2019.

Continue scrolling to browse a collection of photos of the Outerbridge Crossing through the decades.

Aerial view, 1956An aerial shot of Outerbridge Crossing, in May, 1956.NY Port AuthorityRehabilitation work, 1964Workers’ platforms jut out from the Outerbridge Crossing during the rehabilitation work.Staten Island AdvanceOuterbridge Crossing construction, 1964The Port Authority letting out the roadway of the Outerbridge Crossing a few notches on February 22, 1964.Staten Island AdvanceOuterbridge in the distance, 1970Aerial view of the Richmond Parkway, with the Outerbridge Crossing in the top right in 1970.Staten Island AdvanceToll plaza construction, 1972 The span of the Outerbridge crossing looms over construction work on the seven-lane toll plaza. The streamlined plaza was designed to speed traffic flow from the Richmond Parkway.Staten Island AdvanceAerial view of toll plaza, 1974Aerial view of the construction as Port Authority built a toll plaza at the Outerbridge Crossing.Staten Island AdvanceToll plaza, 1975A Port Authority police car leads a caravan of traffic from New Jersey through the old toll plaza at the Outerbridge Crossing in 1975.Staten Island AdvanceOverhead view of toll plaza, 1976Aerial view of the new Outerbridge Crossing toll plaza and administration building in 1976.Staten Island AdvanceAntique cars crossing the span, 1978Antique cars crossing the span in 1978.Staten Island AdvanceTemporary toll plaza, 1983A temporary toll plaza under construction at the Outerbridge Crossing designed to ease traffic congestion in 1983.Staten Island AdvanceView from the pier, 1983Pier piling near the Outerbridge Crossing in 1983.Staten Island AdvanceOuterbridge at night, 1985New Jersey-bound vehicles exit the last Richmond Parkway exit on Staten Island, leaving the westbound lanes on the Outerbridge Crossing, in background, deserted.Staten Island AdvanceBentley Yacht Club, 1986Bentley Yacht Club boats in front of the Outerbridge Crossing in 1986.Staten Island AdvanceView from underneath, 1987The underside of the Outerbridge Crossing.Staten Island AdvanceHeaded toward the Outerbridge, 1988Extensive traffic on the Outerbridge Crossing.Staten Island AdvanceFree-flowing traffic, 1988Light traffic on the Outerbridge.Staten Island AdvanceAerial view, 1988The Outerbridge Crossing, looking west to New Jersey.Staten Island AdvanceHovering helicopter, 1988Coast Guard helicopter hovers near the Outerbridge Crossing during the rescue operation.Staten Island AdvanceSunset, 1993View of the Outerbridge Bridge at sunset.Staten Island AdvanceBlocked entrance, 1994Port Authority Police block the entrance to the closed Outerbridge Crossing.Staten Island Advance

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