Time capsule was filled and sealed at a ceremony last week
On the occasion of the kickoff of the 100th birthday of the Bear Mountain Bridge, a group of fourth grade students from Peekskill were asked to create birthday cards to put in a time capsule to be opened in the year 2123. The children were asked to pose some questions to future generations in their notes, and one such question drew great response at last week’s time capsule sealing ceremony. It was: “Did the Buffalo Bills ever win a Super Bowl?”
That moment drew laughter, and the whole ceremony drew smiles, as well over 100 people gathered under the bridge to mark the occasion, and place their submissions into the time capsule.
The Bear Mountain Bridge was dedicated on November 26, 1924. It was a ground-breaking engineering achievement for its time, being the first vehicular bridge over the Hudson River south of Albany and the first suspension bridge with a concrete deck. For a brief period, it also held the title of “bridge with the longest suspended central span in the world.” Many consider the innovations with the Bear Mountain Bridge to have spurred a boom in bridge building in New York State and the entire country in the years following.
Construction began in spring 1923 and lasted 20 months, without a single loss of life.
In September 1940, the New York State Bridge Authority acquired the bridge. In 2018, the bridge received the ceremonial designation of “Purple Heart Veterans Memorial” Bear Mountain Bridge, in honor of Purple Heart recipients and in recognition of the area’s rich military history.
The bridge is situated at the junction of four counties: Orange and Rockland on the west side of the river and Westchester and Putnam on the east side. In addition to serving over 7 million vehicles a year, the bridge is also the Hudson River crossing point for the Appalachian Trail.
While Governor Kathy Hochul wasn’t at last week’s ceremony, she did recognize the day with a press release, stating: “New York has a long history of creating world-class infrastructure that has transformed our state — a legacy that continues to this day,” Hochul said. “As we begin to commemorate the centennial of the Bear Mountain Bridge, I hope residents and visitors alike continue to appreciate the importance of this beloved Hudson Valley fixture.”
A letter from the governor and artifacts related to the Harriman family, who were instrumental in the bridge being built, written memories of the bridge, and various mementos from the Bridge Authority and the Hudson Valley region were included in the time capsule.
The time capsule will be mounted in the bridge’s west anchorage. The space is located in the basement of the bridge’s historic administration building and is home to the Richy Vacek Bear Mountain Bridge Museum. The space, named in memory of the retired bridge foreman, is home to a small museum and classroom area that is open to schools and other groups by appointment. Vacek’s wife Dawn was on hand for the ceremony.
At the ceremony, the time capsule was sealed by NYSBA’s longest-serving employee, John Brooks. A resident of Ulster County, Mr. Brooks first worked as a toll collector at the Mid-Hudson Bridge starting in September 1966. Since retiring from full-time service in 1997, Mr. Brooks has stayed on as a part-time employee at NYSBA headquarters in Highland, NY, dedicating over 56 years of service to the Authority.
New York State Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners Chair Joan McDonald hosted the event.
“Ever since the Bridge Authority took ownership of the bridge in 1940, the NYSBA Board of Commissioners has worked to ensure the Bear Mountain Bridge remains a safe, reliable, and affordable river crossing for the residents and visitors of the Hudson Valley. As we dedicate this time capsule, we recommit ourselves to this mission to ensure that travelers 100 years from now can continue to experience this beloved span and the beautiful region it calls home,” she said.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus were unable to be at the event, but Rockland County Executive Ed Day was on hand to place the latest issue of the Rockland County Travel Guide in the capsule. Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “The Bear Mountain Bridge has served as a symbol of resilience and growth for a century. Let us look forward to the future with the same determination and innovation that built this magnificent bridge.”
Between now and Fall 2024, several events and initiatives are underway to celebrate one of the Hudson Valley’s most recognizable structures, including a centennial website (www.bmb100.com), a documentary film and an international bridge engineering conference.
An interesting note: at the time the bridge opened in 1924, the roundtrip toll for a passenger car was $1.60, with surcharges for passengers. Starting May 1, 2023, the roundtrip toll will be $1.65 for E-ZPass drivers and $2.15 for Tolls by Mail customers, regardless of the number of passengers.
