The Hudson River Valley, an invaluable
connection between New England and the rest of the colonies during the
American Revolution, continues to be a major crossroads today. The
Hudson River bridges were architectural marvels of their time. The Bear
Mountain Bridge was the longest suspension bridge, while the Newburgh
Beacon second span was built with a new type of weathering steel. The
bridges were constructed during important times in history. The Bear
Mountain Bridge was built as the automobile became an integral part in
the country's development, and the Mid-Hudson Bridge was built during
the Depression. Labor disputes helped develop labor laws, and world wars
led to changes in activity on the bridges.
