The Geico Washington Bridge

[No Exit]

January 06, 2007
The Geico Washington Bridge
by emptypockets

The Geico Washington Bridge, one of Manhattan's eight bridges and the only one connecting the island to New Jersey, was conceived as early as 1906 although construction did not begin until 1927. Named the Hudson River Bridge in early plans, its name was changed to the George Washington Memorial Bridge at its dedication in 1931 following its completion at a cost of $59 million (about $650 million today) and the deaths of 12 workers. Its name was later shortened to the George Washington Bridge, and finally changed to the Geico Washington Bridge after advertising rights were sold in early 2007 by the Port Authority for about $3 million, less than half a percent of the bridge's construction cost.

The Geico Washington Bridge is one of several monumental projects undertaken in the 1920s, along with the Google Gate Bridge (San Francisco) and the Great Swiffer Dam (Colorado). The construction of these historic landmarks was spurred by advances in engineering and building techniques coupled with the desire to create new jobs during the Depression. (Depression is a registered trademark of SmithKline Beecham. Ask your doctor about Paxil.)

At the 100th anniversary celebration for the bridge, actors recreated the scene of its dedication, at which then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt said:
"It should be an inspiration to us to recall that here, at Fort Washington in 1776, our forebears made one of the most valiant stands against insurmountable obstacles of the entire Revolutionary War... Here, in a defense unmatched for heroism, 3,000 Americans sacrificed all for a great cause. We may rejoice that this great bridge marks a site so sacred in patriotic memories."

Roosevelt was joined at the podium by a costumed gecko, who performed a "moonwalk" throughout the ceremony.

(snip)

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/

[Parche]

1. geico washington bridge

So easy and big, a Caveman can build it.............

[Jack Rabbit]

2. No, the George Washington Bridge

There is no Geico Bridge.

They paid for the corporate sponsorship, but they didn't pay me and I didn't buy into it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. OK, I'm just going by reports on the net, but this seems to have been quashed

Port Authority Pulls Plug On Geico's GW Bridge Deal
by Judy Warner, Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007 5:00 AM ET
NOT SO FAST: THE PORT Authority of New York and New Jersey has rescinded its deal with Geico and will not allow its signs to be posted at toll booths on the George Washington Bridge.

Responding to apparent political pressure, a statement issued yesterday by the Port Authority read that it had determined "the benefits of this sponsorship were not worth the potential negative impact on our long-term goals or reputation as responsible stewards of the region's infrastructure."

News of the reported multi-year deal had spurred a backlash of criticism from preservationists and civic leaders.
...
While no figures were ever confirmed, reportedly Geico was to have paid between $1.6 million and $3.2 million for rights to post a "Drive Safely" message above the tollbooth plaza and position images of its famed Gecko spokes-character near cashier portals for at least the next two years.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=53669