4 Things You Didn’t Know About the Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Do you cross the bridge that crosses the Hudson River between the towns of Hudson NY and Catskill NY? Of the bridges that are a part of the New York State Bridge Authority, it is the one that is the northernmost in their system.

This bridge is also like the other four, which all enjoy cash-less toll collection. But what else do you know about the bridge? Who was it named after? Here's a tip, it wasn't after the person who is known for his expensive bourbon Old Rip Van Winkle.

How did the bridge get its name? How old is it? Can you walk or bike across it? Is it haunted? Well, here are your answers.

Who was the Rip Van Winkle Bridge named after?

The tale that is told is that the Rip Van Winkle bridge was named because of a short story from author Washington Irving, who wrote a story that included both the towns of Hudson and the town of Catskill.

When was the Rip Van Winkle Bridge First Opened to Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic?

The bridge, which originally cost $2,500,000, opened to vehicle and foot traffic in July of 1935. The total spent on the bridge, according to an inflation calculator would be $56,144,343.07.

READ MORE: The Mid-Hudson Bridge on the National Landmark List? 

How Much Does it Cost to Cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge?

The toll collected as a person travels west to east on the bridge varies depending on the size of the vehicle, and if the person has an e-z pass or is paying via Tolls By Mail.

The range in tolls is $1.65 to $24.00.

READ MORE: First of these on Mid-Hudson Bridge, now in Smithsonian

Who designed the Rip Van Winkle Bridge?

According to the Historical Marker Database, the bridge was designed by Glenn B. Woodruff and is a cantilevered and suspended deck truss-type bridge, that took two years to be built.