New York City

Political Gridlock Over Battle to Fix Spelling of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Eases Slightly

The bridge name is spelled with one Z. It should have two Z's for the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered New York Harbor in 1524

What to Know

  • The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is spelled with one Z, when it should have two Z's for the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano
  • Da Verrazzano discovered New York Harbor in 1524
  • A college student started a petition drive to fix the spelling; state officials initially balked, saying the renaming could cost millions

The political gridlock has eased slightly in the battle to fix the spelling of New York City's Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The state Senate has passed a bill that would change the spelling, which has been wrong for over 50 years.

The Assembly version was still stuck in committee traffic when the legislative session ended late Wednesday.

The bridge name is spelled with one Z. It should have two Z's for the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered New York Harbor in 1524.

A Brooklyn College student started a petition drive to make things right in deference to Italian-Americans.

State officials initially balked, saying a bridge renaming can cost millions.

A statue of Verrazzano in lower Manhattan includes the two Z's, as does a bridge over Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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