New Pedestrian Bridge Opens at New Jersey's Great Falls

The $1.5 million span provides stunning views of the historic waterfalls that powered America's first planned industrial center.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Paterson, New Jersey officials have opened a new pedestrian bridge overlooking the Great Falls, the latest improvement to the national park that will provide visitors with a closer look at the source of power behind America's first industrial center. The new $1.5 million bridge replaces an older wooden span and offers wheelchair accessibility along with stunning views of the 77-foot high waterfalls.

Why it matters

The Great Falls in Paterson have long been a source of pride and inspiration for the city, dating back to when Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and the Marquis de Lafayette envisioned the site as America's first planned industrial center in 1778. The new pedestrian bridge aims to draw even more visitors to experience this historic landmark and natural wonder.

The details

The new pedestrian bridge crosses the 77-foot high chasm and connects one side of the national park to the other. It was built with federal, county, and city funding, replacing an older wooden plank span that was shut down in 2021 due to structural issues. The 100-foot concrete bridge features a smoother base and is wheelchair accessible, allowing more visitors to experience the stunning views of the Great Falls.

  • The new pedestrian bridge officially opened on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The previous wooden plank span was shut down in August 2021 due to structural deficiencies.

The players

Andre Sayegh

The mayor of Paterson, New Jersey who presided over the opening of the new pedestrian bridge.

Frank Lautenberg

A former U.S. Senator from New Jersey who was instrumental in establishing the Great Falls National Park.

Bill J. Pascrell, Jr.

A former U.S. Congressman from New Jersey who also played a key role in creating the Great Falls National Park.

Lawrence "Pat" Kramer

A former four-term mayor of Paterson who had the vision in the 1970s to create the Great Falls Historic District, which evolved into the national park.

Darren Boch

The superintendent of the Great Falls National Park.

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What they’re saying

“This is Paterson's point of difference. And I would argue, this is the birthplace of the American Dream.”

— Andre Sayegh, Mayor of Paterson (nj.com)

“I do stand in the shadows of some people that did some wonderful things and got all this going. But when I look out at the people that are here, the people that it matters to, it's that Paterson is still important and we are building a bridge to the future.”

— Lawrence "Kip" Kramer, Son of former Paterson mayor Lawrence "Pat" Kramer (nj.com)

“Hamilton saw the falls and he saw the future. An immigrant with imagination, which led to even more immigration and industrialization, and innovation.”

— Andre Sayegh, Mayor of Paterson (nj.com)

“I asked A.I. this morning, 'what is a river without a bridge?' and A.I. said, 'it's a heart without a beat.' And I thought, I'm going to borrow that, but I'm going to fully source that it was A.I.”

— Darren Boch, Superintendent of Great Falls National Park (nj.com)

“The best part of my travel was being able to see these beautiful falls, to be able to feel them, and hear them.”

— Nellie Pou, U.S. Representative, 9th District of New Jersey (nj.com)

What’s next

The park superintendent, Darren Boch, expects the new bridge to help push annual attendance at the Great Falls National Park towards the 500,000 mark, up from 300,000 visitors last year.

The takeaway

The new pedestrian bridge at the Great Falls in Paterson, New Jersey represents an important investment in preserving and promoting one of the state's most iconic natural wonders. By providing visitors with closer and more accessible views of the historic waterfalls, the bridge aims to inspire a new generation about the site's role in America's industrial origins and the enduring power of the 'American Dream' that it represents.