GW Bridge Painter: Dangerous Jobs

So how's this for an occupational hazard spending a day suspended hundreds of feet from the ground above fourteen lanes of legendary rush hour traffic. At least it beats any corner office view and... See More

So how's this for an occupational hazard spending a day suspended hundreds of feet from the ground above fourteen lanes of legendary rush hour traffic. At least it beats any corner office view and ABC's own Bob Woodruff gave it a war. It is a crown atop the New York City skyline made of cables and steel beams the busiest bridge in the world. Almost a mile long. Towering more than 600 feet high. Suspended. Over the Hudson River the George Washington Bridge is PTI workers balancing walking sometimes sliding down the beach. It takes the more than a year and a half just to finish the job. Hardly any. Journalists have ever been allowed the top of the bridge. But we -- sustain any it is a rare look at life atop this marvel of American engineering. So rare and exclusive potential bridge painters need to ace a series of tests. This is the final exam a large portion -- that's bridge -- -- -- dare it -- -- up there but 90% failed that some people felt let him play out. Resident bill. -- -- To go any further we had to take the test and prove we wouldn't panic. This is certainly not for the faint of heart but -- a once upon a time mountain climber I did feel somewhat safe. Success. But the real danger is out here with the barrels the bridge around -- And there is no -- between us. Fourteen lanes of traffic whizzing along the workers told me none of their colleagues have ever done it. Times that I've actually been scared. Not just where -- our news. There's the fear of being up here. There have been some close calls -- ever fallen and the ever -- again. -- that Gonzales has painted three other bridges this is his first time on this one what's the best. -- -- best moments okay morning. -- Just done here by yourself. Wolf occasionally accompanied by traffic guys. There had never been any women on this job -- -- my producer -- act that she was the first female to scale these barrels. But Gonzales has -- -- who might be a future candidate tells everybody what I do. -- really gets a kick out of being in August so one of the fixes. Paintings silver or -- of the -- and I've seen this matter. But what are your kids say about this you have your eyes. -- -- There's a Smart kid he had taken his place it -- -- stunningly beautiful right donates his statue of liberty from here. It -- all all almost that the West Point. For all the beauty there -- real safety concerns. Everyone wears two harnesses everything is securely attached. Anything falls could cause a traffic accident. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- a serious. When that severe winds barreled through several years ago. The painters were right here on the ring what does it came close enough that -- -- the rate. Many Aaron and slammed it down. Despite those dangers it is a beautiful place -- here rare view for all of us. I'm Bob Woodruff for Nightline on top of the George Washington Bridge.