About the Bridge:
For years crossing the New River gorge meant long detours, or carefully winding your way down narrow mountain roads. It was not until the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge on October 22, 1977, that this travel problem was solved. However, the solution was not an easy one. Many technical problems had to be overcome. The bridge reduced a 40-minute drive down narrow mountain roads and across one of America's oldest rivers to less than one minute
| Construction Begun | June 1974 |
The West Virginia Department of Highways, which owns the bridge, chose the Michael Baker Company to do the design. The construction contract was awarded to the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel. In June, 1974, the first steel was positioned over the gorge by trolleys running on 3" diameter cables. The cables were strung 3,500 feet between matching pairs of 330-foot towers located on each side of the gorge. Cor-ten steel, with its rust-like appearance that never needs painting, was used in the construction of the bridge. Arching gracefully across the New River, the bridge has the world's 2nd longest single arch steel span. At 876 feet above the New River, it is the second highest bridge in this country. Only the Royal Gorge Bridge over the Arkansas River in Colorado is higher. |
Completion |
October 22, 1977 |
|
Height |
876 feet |
|
Bridge Length |
3,030 feet |
|
Arch Length |
1,700 feet |
|
Rise |
360 feet |
|
Final Cost |
$37,000,000 |
|
Bid Price |
$33,984,000 |
|
Weight |
88,000,000 lbs. |
|
Deck Width |
69 feet |
On the third Saturday in October, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce hosts "Bridge Day™." On this one day a year, the New River Gorge Bridge is open to pedestrians, where a variety of activities draw up to a quarter of a million people. Great views, organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations, music, and a variety of vendors are all part of the Bridge Day™ events. |