When the New River Gorge Bridge was
completed on October 22, 1977, a travel challenge was solved. The bridge
reduced a 40-minute drive down narrow mountain roads and across one of North
America's oldest rivers to less than a minute. When it comes to road
construction, mountains do pose a challenge. In the case of the New River Gorge
Bridge, challenge was transformed into a work of structural art - the longest
steel span in the western hemisphere and the third highest in the United
States.
The New River Gorge Bridge is one of
the most photographed places in West Virginia. The bridge was chosen to
represent the state on the commemorative quarter released by the U.S. Mint in
2006. In 2013, the National Park Service listed the New River Gorge Bridge in
the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic resource.
Directions
The New River Gorge
Bridge is located on U. S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, WV. It is
easily reached from Interstates 64, 77, & 79 and from U. S. Route 60
(Midland Trail). It is approximately 30 minutes north of Beckley, 70 minutes
east of Charleston, and 70 minutes south of Interstate 79. On the north side of
the bridge, Canyon Rim Visitor Center provides outstanding overlooks of the
bridge. If you have the time, consider driving the Fayette Station Road for
some fantastic views from underneath the bridge.
Bridge
Construction
The West
Virginia Division of Highways chose the Michael Baker Company as the designer,
and 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 three-inch diameter cables. The cables were strung 3,500
feet between two matching towers. Cor-ten steel, with a rust-like appearance
that never needs painting, was used in construction.
Bridge Day
On the third
Saturday of October, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce hosts "Bridge
Day." On this one day a year, the famous New River Gorge Bridge is open to
pedestrians and a wide variety of activities—great views, food and crafts vendors,
BASE jumping, rappelling, music, and more—draw thousands of people. Bridge Day
is West Virginia's largest one-day festival, and it is the largest extreme
sports event in the world.
The first
official Bridge Day was celebrated in 1980 when two parachutists jumped from a
plane onto the bridge. They were joined by three additional parachutists, and
all five then jumped from the bridge into the gorge.Today, the event lures
hundreds of BASE jumpers, cheered on by thousands of spectators. "BASE"
stands for Building, Antenna (tower), Span (arch or bridge), and Earth (cliff
or natural formation), the four categories of objects in which BASE jumpers
jump from.
For more
information, visit the Official Bridgeday website, or call the New River
Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 927-0263.
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NOTE: Pets, bicycles, carts, and strollers are not permitted on the bridge during Bridge Day. Coolers, packages, and large packs or satchels will not be permitted on the bridge for security reasons.
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