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The New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
Built in 1974 to 1977, this impressive steel bridge stretches 3,030 feet across one of North America’s oldest rivers. Before the bridge existed, you had to drive on 8-mile long and narrow mountain roads to cross the gorge.
Today, you can drive across in under a minute. The bridge has become West Virginia’s most photographed landmark and even appears on the state’s quarter.
Why This Bridge Set Records When It Opened
The New River Gorge Bridge was once the world’s longest single-arch steel bridge. While bridges in China have broken this record, it’s still the longest bridge of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and ranks third worldwide.
The main part of the bridge spans 1,700 feet, and the whole structure stretches 3,030 feet from end to end. From the road to the river below, the bridge rises 876 feet – higher than any other bridge east of the Mississippi River.
How Workers Built This Massive Bridge
Building a bridge this big in the mountains wasn’t easy. The workers had to deal with steep cliffs, changing weather, and heights that would make most people dizzy. They used cable systems like ski lifts to move materials across the gorge.
It took three years to put together millions of pounds of steel and cement. While the work was dangerous, only one worker died during construction, which was unusually safe for such a big project. The bridge cost $37 million to build, which would be about $170 million today.
Why It Doesn’t Need Paint
The New River Gorge Bridge is constructed with COR-TEN steel, which develops a rust-like patina that protects the structure from corrosion, eliminating the need for painting. This self-protecting feature saves both on construction and maintenance costs.
The rust-colored patina also gives the bridge a unique, rugged appearance, blending beautifully with the surrounding landscape. This combination of durability and aesthetic appeal makes the bridge an iconic structure.
How Falcons Made the Bridge Their Home
Fast and powerful peregrine falcons have turned the bridge into an unexpected nesting spot. These birds can dive at speeds over 200 mph when hunting, and they love using the bridge’s height to spot prey.
The bridge works perfectly for the falcons because it’s as tall as the cliffs where they usually live. The gorge below gives them plenty of space to hunt. The same falcon pairs come back to the bridge every year during their migration.
What Makes the Bridge Stay Strong
The bridge has clever features that help it handle nature’s forces. Hundreds of drains keep rain from collecting on the road, and special tunnels in the design help manage strong winds.
The steel arch spreads the bridge’s weight evenly into huge concrete blocks. These blocks go deep into the rock walls of the canyon. The builders even had to think about the curve of the Earth when they lined everything up.
What You’ll Find Under the Road
If you look beneath the road surface, you’ll see an amazing network of steel supports. The bridge contains approximately 44 million pounds of steel which is responsible for keeping the bridge intact.
Special trucks with cameras check these hidden parts every month. The road itself slopes slightly to help water drain, and hidden sensors track how the bridge moves.
Where to Get the Best Bridge Photos
You’ll find some of Appalachia’s best photo opportunities at this bridge. The huge steel arch looks especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset.
You can choose from three different viewing platforms at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Each season offers something special to photograph, from spring fog to winter snow on the steel.
What Adventures You Can Have at the Bridge
Once a year, experienced BASE jumpers can leap from this 876-foot-high bridge. It’s one of the few legal BASE jumping spots in America.
If you’re looking for less extreme fun, you can take a tour on the bridge’s maintenance walkway. You’ll get amazing views of both the bridge’s design and the deep gorge below.
How the Bridge Looks After Dark
The bridge currently doesn’t have street lights, which helps protect local wildlife. Instead, it stands as a dark shape against the sky.
On clear nights, especially during full moons, you can see the bridge’s outline against the stars. Since there aren’t many lights around, it’s a great place for stargazing.
How the Bridge Changed Local Travel
This bridge transformed how people get around the area. The old 45-minute drive on dangerous mountain roads turned into a quick one-minute trip.
Now, more than 16,200 vehicles cross the bridge each day. The most traffic comes during fall when people visit to see the colorful leaves.
How the Bridge Handles Tough Weather
The bridge can handle strong winds and temperatures that are either hot or cold. That’s quite a range! The arch shape and strong materials make this possible.
The steel can support four times more weight than regular traffic puts on it, and the foundation goes 40 feet into solid rock.
The post The West Virginia Engineering Marvel That Finally Connected Two Sides of Appalachia in 1977 appeared first on When In Your State.
