New River Gorge Bridge

The New River Gorge Bridge is a steel-arch bridge, in Fayetteville, West Virginia, United States. With a length of 3,030 feet (924 m), it was for many years the longest in the world of that type. Its arch extends 1,700 feet (518 m). Part of U.S. Highway 19, it is crossed by an average of 16,200 motor vehicles per day. Its construction marked the completion of Corridor L. The New River Gorge Bridge carries U.S. Highway 19 over the New River at a height of 876 feet (267 m), making it the highest vehicular bridge in the Americas, and the second-highest in the world. Before the 2004 opening of the Millau Viaduct in France, it was the highest in the world.

New River Gorge Bridge

Crosses                       New River, CR 82 , CSX railway

Locale                         Fayetteville, West Virginia, United States 

Design                         Arch

Longest span              1,700 ft (518.2 m)

Total length                3,030 ft (924 m)

Width                          69.3 ft (21.1 m), 4 lanes with center divider

Clearance                    Vertical

Deck                            Arch, unlimited clearance

Clearance below          876 ft (267 m)

Opening date              October 22, 1977

History

Construction began on the bridge in June 1974, and completed on October 22, 1977. It was designed by the Michael Baker Company, under the direction of Chief Engineer Clarence V. Knudsen, and executed by U.S. Steel's American Bridge Division. Final cost of construction was $37 million (approximately $4 million over bid). It is made from Cor-ten steel. The use of Cor-ten in construction presented several challenges; notable among them was ensuring that the weld-points weathered at the same rate as the rest of the steel.

Many locals say, with little exaggeration, that completion of the bridge cut the travel time from one side of the gorge to another from 45 minutes to 45 seconds.