The New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
This impressive steel bridge, built between 1974 and 1977, spans one of North America’s oldest rivers for 3,030 feet. Prior to the bridge, crossing the gorge required driving on 8-mile-long, narrow mountain roads.
Today, you can drive across in less than a minute. The bridge has become West Virginia’s most photographed landmark, and it even appears on the state quarter.
Why This Bridge Set Records When It Opened
The New River Gorge Bridge was previously the world’s longest single-arch steel bridge. While Chinese bridges have surpassed this record, it remains the longest bridge of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and ranks third globally.
The bridge’s main span is 1,700 feet long, with a total length of 3,030 feet. The bridge rises 876 feet from the road to the river below, making it the tallest bridge east of the Mississippi.
How Workers Built This Massive Bridge
Building a bridge this large in the mountains was not easy. The workers had to contend with steep cliffs, changing weather, and heights that would make most people dizzy. They used cable systems similar to ski lifts to transport materials across the gorge.
It took three years to assemble millions of pounds of steel and cement. While the work was hazardous, only one worker died during construction, which was unusually low for such a large project. The bridge cost $37 million to build, which is approximately $170 million today.
Why It Doesn’t Need Paint
The New River Gorge Bridge is made of COR-TEN steel, which forms a rust-like patina that protects the structure from corrosion and eliminates the need for painting. This self-protecting feature reduces both construction and maintenance costs.
The rust-colored patina gives the bridge a distinct, rugged appearance that blends well with the surrounding landscape. The bridge’s iconic status stems from its durability and aesthetic appeal.
How Falcons Made the Bridge Their Home
Peregrine falcons, which are fast and powerful, have made the bridge an unexpected nesting spot. When hunting, these birds can dive at speeds of up to 200 mph and enjoy using the bridge’s height to spot prey.
The bridge is ideal for the falcons because it is as tall as the cliffs where they typically live. The gorge below gives them plenty of room to hunt. The same falcon pairs return to the bridge each year during their migration.
What Makes the Bridge Stay Strong
The bridge has clever features that allow it to withstand nature’s forces. Hundreds of drains prevent rain from collecting on the road, and the design includes special tunnels to manage strong winds.
The steel arch distributes the bridge’s weight evenly across large concrete blocks. These blocks penetrate deeply into the canyon’s rock walls. When aligning everything, the builders had to consider the Earth’s curvature.
What You’ll Find Under the Road
If you look beneath the road surface, you’ll notice a remarkable network of steel supports. The bridge contains approximately 44 million pounds of steel, which is responsible for the bridge’s structural integrity.
Every month, special trucks equipped with cameras check these hidden parts. The road slopes slightly to allow water to drain, and hidden sensors monitor how the bridge moves.
Where to Get the Best Bridge Photos
This bridge offers some of Appalachia’s best photo opportunities. The massive steel arch is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
The Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers three different viewing platforms. Every season has something unique to photograph, from spring fog to winter snow on the steel.
What Adventures You Can Have at the Bridge
Every year, experienced BASE jumpers can jump from this 876-foot-high bridge. It’s one of America’s few legal BASE jumping spots.
If you prefer less extreme activities, you can take a tour of the bridge’s maintenance walkway. You’ll have stunning views of both the bridge’s design and the deep gorge below.
How the Bridge Looks After Dark
The bridge currently lacks street lights, which benefits local wildlife. Instead, it appears as a dark shape against the sky.
On clear nights, particularly during full moons, you can see the bridge’s outline against the stars. Because there aren’t many lights nearby, it’s an excellent location for stargazing.
How the Bridge Changed Local Travel
This bridge transformed how people moved around the area. The previous 45-minute drive on dangerous mountain roads was reduced to a quick one-minute trip.
More than 16,200 vehicles cross the bridge every day. The most traffic occurs during the fall, when people come to see the colorful leaves.
How the Bridge Handles Tough Weather
The bridge can withstand high winds and extreme temperatures. That’s quite the range! This is made possible by the arch shape and the strength of the materials.
The steel can support four times as much weight as regular traffic, and the foundation is 40 feet deep in solid rock.
