By John Lindell
Facts About the New River Gorge Bridge
Located in Fayetteville, West Virginia, the New River Gorge Bridge is the world's second-highest bridge that is open to vehicular traffic. The bridge takes U.S. Highway 19 over the New River and turns what used to be a 40-minute trip along mountain roads into a crossing of less than a single minute. The bridge is home to an annual festival that comes with many exciting features.
Construction
Construction of the New River Gorge Bridge started in June of 1974 and was completed on October 22nd,1977. The entire project cost $37 million to complete.
Dimensions
The span of the bridge is 3,030 feet from one end to the other. The bridge is 876 feet high and is the second longest single-arch type bridge in the world made of steel.
New River Gorge National River
The bridge exists within the boundaries of the New River Gorge National River, which is overseen by the National Parks Service. The New River Gorge offers some of the best white-water rafting in the world and also has countless opportunities for rock climbers.
Bridge Day Festival
Every October, the Chamber of Commerce of Fayette County closes the bridge to traffic on the third Saturday of the month for a festival. Activities include walks, parachuting from the bridge, rappelling over the side and a day of musical entertainment.
Scenic view
The New River Gorge Bridge is famous for the scenic view of the gorge it provides. There is a center for visitors located on the north side of the bridge with places available for people to look over the edge to see the sights.
Resources
About the Author:
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
Photo Credits:
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tony
