New River Gorge Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New River Gorge Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 38°4.1′N 81°5.0′W / 38.0683°N 81.0833°W |
| Carries |  US 19 |
| Crosses | New River,  CR 82, CSX Transportation |
| Locale | Fayette County, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Maintained by | West Virginia Division of Highways |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch |
| Total length | 3,030 ft (924 m) |
| Width | 69.3 ft (21.1 m), 4 lanes with center divider |
| Height | 876 ft (267 m) |
| Longest span | 1,700 ft (518.2 m) |
| Clearance above | Deck arch, unlimited clearance |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $37 million (equivalent to $131 million in 2021 dollars) |
| Opened | October 22, 1977 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 16,200 vehicles/day |
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New River Gorge Bridge
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| NRHP reference No. | 13000603 |
| Added to NRHP | August 14, 2013 |
The New River Gorge Bridge is a huge arch bridge in West Virginia, USA. It stretches 3,030 feet (924 m) (about 924 meters) across the New River Gorge. This amazing bridge is part of U.S. Route 19, a major road.
For 26 years, the New River Gorge Bridge was the world's longest single-span arch bridge. Its main arch is 1,700 feet (518 m) (about 518 meters) long! Today, it's still the fifth longest in the world and the longest outside of China.
The bridge's roadway is 876 feet (267 m) (about 267 meters) above the New River. This makes it one of the highest bridges for cars anywhere. It's the third highest in the United States. When it opened in 1977, it was the highest bridge in the world with a regular road.
Because it's so tall, the bridge has always attracted people who love adventure. Every year, it's the main spot for "Bridge Day." On this special day, hundreds of people are allowed to climb on or jump from the bridge safely. The bridge also became famous in 2005 when it was shown on the West Virginia state quarter. In 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important historical site.
Building the Bridge
Work on the New River Gorge Bridge started in June 1974. It took about three years to build, and it was finished on October 22, 1977. The bridge was designed by the Michael Baker Company.
Building the bridge cost $37 million. This was a huge project for West Virginia at the time. The United States government helped pay for 70 percent of the cost.
The bridge is made from a special type of steel called COR-TEN. This steel is designed to rust on the outside, which actually protects it from further damage.
The New River Gorge Bridge made travel much easier. Before it was built, driving from one side of the gorge to the other took about 45 minutes. After the bridge opened, the trip took only 45 seconds! This really helped the local area and its economy.
On August 14, 2013, the bridge was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even though it wasn't 50 years old yet, it was recognized for its big impact on transportation and its amazing engineering.
Visiting the Bridge
The New River Gorge Bridge is located inside the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This park protects the beautiful area around the New River.
At the north end of the bridge, there's a visitor center run by the National Park Service. You can find great views there. There's also a staircase that goes part of the way down into the gorge.
Underneath the bridge's roadway, there's a narrow steel walkway. It's about two feet (60 cm) wide. This walkway was first built for bridge workers to check the bridge. Now, visitors can take guided "Bridge Walk" tours on it. You wear safety gear, and it's a unique way to see the bridge and the gorge!
Bridge Day Festival
Since it opened, the bridge has been the main attraction for "Bridge Day." This exciting festival happens every year on the third Saturday of October.
During Bridge Day, the bridge is closed to cars. People come to watch or take part in activities like rappelling (climbing down ropes) and BASE jumping (jumping from a fixed object with a parachute). However, Bungee jumping has not been allowed during Bridge Day since 1993.
Before the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, two of the bridge's four lanes stayed open to traffic during the festival. But since 2001, for safety reasons, the entire bridge is closed to vehicles on Bridge Day.
The first person to jump off the New River Gorge Bridge was Burton Ervin in 1979. He used a regular parachute.
Gallery
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The West Virginia state quarter, released in 2005, features the New River Gorge Bridge.
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Bridge as seen from the National Park Service Visitors Center, with fog in the New River Gorge below.
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A close-up view of the bridge's strong supports.
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The walkway leading to an observation area near the Visitors Center.
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The New River Gorge Bridge seen from a small airplane. The Tunney Hunsaker Bridge is also visible.
See also
In Spanish: Puente del Barranco del Río Nuevo para niños
- 50 State Quarters
- List of bridges in the United States by height
- List of highest bridges
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the park surrounding the bridge
