Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Location in New Mexico
Nearest city	Taos, New Mexico
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1965 (1965)
Architect	Charles E. Reed, Chief Bridge Engineer; Herman Tachau, Principal Bridge Designer
Architectural style	Steel deck truss
MPS	Historic Highway Bridges of New Mexico MPS
NRHP reference No.	97000733
Added to NRHP	July 15, 1997

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is a famous bridge in New Mexico, United States. People also call it the "Gorge Bridge" or the "High Bridge." It's a strong steel bridge that crosses the huge Rio Grande Gorge. The bridge is about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Taos, New Mexico. It stands about 600 feet (183 meters) above the Rio Grande river. This makes it one of the ten highest bridges in the United States!

Building the Bridge
Awards and Recognition
Bridge Updates
How High Is It?
Gallery
See also

Building the Bridge

Building the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge started in 1963. Workers finished it in 1965. The bridge officially opened on September 10, 1965.

It is an important part of U.S. Route 64. This road helps people travel east and west across the country.

The entire bridge is 1,280 feet (390 meters) long. It has two parts that lead up to the main section. Each of these parts is 300 feet (91 meters) long. The main part of the bridge, which crosses the gorge, is 600 feet (183 meters) long.

Awards and Recognition

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge has won awards for its design. In 1966, the American Institute of Steel Construction gave it a special award. They called it the "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" in its category. This shows how well-designed and impressive the bridge is.

Bridge Updates

In September 2012, the bridge got a big update. This project cost $2.4 million. Workers spent a year making the 50-year-old bridge even better.

They fixed the steel parts of the bridge. They also put in a new concrete surface for cars to drive on. New sidewalks, ramps, and curbs were also added. These updates help keep the bridge safe and strong for many more years.

How High Is It?

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is one of the highest bridges in the U.S. But its exact height above the river has been measured differently over time.

When the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1967, its height was listed as 650 feet (198 meters). Many people still use this number today.

However, in 2010, a website about high bridges said it was 565 feet (172 meters) tall. This measurement might have been taken with a laser. Later, in 2015, a new height of 600 feet (183 meters) was suggested. This number is often used now until everyone agrees on the exact height.