The bridge turned a minute drive into less than a minute. It removed the need to navigate down narrow mountain roads across an ancient river. When it comes to road construction, mountains do pose a challenge. At New River Gorge, the challenge transformed into a work of structural art. The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest steel span in the western hemisphere.
It is also the third highest bridge in the United States. In , the U. Mint chose the bridge to represent West Virginia on the state commemorative quarter. This listing signifies the importance of the bridge as a historic resource. Before construction could begin, someone had to design the bridge. Crossing a wide, deep gorge was no easy task.
They designed a single span arch bridge 3, feet long and feet above the New River. The American Bridge Division of U. Steel received the construction contract. In June , trolleys positioned the first steel over the gorge. These trolleys ran on three-inch diameter cables. The cables were strung 3, feet between two matching towers.
To avoid the need to paint, workers built the bridge from Cor-ten steel. Cor-ten steel has a rust-like appearance that never needs painting. Three years later, construction was complete and the bridge opened. Communities long separated by the deep gorge were now connected at last. Visitors can view the bridge from overlooks at Canyon Rim Visitor Center. The Long Point trail provides excellent bridge views from a rocky outcropping. The New River Gorge Bridge is a highway, not a pedestrian bridge.
There is no way to walk on top of the bridge except on Bridge Day. Visitors that want to walk underneath the bridge can schedule a tour with Bridge Walk. Bridge Walk is the only company that take visitors on the bridge. They offer 3-hour tours on the maintenance catwalk underneath the bridge. A wide variety of activities draw thousands of people. Visitors experience great views, vendors, BASE jumping, rappelling, music, and more. Bridge Day is not only West Virginia's largest one-day festival but also the largest extreme sports event in the world.
