The tallest, most impressive bridge in West Virginia comes as no surprise, as its also one of our favorites, and definitely the state’s most famous: the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville.
Not far from Fayetteville, West Virginia stands a huge, arched bridge that spans the New River Gorge.
JWorst/Flickr The bridge is a state icon, representing the rugged strength of West Virginia and her people.
At 876 feet above the river, it’s the highest bridge in West Virginia and the 3rd highest vehicular bridge in the whole United States.
National Park Service/Flickr It’s also the fourth-longest single arch span bridge in the world.
The bridge handles roughly 16,000 vehicles per day along U.S. Highway 19.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/herndonkid55/34686668722/ If you’re planning a trip over this bridge, make sure to stop at the nearby visitor’s center and overlook for a better view!
The bridge was built in the 1970s and cost $37 million.
starmanseries/Flickr Once completed, it cut the drive from one side of the gorge to the other from 45 minutes to 45 seconds.
In addition to spanning the New River Gorge across the New River, the bridge also crosses over country road 82 and a CSX railroad line.
ipmueller99/Flickr
The bridge is a popular attraction for a variety of reasons.
Jeremy Markovich/Flickr Tourists and locals alike love to hike surrounding trails and photograph the iconic bridge. A popular visitors center is situated at one end to inform about and feature the bridge. Bridge walks through the undergirding of the bridge are available, and you can even jump off the bridge on specially designated “Bridge Days.”
The New River Gorge itself receives national attention as National River managed by the National Park Service, and not just any bridge could measure up to the gorge’s grand landscape. But the New River Gorge Bridge has risen to the challenge…magnificently.
mr.rcollins/Flickr
There’s no other bridge like it in the world, and we’re proud to have it as one of the things that represent our state to the nation (it even appears on the West Virginia quarter!). To experience this bridge like never before, consider adding the incredible bridge walk to your bucket list!
JWorst/Flickr
The bridge is a state icon, representing the rugged strength of West Virginia and her people.
National Park Service/Flickr
It’s also the fourth-longest single arch span bridge in the world.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/herndonkid55/34686668722/
If you’re planning a trip over this bridge, make sure to stop at the nearby visitor’s center and overlook for a better view!
starmanseries/Flickr
Once completed, it cut the drive from one side of the gorge to the other from 45 minutes to 45 seconds.
ipmueller99/Flickr
Jeremy Markovich/Flickr
Tourists and locals alike love to hike surrounding trails and photograph the iconic bridge. A popular visitors center is situated at one end to inform about and feature the bridge. Bridge walks through the undergirding of the bridge are available, and you can even jump off the bridge on specially designated “Bridge Days.”
mr.rcollins/Flickr
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Address: New River Gorge Bridge, New Haven, WV, USA
