The Highest Bridge East Of The Mississippi

Once, it took forty minutes to cross the New River from Fayetteville to Lansing, West Virginia. Now, it takes less than a minute, thanks to the New River Gorge Bridge. In addition to cutting commute times, this bridge holds the title of the highest bridge east of the Mississippi River. The bridge is also the longest steel arch span in the Western Hemisphere and the third-highest bridge in the U.S. Its 1,700-foot steel arch carries the roadway 876 feet abovee the New River, on a bridge 3,030 feet long overall.

Why the New River Gorge Bridge Wins

Measuring the highest bridge east of the river means looking at deck height, which is the vertical distance from the roadway surface to the surface of the water or the ground below. This criterion ensures the top ranking goes to the New River Gorge Bridge. Under different measurements, other bridges could claim the title. For instance, if the criterion shifts to the highest railroad bridge east of the Mississippi (that is still operating), the High Bridge in Kentucky would take the top spot at 308 feet (94 meters) above the Kentucky River.

Saving Time Between Fayetteville and Lansing

Before 1977, it took around forty minutes to get across the New River from Fayetteville to Lansing, West Virginia. Thanks to the engineers from the Michael Baker Company, that journey takes less than a minute today. But it was no easy feat. First, they had to design a structure that would span 3,030 feet, covering the New RIver. They also had to make sure the bridge would support its own weight as well as that of travelers. Plus, the bridge had to withstand severe weather.

With all of these factors in mind, the Michael Baker company got to work. Once the design was done, American Bridge started building the bridge in June 1974. Construction kicked off with a four-tower dual cableway crane system. This helped carry the construction materials and bridge components across the water. The support structures, including the piers at the bottom of the bridge, were constructed before the arches were placed on the north and south sides of the bridge. These arches were joined in the middle before the other steel components were added.

It took three years to complete the project at a cost of $37 million. Containing 21,000 tons of structural steel, 1,700 tons of reinforcing steel, 17,00 cubic yards of substructure concrete, and 6,000 cubic yards of superstructure concrete, the New River Gorge Bridge is now one of the Ten Outstanding Engineering Achievements in the U.S. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Bridge With Its Own Holiday

The New River Gorge Bridge has its own holiday. That is one of the many fun facts that make this engineering marvel stand out from the rest. Bridge Day, an annual festival that began in 1980, has become a West Virginia tradition. In 2005, the West Virginia state quarter featured an image of the bridge embossed on it. The bridge has also been featured on a United States Postal Service Stamp. Visitors can explore a viewing deck for the bridge, which is accessible at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. The center sits inside the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. And, the New River, continuously flowing beneath the bridge, is one of the oldest rivers in the world, is thought to predate the Appalachians.

Choose Your Own Way Down: Jump, Rappel, or Walk

When Bridge Day rolls around, there is great excitement in Fayetteville. It is the largest single-day festival in the state, and takes place on the third Saturday of October. It is the only day of the year that tourists and pedestrians can cross the bridge. As they do, they can take in the views of the river below and watch as hundreds of BASE jumpers and rappellers make their way up and down the bridge.

The bridge is also home to the Bridge Walk tour throughout the year. The tour takes visitors along the catwalk installed 25 feet beneath the bridge deck. The catwalk stretches the entire length of the bridge, and people are clipped in as they walk while listening to a guide explain the history of the bridge and the area.

Just Out of Reach: Other Tall Contenders

As mentioned earlier, there are some other bridges east of the Mississippi that rank under different criteria. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge on Verona Island, Maine, has a road deck that sits only 135 feet (41 meters) above the Penobscot River, but its pylons rise 447 feet (136 meters) above the ground. It has an observatory that sits 420 feet above the river, where people can enjoy 360-degree views.

The Phil G. McDonald Bridge (Glade Creek Bridge) in West Virginia carries Interstate 64 over Glade Creek. Its deck height is 700 feet (213 meters) above the canyon floor, and it is the second-highest bridge east of the Mississippi (if looking at deck height).

The Sidney Lanier Bridge in Georgia features a roadway deck that is 203 feet above the Brunswick River, with a 185 foot clearance for ships, and cable-stayed concrete pylons that extend 486 feet (148 meters) into the air. It is the longest-spanning and tallest cable-stayed bridge in the state.

Emlenton Bridge in Pennsylvania carries Interstate 80 over the Allegheny River. The bridge stands 270 feet (82 meters) above the water. It opened in 1968 and was briefly the highest bridge in the eastern United States until taller bridges were built in the 1970s. It is still the highest road bridge in the state.

High Bridge in Wilmore, Kentucky, is taller, standing 308 feet (94 meters) above the Kentucky River. This railroad bridge is still one of the highest railroad bridges east of the Mississippi after being constructed in 1877 (the highest when measuring active railroad bridges).

The Height of Appalachian Engineering

When measured purely by deck height above the ground or water, the New River Gorge Bridge easily holds the title of highest bridge east of the Mississippi. It is a marvel of Appalachian engineering built with COR-TEN steel, saving the state of West Virginia approximately $1 million for painting maintenance, since it does not need to be repainted, according to the official website of West Virginia. This bridge continues to cut down travel time, too, as motorists make their way across a vast canyon in under a minute every day.