Near Linville in Avery County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Linn Cove Viaduct

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

1. Linn Cove Viaduct Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first bridge of its type in the United States, the Linn Cove Viaduct is a product of design and construction techniques developed in Europe. The S-shaped structure contains 153 concrete segments, only one of which is straight. Weighing 50 tons each and joined by epoxy and massive steel tendons, the segments form a deck nearly one-quarter mile long that is supported by seven piers.

Computer technology enabled engineers to design and construct this geometrically complex structure. The technique used in building the viaduct allowed the rugged terrain and the forest of this ancient mountain to be preserved. Conventional construction methods would have obliterated Linn Cove's massive boulder field and severely altered the steep mountain profile.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list.

Location.

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36° 5.449′ N, 81° 48.847′ W. Marker is near Linville, North Carolina, in Avery County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 304.4), one mile north of Blowing Rock Highway (U.S. 221). Marker is located at the Linn Cove Visitor Center, overlooking the viaduct observation trail at the north end of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Linville NC 28646, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stephen Tyng Mather (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Andre Michaux (approx. 1.8 miles away); Asa Gray (approx. 1.9 miles away); A Woman of War (approx. 4.6 miles away); Banner Elk (approx. 5½ miles away); Julian Price Memorial Park (approx. 5.6 miles away); Old Lake Bed (approx. 5.9 miles away); Shepherd M. Dugger (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Linville.

Also see . . .
1. History of the Linn Cove Viaduct. As the last piece of the Parkway to be completed, the Linn Cove Viaduct was a peak of Parkway engineering and environmental protection. Completed in 1983 at a cost of almost $10 million, the Linn Cove Viaduct is 1,243 feet long and contains 153 segments weighing 50 tons each. The American Society of Civil Engineers designated it a National Civil Engineering Landmark. (Submitted on May 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Linn Cove Viaduct construction image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Linn Cove Viaduct construction

The viaduct was constructed "from the top down." Starting from the south end, a crane lowered each segment into place. Once a segment was secured, the crane then moved over the completed section to add the next segment. Pier components were lowered into place from the bridge deck.

2. Linn Cove Viaduct - Final Link of the Parkway. This seven-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway – once the Parkway’s missing link – was completed in 1987. It was delayed for twenty years as environmentalists, adjacent landowners, engineers, and architects sought a design that would preserve and protect the fragile habitat of adjacent Grandfather Mountain. (Submitted on May 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: The Linn Cove Viaduct traverses Grandfather Mountain’s boulder field image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: The Linn Cove Viaduct traverses Grandfather Mountain’s boulder field

Linn Cove Viaduct Marker (<i>wide view • trail to Viaduct observation point in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

4. Linn Cove Viaduct Marker (wide view • trail to Viaduct observation point in background)

Linn Cove Viaduct ASCE Award 1984 (<i>wide view • near marker • Visitor Center in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

5. Linn Cove Viaduct ASCE Award 1984 (wide view • near marker • Visitor Center in background)

Linn Cove Viaduct ASCE Award 1984 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

6. Linn Cove Viaduct ASCE Award 1984

Linn Cove Viaduct
Civil Engineering Achievement of Merit
1984
Awarded by the
American Society of Civil Engineers

Linn Cove Viaduct (<i>view from observation trail underneath the viaduct</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

7. Linn Cove Viaduct (view from observation trail underneath the viaduct)

Linn Cove Viaduct (<i>wide view from Blue Ridge Parkway - north of the viaduct</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2019

8. Linn Cove Viaduct (wide view from Blue Ridge Parkway - north of the viaduct)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 285 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.