Lansing in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Bridge
Photographed By Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
1. The Bridge Marker
When the New River Gorge Bridge was completed on October 22, 1977, a travel challenge was solved. The bridge reduced a 45-minute drive down narrow mountain roads and across one of North America's oldest rivers to less than a minute drive. When it comes to road construction, mountains do pose a challenge. In this case the challenge was transformed into a work of structural art.
In June 1974, the first steel was positioned over the gorge by trolleys running on three-inch diameter cables. The cables were strung 3,500 feet between two matching towers.
Michael Baker Company designed the bridge and the American Bridge division of U.S. Steel constructed it using Corten steel with a rust-like appearance that never needs painting.
To celebrate the anniversary of the completion of the bridge, Bridge Day is held annually on the third Saturday of October. On that day the bridge is open to pedestrians and a wide variety of activities are offered, drawing tens of thousands to West Virginia's largest festival.
Two Statues of Liberty and one Washington Monument can fit under the arch with 20 feet to spare.
• The roadway is 876 feet (267 m) above the New River • The bridge is 3,030 feet (924 m) long • The arch is 1,700 feet (518 m) long
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1974.
Location. 38° 4.2′ N, 81° 4.7′ W. Marker is in Lansing, West Virginia, in Fayette County. Marker is on Visitors Center Road, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing WV 25862, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Layers of History (within shouting distance of this marker); Growth of an Era (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanning the Gorge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); New River Gorge Bridge (about 500 feet away); Smoke, Coke, Coal, and Kaymoor (about 600 feet away); New River Gorge Scenic Drives (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.
Also see . . . New River Gorge Bridge. (Submitted on January 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)
Photographed By Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
2. The Bridge Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
3. A View of the Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
