/The New River Gorge Bridge is located about 30 minutes south of Summersville . On u.s.rt 19,visitors centers will be on your left.Just follow the signs. You cant miss it. If you want to cross the bridge,you can turn around about 1/4 mile past or you will wind up in the town of Fayetteville. National Park Service visitors’ center.
The visitors center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed for holidays) and admission is free. The New River Gorge visitors center has many displays and information on the gorge and the building of the bridge.Restrooms are available. When you finished make sure to walk go to at least the top observation(it’s only about 100 yards) deck for a nice view from the top side of the bridge. If you have more time and a good set of legs. Head down the walk way for two more spectacular views of the New River Gorge Bridge.You can drive down the old road.That runs under the bridge.That is if you have the time.It will take you around an hour to get back to Fayetteville.It’s not a bad ride as long as you dont get car sick easy.It has many sharp turns and switchbacks along the way.You will across the original bridge and under the 
big bridge several times.You can get a road map at the visitors center.
The history of New River Gorge Bridge.
Construction began on the bridge in June 1974 and yes I am old enough to remember when, and completed
on October 22, 1977. It was designed by the Michael Baker Company, under the direction of Chief Engineer Clarence V. Knudsen, and executed by U.S. Steel’s American Bridge Division. Final cost of construction was a whopping $37 million (approximately $4 million over bid). It is made from Cor-ten steel. The use of Cor-ten in construction presented several challenges; notable among them was ensuring that the weld-points weathered at the same rate as the rest of the steel.
There were even rumors that workers fell into the concrete and were buried alive. Although a few workers did lose their lives during the construction.No one actually well into the massive concrete forms.
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Once a year on “Bridge Day,” the bridge is closed off to all traffic.It used to have one lane open,but officials were worried about possible terrorist attacks on the remains open lane. This shindig as all kinds of crazy people who jump off the bridge”base jumping”.The event is held every October on the third Saturday(around the 18th). It makes for an exciting day.
