History
Construction began on the bridge in June 1974, 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 $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.
Completion of the bridge cut the travel time from one side of the gorge to the other from about 45 minutes to 45 seconds.
Read more about this topic: New River Gorge Bridge
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—Howard Estabrook (1884–1978)