<Tr> <Th> Added to NRHP </Th> <Td> August 14, 2013 </Td> </Tr> <P> The New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet (924 m) long over the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States . With an arch 1,700 feet (518 m) long, the New River Gorge Bridge was for many years the world's longest single - span arch bridge; it is now the fourth longest . Part of U.S. Route 19, its construction marked the completion of Corridor L of the Appalachian Development Highway System . The bridge is crossed by an average of 16,200 motor vehicles per day . </P> <P> The roadway of the New River Gorge Bridge is 876 feet (267 m) above the New River . The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world, and is currently the third highest in the United States . In 2005, the structure gained nationwide attention when the US Mint issued the West Virginia state quarter with the bridge depicted on one side . In 2013, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . </P> <P> Construction began on the bridge in June 1974, and was completed on October 22, 1977 . The bridge 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 . The 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 . </P>

What is the tallest bridge in west virginia