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Information:
The Station Road Bridge, also known as the Also know as the Fayette Station Bridge and the Townsend′s Ferry Bridge is a single span single lane through truss bridge on Fayette Station Road, which is a two and one lane road that winds up and down through the New River gorge between Fayettville and Lansing, West Virginia. After the rededication in 1997, the official name of the bridge became the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge.
Closed, then Rebuilt
With the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge in 1977, which crossed at the top of the New River Gorge, caused the Station Road Bridge, which is at the bottom of the gorge to become an inconvenient and unnecessary bridge. Due to the Station Road bridge being in a deteriorated state, it was closed to traffic in 1977. However, in 1997, a reconstruction project to reopen the bridge to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic was undertaken, allowing the many tourists who visit the area today to explore the river valley.
This project was unique in that nearly all of the original bridge material was replaced with new materials, however, a few original pieces were saved and reused. All of the new material used were manufactured to replicate the original design of the old bridge but there were some changes including the use of bolts instead of rivets and the heavier materials used in the members of the pony approach truss span.
Furthermore, the sidewalks on either side of the bridge were not part of the original design but added in the reconstruction.
Driving Directions:
The bridge is located on Fayette Station Road at the bottom of the New River Gorge.
Location:
Coordinates:
38.0647489, -81.0771245
Elevation:
851 feet
Bridge Specification
Bridge Type:
Pennsylvania Through Truss Single Lane Wood Deck Bridge
Date Open:
1889, 1997
Date Closed:
1977
Reconstructed and Reopened in 1997
Year Bypassed:
1977
Replaced by the
New River Gorge Bridge
Total Length:
420 feet
Deck Width:
14.4 feet
Main Span Length:
277.9 feet
Crosses:
New River at bottom of gorge
Clearance Above:
(Vehicle Clearance) about 14.1 feet
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance) about 20 feet
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