Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

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Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Nearest city: Taos, NM
Coordinates: 36°28′34.46″N 105°43′56.14″W / 36.4762389°N 105.7322611°W / 36.4762389; -105.7322611Coordinates: 36°28′34.46″N 105°43′56.14″W / 36.4762389°N 105.7322611°W / 36.4762389; -105.7322611
Built: 1965
Architect: Charles E. Reed, Chief Bridge Engineer; Herman Tachau, Principal Designer
Architectural style: Other
Governing body: State
MPS: Historic Highway Bridges of New Mexico MPS
NRHP Reference#: 97000733 [1]
Added to NRHP: July 15, 1997

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, locally known as the "Gorge Bridge" and the "High Bridge" [2] is a steel deck arch bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Taos, New Mexico, United States. At 565 feet (172 m) above the Rio Grande, it is the tenth highest bridge in the United States and 82nd highest bridge in the world.[3]

Contents

Construction [edit]

The bridge was started in 1963 and completed in 1965.[4] It was dedicated on September 10, 1965 and is a part of U.S. Route 64, a major east-west road. The span is 1,280 feet (390 m): two 300-foot (91 m)-long approach spans with a 600-foot (180 m)-long main center span.

Awards [edit]

In 1966 the American Institute of Steel Construction awarded the bridge "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" in the "Long Span" category.[citation needed] See: http://www.aisc.org/contentNSBA.aspx?id=21368

Restoration [edit]

A $2.4 Million "facelift" to the bridge was completed in September 2012. This year-long project included repair and restoration work to the 50-year-old bridge including structural steelwork, a new concrete deck surface, new sidewalks, ramps, curbs and gutters.[4]

Suicide problem [edit]

The bridge has been the site of numerous suicides. Authorities are studying ways to prevent suicides there.[5][6]

In popular culture [edit]

The bridge has appeared in several films, including Natural Born Killers, Twins, She's Having a Baby, Paul, Wild Hogs and Terminator Salvation.[citation needed]

Gallery [edit]

  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, 1970
  • Dedication plaques at bridge, 2008
  • View from bridge, 2006
  • View of bridge and rainbow, 2006

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. 
  2. ^ "High Bridge Overlook on US 64 northwest of Taos"
  3. ^ "List of 500 Highest International Bridges"
  4. ^ a b "Santa Fe New Mexican: Crews finish Rio Grande Gorge Bridge face-lift". Retrieved 08 Octl 2012. 
  5. ^ State studies ways to prevent suicides at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
  6. ^ Catalogue of Tears, Part 2

External links [edit]
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