Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Nearest city Taos, New Mexico
Coordinates 36°28′34″N 105°43′56″W / 36.47611°N 105.73222°W / 36.47611; -105.73222Coordinates: 36°28′34″N 105°43′56″W / 36.47611°N 105.73222°W / 36.47611; -105.73222
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built 1965 (1965)
Architect Charles E. Reed
Architectural style Steel deck truss
MPS Historic Highway Bridges of New Mexico MPS
NRHP Reference # 97000733[1]
NMSRCP # 1664
Significant dates
Added to NRHP July 15, 1997
Designated NMSRCP May 9, 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,[3] it is the seventh highest bridge in the United States and 82nd highest bridge in the world.[4]

Construction

The bridge was started in 1963 and completed in 1965.[5] 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-long (91 m) approach spans with a 600-foot-long (180 m) main center span.

Awards

In 1966 the American Institute of Steel Construction awarded the bridge "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" in the "Long Span" category.[6]

Restoration

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.[5]

Suicide problem

The bridge has been the site of numerous suicides. Authorities are studying ways to deter suicides, including the construction of suicide barriers, such as higher fencing, netting, or more security, but cite money as a major reason no steps have been taken.[7][8][9]

The bridge has appeared in several films, including Natural Born Killers, Twins, White Sands, She's Having a Baby, The Signal, Paul, Wild Hogs, and Terminator Salvation.

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "High Bridge Overlook on US 64 northwest of Taos"
  3. ↑ "Rio Grande Gorge Bridge"
  4. ↑ "List of 500 Highest International Bridges"
  5. 1 2 "Santa Fe New Mexican: Crews finish Rio Grande Gorge Bridge face-lift". Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Prize Bridge : 1960's Winners
  7. ↑ State studies ways to prevent suicides at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
  8. ↑ Catalogue of Tears, Part 2
  9. ↑ "Suicide deterrents at Río Grande Gorge Bridge gain momentum". The Taos News. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
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