WV History: Fayette Station Bridge

Image result for tunney hunsuker bridge" — Michelle Seletyn on old Fayette Station Bridge

Oh, the stories I could tell. I used to love sneaking onto the bridge in the mid 1980s, finding the hole big enough to see down through and then letting my legs dangle.

This blog compiles some old photos, structure information and as many articles about Fayette Station (pre-NRG Bridge) as I could find in the archives.

I hope this brings “kids” my age some good nostalgia…

1. View northwest, main Pennsylvania Petit truss span (note New River Gorge Bridge in background). - Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV — Title: 1. View northwest, main Pennsylvania Petit truss span (note New River Gorge Bridge in background). – Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV
Creator(s): Angus, Norse, creator
Medium: 4 x 5 in.

2. View northwest, south pier. - Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV — Title: 2. View northwest, south pier. – Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV
Creator(s): Angus, Norse, creator
Medium: 4 x 5 in.

3. View northwest, southeast elevation. - Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV — Title: 3. View northwest, southeast elevation. – Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV
Creator(s): Angus, Norse, creator
Medium: 4 x 5 in.

4. View north, pony truss approach span. - Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV — Title: 4. View north, pony truss approach span. – Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV
Creator(s): Angus, Norse, creator
Medium: 4 x 5 in.

5. View northwest, pony truss elevation. - Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV — Title: 5. View northwest, pony truss elevation. – Fayette Station Bridge, Spanning New River at County Route 82, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV
Creator(s): Angus, Norse, creator
Medium: 4 x 5 in.

Structure Type: Metal 16 Panel Pin-Connected Pennsylvania Through Truss, Fixed. and Approach Spans: Metal 5 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Full-Slope Pony Truss, Fixed

Construction Date and Builder / Engineer 1889 By Builder/Contractor: Virginia Bridge and Iron Company of Roanoke, Virginia

After the completion of the NRG Bridge in 1977, the Fayette Station Bridge became unnecessary for everyday traffic. It soon came to a state of disrepair. In the deteriorated state, the bridge was closed to traffic however, in 1997, a project to reopen the bridge to both vehicular and foot traffic, allowing the many tourists who visit the area today to explore the river valley. A few original pieces of the old bridge were saved and reused in the new structure. While