Fayette Station Road - New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Before the New River Gorge Bridge was opened in 1977, US-19 was a narrow roadway with several hairpin curves at numerous switchbacks on both sides of the river. The original Fayette Station bridge was built in 1889 and connected the towns of Lansing and Fayetteville, West Virginia. Travel time between the towns was at least 45 minutes and often far longer. With a 65-mph speed limit on the bridge, it is possible to cross the 3030-foot span in just 32 seconds.

Driving the old road south from Lansing down to Fayette Station and back up to Fayetteville was an experience not easily forgotten. Trying to visualize the mostly one-way road as the major transportation link that it once was is almost impossible. We visited New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in late October 2021.

View south from upstream of the new bridge

View south from under the new bridge

View south from downstream of the new bridge

View toward the north abutment

One of the bents supporting the arch bridge

View downstream from the Fayette Station bridge

View upstream

Another view of the arch bridge

View of the one-lane Fayette Station Bridge from the northeast abutment

One more view of the arch bridge

Fayette Station Bridge from the northeast

Rapids downstream of the old bridge

View upstream

Side view of the Fayette Station bridge

Arch bridge from the Fayette Station Day Use Area

South arch abutment

There is no entrance fee at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve website is https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm.