Phil G. McDonald Bridge

Phil G. McDonald Bridge
Phil G. McDonald Bridge from bottom of Glade Creek canyon
Coordinates37°46′06″N 81°02′30″W / 37.768333°N 81.041667°W / 37.768333; -81.041667
Carries4 lanes of I-64
CrossesGlade Creek (New River)
LocaleBeckley, West Virginia, United States
Other name(s)Glade Creek Bridge
OwnerWest Virginia Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignDeck truss
Total length2,179 ft (664 m)
Height700 ft (213 m)
Longest span784 ft (239 m)
History
Construction cost$29 million[1]
OpenedJuly 15, 1988
Location
Map

The Phil G. McDonald Memorial Bridge, also known as the Glade Creek Bridge, is a deck truss bridge located in Raleigh County, West Virginia near the city of Beckley. The bridge is among the ten highest bridges in the United States, and was the highest bridge within the Interstate Highway System (being a part of I-64) before the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge connecting Arizona and Nevada was designated as part of I-11 in 2018,[1] with a deck height of 700 ft (213 m) above Glade Creek.[2][3] The bridge is also among the top hundred highest bridges in the world.[4]

The bridge is named after West Virginia native Phill G. McDonald (the official bridge name is missing the second 'L') who was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.[1][5] The bridge has a main span length of 784 ft (239 m) and a total length of 2,179 ft (664 m).[3][4] The completion of the bridge was the final part of I-64 to be built in West Virginia with Governor Arch Moore opening the bridge at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 15 July 1988.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Heath Harrison (15 December 2013), July 15, 1988 - Opening Of Glade Creek Bridge Marks Completion Of Interstate System In WV, Eyewitness News Online, archived from the original on 10 August 2014, retrieved 8 November 2016, Built at a cost of $29 million ... it is the second highest bridge in the state, the fifth tallest in the nation and the highest on the Interstate Highway System. ... Gov. Arch Moore ... invited the public to a gala grand opening ceremony at the bridge on July 15, 1988. ... Related links: Phil G. McDonald, the Medal of Honor recipient for whom the bridge is named
  2. ^ Janberg, Nicolas (February 5, 2016). "Phil G. McDonald Bridge". structurae.net. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Phil G. McDonald Memorial Bridge Inspection Report" (PDF). West Virginia Division of Highways. September 24, 2004. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Sakowski, Eric (February 24, 2012). "Phil G. McDonald Bridge". Highest Bridges.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  5. ^ Patton, Cathy (February 24, 2012). "Medal of Honor Winner Receives Courthouse Tribute". McDowell County Commission. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2016.


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