Caption
New River Gorge Bridge (2011)
Number
4511
Prompt
The sun in the illustration could slowly set, changing the colors of the sky. Tiny car headlights could appear and travel across the bridge. The reflection of the bridge in the water below could have a gentle ripple effect.
Body
The New River Gorge Bridge stamp, with a face value of $4.95, was issued in Fayetteville, West Virginia. The digital illustration by Dan Cosgrove depicts the bridge at sunset. This steel arch bridge spans 3,030 feet and was, at the time of its construction, the world's longest single-span steel arch bridge. It stands 876 feet above the New River, making it a popular spot for BASE jumping, particularly on "Bridge Day," an annual festival that celebrates this architectural feat. The bridge is a significant landmark within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and has become a symbol of West Virginia's rugged beauty and modern engineering.