FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the New River Gorge on Saturday, October 17, for the annual Bridge Day celebration, bringing road closures, parking restrictions and increased traffic to the Fayetteville area.
Bridge Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the New River Gorge Bridge, offering visitors a rare opportunity to walk across the bridge, which normally carries U.S. Route 19 traffic.
Organized by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, the event is one of West Virginia’s largest annual celebrations and is known for BASE jumping, during which approved participants jump from the 876-foot-high bridge into the gorge below.
Visitors can also enjoy food and merchandise vendors while taking in views of the New River Gorge during the fall foliage season.
The National Park Service and Bridge Day organizers have released several reminders for those planning to attend.
U.S. Route 19 across the New River Gorge Bridge will close to vehicle traffic at 7 a.m. Saturday and remain closed until 5 p.m.
Southbound motorists will be directed to use U.S. Route 60 to State Route 16, which returns to Fayetteville. The National Park Service estimates the detour will take approximately 35 to 45 minutes.
Northbound motorists should use State Route 16 to U.S. Route 60.
Drivers should expect increased traffic throughout Fayetteville, Lansing and surrounding areas as visitors arrive and depart.
Visitors are encouraged to use designated parking areas and shuttle transportation rather than attempting to park near the bridge.
According to the official Bridge Day website, park-and-ride shuttles will begin operating at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Six shuttle pickup areas are listed, including Fayette Landing Shopping Center in Oak Hill, Fayetteville Walmart, a Fayetteville school parking area, the Fayette County Courthouse, Smales Branch Road in Hico and Midland Trail High School.
The round-trip shuttle fare is $5. Visitors are encouraged to bring cash and verify their pickup location before traveling.
Shuttles will stop transporting passengers to Bridge Day at 1:30 p.m., but buses will continue returning visitors to parking areas afterward.
Attendees should arrive early and allow additional time for parking, shuttle transportation and walking to the bridge.
The Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking lot and grounds will close at 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 16.
Fayette Station Road, also known as Route 82, will close at its intersection with Lansing Loop Road beginning at 6 p.m. Friday.
The road is expected to reopen sometime after 5 p.m. Saturday.
All private vehicles must be removed from affected areas before the closures take effect.
The National Park Service is also advising private boaters of access restrictions at Fayette Station and Teays Landing.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Fayette Station Road will close to vehicles at Lansing Loop Road. Vehicles remaining parked at Fayette Station after that time will be towed.
On Saturday, private vehicles will not be permitted to drive down to Fayette Station or Teays Landing. Vehicle access will be exit-only.
Boaters who arrange shuttle transportation in advance must exit Fayette Station Road using Burma Road to return to U.S. Route 19.
Admission to Bridge Day is free, although visitors should bring money for food, merchandise and shuttle transportation.
Event rules prohibit pets, coolers, folding chairs, bicycles, skateboards, drones and alcoholic beverages.
Clear bags and small purses meeting event requirements are permitted, while ordinary backpacks and large bags are restricted.
Visitors should prepare for large crowds, significant walking and possible traffic delays. Attendees are also encouraged to dress appropriately for changing October weather.
Bridge Day will take place rain or shine.
Additional information, including event maps, parking locations and transportation updates, is available at OfficialBridgeDay.com.
