The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park are two of the most popular attractions in Canon City Colorado. The Royal Gorge Bridge hangs 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River, making it the highest suspension bridge in the world. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad run under the Royal Gorge Bridge, along the banks of the Royal Gorge, which is a 10-mile canyon with a 50 feet wide base and a depth of 1200 feet.
The Royal Gorge Bridge is 880 feet and18 feet wide. It has a wooden walkway consisting of over 1000 planks. The Colorado Royal Gorge Bridge is suspended from towers that are 150 feet high. In November of 1929, the Royal Gorge Bridge was constructed as a one-lane toll bridge. The Colorado Royal Gorge Bridge is listed in the Register of Historic Places.
If you are taking a Colorado family vacation, a trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park should definitely be part of your agenda. The rides are appealing for both children and adults. Check out the aerial tram that glides over 1,100 feet above the canyon floor. The Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park was built in 1931. It travels at a 45-degree angle, and is considered to be the world's steepest railway. Daredevils will want to take part in the Go Fast games, which feature three days of bungee jumping. The Royal Gorge is also a popular destination for Colorado whitewater rafting.
Once you have enjoyed the exciting attractions in the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, you may find yourself curious about the uniquely interesting history of the Royal Gorge Bridge. The history of the Royal Gorge Bridge dates back to 1907, when the federal government deeded Royal Gorge to the town of Canon City Colorado for use as a municipal park. To enhance the park's popularity as a Colorado tourist attraction, a bridge was needed in order to cross the Royal Gorge.
The first part of the project was building the concrete abutments that served as bases for the steel towers, which support the main suspension cables. The crushed rock used to create these structures was produced on the work site from granite excavated from trenches in the canyon. When the concrete bases were completed, the construction of the steel towers began.
Once the tower construction was finished, half inch steel cables were lowered from each side of the canyon. Then, the ends were spliced and the cable was pulled up to the top. Although many inexperienced laborers worked on the Royal Gorge Bridge, despite the risk involved in the project, it was completed in seven months without fatality or incident. Today, a visit to the Royal Gorge Bridge provides an opportunity to explore history and experience the wonders of Colorado's natural and man made attractions.
