The viaduct was built to minimize the damage that a traditional cut-and-fill road would have caused to Grandfather Mountain.
Supported by seven massive pillars, the viaduct almost floats in the air without disturbing the land below.
To eliminate damage to the environment, no access roads were built for transporting heavy equipment on the ground.
Exposed rock was covered to prevent staining from concrete, epoxy, or grout.
The only trees cut were those directly beneath the superstructure.
A key factor in this controversy was environmental concern.
In this case, the cantilever was the road itself.
The contractors developed a special heating system to heat joints for the work to continue through the winter.
The bridge was completed in November 1987 at a final cost of $10 million.
Since then, bridge has received eleven design awards.
Sources:Wikipedia,Averycounty,Highcountryparkway
