Bridge Deck Replacement Project: Historic Tunney Hunsaker Bridge
Work is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, to replace the deck on the historic Tunney Hunsaker Bridge, located on County Route 82 (Fayette Station Road). The construction window is expected to run through Friday, March 28, 2025. The project was originally slated to begin on January 6 but was delayed due to inclement weather.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bridge Name | Tunney Hunsaker Bridge |
| Location | County Route 82 (Fayette Station Road), Fayette County |
| Start Date | 8:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025 |
| Estimated Completion | Friday, March 28, 2025 |
| Project Scope | Bridge deck replacement |
Historical Background
Originally constructed in 1889, the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge holds the distinction of being the first bridge built across the New River in the New River Gorge. It initially served to connect the local mining communities of Fayette and South Fayette.
- 1977: Following the opening of the high-span New River Gorge Bridge, the modest lower-gorge bridge was closed to vehicular traffic.
- 1997: Driven by a significant rise in local tourism, the structure was completely rebuilt and successfully reopened to motorists.
The Story Behind the Name
In 1998, the span was officially renamed to honor Tunney Hunsaker, a longtime Fayetteville police chief with a unique place in sports history. Before his career in law enforcement, Hunsaker was a professional boxer and served as Muhammad Ali’s very first opponent in Ali's professional debut on October 29, 1960. Ali won the six-round bout by unanimous decision.
The two fighters maintained a lifelong friendship. Decades after their historic match, Muhammad Ali visited Fayetteville in 1997 to personally celebrate Hunsaker’s retirement from the police force.
