Gateway Arch - St. Louis, Missouri
Gateway Arch - St. Louis, Missouri
Regardless of which way you come into St. Louis you will see the outstanding national monument, the Arch. This is the tallest national monument in the United States standing 630 ft tall. This carenary curved structure is considered the most structurally sound arch shape possible.
There are 900 tons of stainless steel in the arch with a weight of 17,246 lbs. It cost $13 million to build and another $3.5 million for transportation system costs. There could be no more than a 1/64th inch margin of error as to where the constructed legs would meet in order to assure the safety of the arch. The Arch sways a maximum of 18" (9" each way) in a 150 mile per hour wind. The usual sway is 1/2".
