That was the last segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway to open, the so-called missing link. Most of the parkway was a CCC project initially and opened by the end of WWII. The Linn Cove Viaduct was opened to traffic in 1987.
Very novel design and construction method, it was installed from above to avoid destroying the underlying terrain, rock ledges and plants. It hugs the base of Grandfather Mountain.