NKyTribune staff
Newport Aquarium celebrated a milestone Thursday with the two-millionth crossing on Shark Bridge.
Rory Maynard, 8, of Monroe, Ohio, Thursday became the 2 millionth person to cross Shark Bridge at Newport Aquarium (provided photo).
Congratulations to the Maynard family from Monroe, Ohio. Rory Maynard, 8, was looking forward to visiting today, and was surprised to hear he was the 2-millionth crosser.
Shark Bridge is the world’s first suspended rope bridge where guests can walk just inches above more than two dozen sharks, shark rays and other ocean animals. This V-shaped rope bridge is 75-feet long and is suspended over the open water of the 385,000 gallon Surrounded by Sharks exhibit. Shark Bridge is included with admission or annual pass.
About Shark Bridge
Shark Bridge crosses over Newport Aquarium’s Shark Tank Overlook, one of the country’s largest open air tank displays, allowing guests two unique ways to view the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.
For those who prefer steady ground, you can walk along the top edge of the tank and see how many of the more than a dozen sharks, four exotic shark rays, three stingrays and more than 300 fish you can count. If you’re lucky you might catch Denver the loggerhead sea turtle as he comes to the surface to take a breath.
Shark Bridge Facts:
- It took nearly 1,000 labor hours for fabrication, building and installation.
- Shark Bridge is constructed of more than 4 miles of rope and approximately 1.5 tons of steel.
- With the addition of the Shark Bridge and the expanded floor space, Newport Aquarium has tripled the guest viewing area at the Shark Tank Overlook.
The Maynard family say they couldn’t think of a better way to spend Spring Break. Rory Maynard says he wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up.
Newport Aquarium has showcased thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water since 1999. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.
