This release was received via
e-mail 1/17/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
INFORMATION: Tim Eling
276-783-5196
Forest Service to Temporarily Close Part of
Virginia Creeper Trail
(Marion, Virginia-January 16) The Forest Service will be temporarily closing a
short section of the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail for eight weeks
beginning on Monday, January 28, so that Bridge #21, which was destroyed in a
flood last July, can be rebuilt. The trail will be closed from the Straight
Branch parking lot near Damascus downstream to Bridge #20. The trail may be back
in full operation as early as March 25 if the weather remains favorable.
The contract calls for the work to be completed within eight weeks,
however severe conditions such as snow, ice, or high water, could extend this
time, according to Tim Eling of the Forest Service. “Howard Contracting, which
is doing the project, has done bridge and trestle repair work for us in the
past,” said Eling, “and we have been very satisfied with both the quality and
timeliness of their work.”
The temporary bridge constructed by the Forest Service must be
removed to make way for the new permanent structure.
Local bicycle shops and shuttle services have been advised of this
temporary closure and are cooperating to keep most of the trail operating
normally. As they did last summer before the temporary bridge was constructed,
shuttle operators will be picking people up at the Straight Branch parking lot
and ferrying them on into Damascus. The ride will be included in the regular
price for shuttle customers. Non-customers will be transported for a fee.
“The contractor will have materials and equipment on the trail and
in the Straight Branch parking lot,” said Tim Eling. “We apologize for any
inconvenience that this or the trail closure might have, but we’re delighted
that the permanent replacement bridge is going to be in place before the spring
and summer season. We’re asking the public to bear with us and stay out of the
contractor’s way as much as possible.”
The 120-foot span of bridge #21 was washed out by high water on the
morning of Sunday, July 29, due to flood debris becoming trapped against the
upstream supports of the bridge.
For current information or a construction update, call the Forest
Service at 1-800-628-7202. For shuttle information, call Blue Blaze Shuttle, The
Bike Station, or Adventure Damascus, all located in Damascus. The shuttle
providers also have links on the Town of Damascus web page.
-END-
PLEASE NOTE: THE CREEPER
TRAIL IS NOT CLOSED. Also, check out the Abingdon alternative if you want an
uninterrupted ride.
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