Virginia Creeper Trail conservancy warns trestle repairs will close long trail section this winter

Lisa Quigley, executive director of the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy, told the Washington County Board of Supervisors Sept. 24 that two trestles on the upper trail—Trestles 30 and 31—require significant structural work that will force closures of trail access above Taylors Valley while repairs are under way.

Quigley said engineers from the U.S. Forest Service and a private firm identified the two trestles as especially compromised and that, because there are no access roads or detours at those sites, “when the closures occur and they will occur, no trail traffic above Taylors Valley will be permitted, period.” She said the conservancy is planning construction activity during a 90-day window starting Dec. 1, with mobilization beginning before that date to allow work through the winter season.

The conservancy asked the board to recall prior support and context: the board previously approved a $387,000 allocation from the county’s ARPA funds toward work on Trestle 31. Quigley described additional costs that emerged after emergency shoring was installed and the U.S. Forest Service requested core sampling; that testing required a specialist drill bit that was delayed in transit. She said the Forest Service transferred about $156,000 from its remaining Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) account to help cover unanticipated testing and shoring costs.

Quigley described the operational constraint at Trestles 30–31: “You’re literally stuck in the middle of the forest. There are no adjoining roads, no way to detour trail traffic …” She added that a portion of the upper trail likely will remain closed during heavy work, a disruption she warned could materially reduce tourist visits to Damascus and harm the regional economy if not handled on a short timetable.

Staff and conservancy officials said they plan to solicit specific bids as a nonprofit sponsor (allowing a faster procurement route) and to limit work to the Dec. 1–March 1 window when possible. Quigley said the conservancy will issue public notices and a signage plan ahead of closures and that the schedule may include intermittent closures and short re-openings depending on progress and weather.

The board received the update; no formal county action on funding beyond previously approved ARPA dollars was taken at the meeting. Staff said they will coordinate public messaging ahead of any closures and follow up with the conservancy on final procurement timing.

Ending: The conservancy plans to mobilize before Dec. 1 and begin concentrated repairs in the winter window; board members asked staff for continuing updates on cost estimates and signage plans so residents and trail users are warned before closures begin.