Details revealed on Virginia Creeper Trail reconstruction

A Dec. 11 groundbreaking, up to 250 workers during the summer months, newly-designed bridges and a Fall 2026 completion highlight some of the $240.5 million project to restore the devastated eastern half of the Virginia Creeper Trail.On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Kiewit introduced itself to the community at an event at Holston High School. Town Manager Chris Bell and Kiewit Project Manager Luke Silvus gave a media briefing on the project before speaking to a packed public town meeting at 6 p.m.This comes two weeks after the U.S. Forest Service awarded the $240,580,432.12 contract to the Kiewit Corporation, headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, to repair the 18.1-mile Virginia Creeper Trail segment from the Caboose in Damascus to Whitetop Mountain. The western half of the trail from Damascus to Abingdon is open.Silvus said he will be the boots-on-ground manager every day, and the work has already begun.In total, there are 17 slope failures and 33 bridges to be repaired or rebuilt along the 18.1-mile stretch. Silvus said the project is to be done by Fall 2026.Bell said as soon as Kiewit won the project, they reached out to the town and shared how they could best help the community. One example will be Blue Blaze, a Damascus-based bike rental and shuttle service, shuttling workers up to the sites, helping to minimize traffic.Silvus spoke on Kiewit's emphasis on safety and quality, its "experienced and dedicated management teams," and how there are already team members on the ground, such as environmental scientists, to conduct early design exploration and foundation core drilling before full demolition."We work all around here in the local region," Silvus said. "That does set us up, though, for a project like this where we can come running with all that vast equipment, resources and people that we have in a pool together to tackle a project like this."Kiewit has broken the project up into eight segments, divided by access points, which are already in place, and run two headings per section. The access points are on Mountain City Road, Iron Trestle Bridge No. 18, Straight Branch, Taylor's Valley, Creek Junction, Callahan Crossing, Green Cove Station and Whitetop Station. Kiewit said some of the worst-damaged parts of the trail are in Taylor's Valley toward Whitetop Mountain.In total, Kiewit plans to have up to 170 workers and 80 staff working on the Virginia Creeper Trail during the peak of construction. Crews will work only during the daytime, six days a week, with the seventh day built in as a make-up day due to weather.Currently, around 50 workers are in the area, plus designers working remotely. Subcontract bids are being worked out and will be issued in the coming weeks."We are also getting a lot of folks reaching out to us," Silvus said of subcontractor interest.Silvus shared renderings of the new bridges, which will keep the existing columns and have a lifespan of 50-70 years. There will be a smaller number of piers on each bridge, as it was noted that some Helene damage was caused by debris getting lodged in the piers.These bridges will be slightly elevated more than the previous bridges, Silvus said, but the trail will follow the same route.Bridge No. 20, just outside of Damascus, will be an "iconic structure," Silvus said, as the U.S. Forest Service wants something so people can drive by and know they're on the trail."We believe this will become one of the most photographed places on the trail," Silvus said.One of the challenges once spring comes will be safety, including keeping civilians off the closed trail. Bell said the town will help with that, through local law enforcement working with the U.S. Forest Service."Let's stay off the trail for the safety of [the public] and our safety as well as our construction workers," Silvus said.Bell said local first responder groups will conduct emergency drills to help reach workers in the event of an incident during construction.As the project ramps up, Kiewit and Damascus will launch a public information website about the project, which is to be updated "every couple of weeks," Kiewit Senior Manager of Media and PR Teresa Shada said.The groundbreaking is currently scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, likely in Damascus in the park. More information is to come.Speaking on Kiewit's experience, Silvus said they repaired many local bridges in Erwin over the Nolichucky River and rebuilt I-40 in Pigeon Gorge, both projects a result of the Helene floodwaters.Officials from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest National Parks remind the public that the following closures are in effect:Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, Forest Service Trail (FST) 4575, from the Appalachian Trail steps on Highway 58 east of Damascus to the North Carolina state line just past Whitetop StationAppalachian Trail from Highway 58 at Straight Branch Trailhead to Grassy Ridge Road/VA 859 (Northbound miles 476.6.0 to 485.8)Whitetop Laurel Fishing Trail (FST 4645)Taylors Valley Spur (FST 4651)Creek Junction TrailheadStraight Branch TrailheadWhitetop Station Parking Lot and TrailheadGreen Cove Parking Lot and Facility