The project began on September 1, 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Minden Trailhead.
The project began on September 1, 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Minden Trailhead, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Because it became too unsafe for people to cross, one of the main bridges has been closed for several years.
Structural risks caused by the ageing infrastructure have resulted in partial closures along the trail, according to the NPS. The restoration will remove the existing wooden bridges and replace them with durable aluminium tread, according to Acting Superintendent Eric LaPrice. The NPS said it will also repair key retaining walls and resurface the trail. So it’s a connection to the community,” LaPrice said.
The project is being funded through the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund. The National Park Foundation and Friends of New River Gorge joined the NPS for the event. The project is not limited to the bridges. The path will also be rerouted around Big Rock, where the existing terrain has made access difficult. “The trail was partially closed, so it wasn’t a through trail. Now, when this work is done, it’s going to be a through trail again. It’s going to connect to another area of the park and it’s going to connect to the trails that the community has here.
Paul Coussan, vice president of government relations for the National Park Foundation, said efforts are under way to extend the programme. “We have a lot of support in Congress right now on the America the Beautiful Act, which would take this great program that was created back in 2020, the Legacy Restoration Fund, and extend it for another five years,” Coussan said. “So we’re really working to get that done.”
The NPS said spending by visitors to the park generated an estimated $95.5 million for the local economy in 2024. The restoration is also expected to support tourism in the surrounding area.