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Department of Conservation and Recreation
New River Trail State Park
New River Trail State Park is a unique destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The rail trail (PDF) parallels the scenic New River for 39 miles, has 13 access points across four counties and one city, is home to a historic shot tower and offers a range of recreational opportunities.
However, one of the park’s most notable features is the diverse array of trestles that span the New River and its tributaries. Some of them are more than 100 years old and more than 1,000 feet long.
The structures were utilized by Norfolk Southern for many years. Once the corporation donated the 57-mile tract of railroad right-of-away to Virginia State Parks, New River Trail became responsible for their upkeep.
While there’s evidence that Norfolk Southern rebuilt or heavily modified some of the trestles, others were starting to show signs of severe wear and tear. To address the issues, the park launched a multi-phase restoration project in 2023. It was expected to last through the spring of 2025; however, the park experienced significant damage from Hurricane Helene and had to put the project on hold temporarily.
Keep reading to learn more about the project and how it impacts New River Trail users.
New River Trail State Park has more than 30 trestles that allow visitors to walk, bike or horseback ride the whole 57-mile trail without leaving it. Each trestle has a name and varies in length, with the longest being Fries Junction at 1,089 feet, Hiwassee at 951 feet and Ivanhoe at 670 feet.
For the restoration project, Prosim Engineering evaluated and ranked each trestle according to the severity of its condition. The trestles with the most critical structural repair needs were selected and included in the project:
The trestles not included in this project are in relatively good shape and are anticipated to remain in operable condition for many years with appropriate maintenance.
The trestle restoration project is being led by New River Trail State Park and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Planning and Recreation Resources Department. The work itself is being performed by skilled contractors.
Unlike modern design, where you’d expect to see similar designs for adjacent trestles, each of New River Trail’s trestles, for the most part, has a different structural design.
Of the 18 trestles, Dalton is the only one that doesn’t have structural issues. While it needs deck and railing repairs, the remaining 16 trestles either require re-decking, concrete and/or masonry repairs, heavy timber repairs or a combination of all four.
Take a look at the photo below to see the difference between trestles that need concrete, masonry or heavy timber repairs.
(Left) The stone masonry trestle piers at the Ivanhoe River Trestle. (Upper right) The concrete trestle abutments at the Fries Trestle. (Lower right) Heavy timber repairs at Ivanhoe Trestle. Depending on the trestle, the heavy timber repairs can be to the support trestles, the structure of the trestle deck or both.
As with any restoration of an existing structure, especially ones as old as the trestles along New River Trail, there are always surprises.
Most of the unexpected issues on the project have been the advanced deterioration of timber components that were inaccessible and hidden until the project began.
For example, Ivanhoe Trestle caught fire in the 1960s, and some of the burned timber is still in use today. Once crews started clearing dirt and debris, they discovered the timber was in much worse shape than they originally thought.
Sammy Brown Trestle
Depending on the portion of the trail you explore during your time at New River Trail, you may experience a trestle closure. Some of these closures will have re-routes and others will not, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Know before you go and read the latest closure updates at virginiastateparks.gov/new-river-trail.
We know these closures are inconvenient, but, as stewards of history and nature, New River Trail State Park and DCR need to preserve and protect the trestles.
Through regular maintenance and restoration efforts, they ensure that the structures remain safe and accessible for every user — current and future.
Ivanhoe River Trestle
If you’re planning a trip to New River Trail State Park, click here to learn more about the park, its recreation opportunities and overnight accommodations.
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