Tunnel repair on the former North Carolina Branch

[NW Mailing List]

Looks like the Old Chestnut Creek Tunnel on the old North Carolina Branch, is getting spruced up a bit by the New River trail folks. This tunnel had been getting really "ratty" over the years, on the timber side of it, several boards where missing, and on the inside, their had been lots of shoring up of the big beams.

http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?055+article+News+20091130093823055055002

Andy J

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Portion of trail closed until spring

By CHRISTOPHER BROOKE

A three-mile section of the New River Trail State Park near Gambetta will remain closed for 150 days for safety work on the former rail line tunnel there. 

The closure effects the portion of the linear state park from Fries Junction at mile marker 39.8 to Gambetta Road at 42.3 until May 1 of next year, according to park officials. 

This work arose from the issuance in 2002 of a general obligation bond by the state to repair bridges and tunnels on the New River Trail, explained Jimmy Elliott, the park's assistant manager based at Cliffview. 

Specialists examined parts of the trail and found that the time had come for maintenance on the tunnel. 

"There's some wooden beams in there that has some signs of rot, I guess you would say, or weathering," Elliott explained. 

Plus, there's a wooden face on the north side of the tunnel that needs replacing. 

Workers will also scale loose rock back and install a wire mesh meant to catch falling pieces, he added. "We've never had a problem in that tunnel anyway with anything falling." 

But the idea is to be proactive. "We're taking care of these issues before they present a significant safety issue to the public." 

The contract, awarded to Hillsville company DLB, allows for 150 days to complete the work, Elliott said. Park officials purposefully scheduled this maintenance for the time of year when the trail has the least amount of users. 

Barricades have gone up on this portion of the trail and it has been turned over to the contractor to do the work. 

For those who want to continue using the trial, park officials suggest this detour: From the Gambetta Road crossing traveling south on the trail, take a right onto Gambetta Road. Travel approximately three miles to Iron Ridge Road and take a right. Go approximately three miles to Fries Road and take a right, then follow the signs to the Fries access, about 4.5 miles
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