West Virginia's 1906 coal bridges are being rebuilt for hikers for $11.8m
West Virginia is launching an $11.8 million restoration project to repair five historic 1906 railroad bridges along the Rend Trail. The project aims to replace aging wooden structures with durable aluminum and improve overall trail accessibility for hikers.
Why it matters
This initiative preserves historic infrastructure while promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in the New River Gorge region.
Five railroad bridges built in 1906 to carry coal through West Virginia’s New River Gorge are getting a new purpose more than a century later. An $11.8 million restoration project is now under way to repair the bridges and reopen the historic trail for visitors.According to the National Park Service (NPS), the project began on September 1, 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Minden Trailhead. 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 restoration is focused on the Rend Trail, formerly known as the Thurmond-Minden Trail.
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