Built in 1906 to carry coal, five West Virginia railroad bridges to be restored for hikers

The project began on September 1, 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Minden Trailhead. 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. The 3.2-mile trail runs along the New River and Dunloup Creek and provides views of the historic downtown and community of Thurmond.Five bridges built for coal trainsThe Rend Trail follows an old railroad grade that was built in 1906 to haul coal. Today, the same route is used as a recreational trail and crosses five historic railroad trestles, or bridges.However, more than 100 years of exposure and use have left the wo...