McAfee Trailhead to Get Bridge

[Laurie Foot]

A $2.3 million highway safety grant has been approved by the Virginia Dept. of Transportation for a pedestrian bridge that would be completed by 2024, according to Andrew Downs, a regional director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The pedestrian bridge would be built over Route 311, connecting the parking area to the A.T., heading to McAfee Knob. Downs said, besides the bridge, there are other possible improvements, including the future purchase of an adjacent piece of property and a redesign of the trailhead parking lot.

With the pedestrian bridge moving forward, the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and Appalachian Trail Conservancy decided to start a public fundraising campaign to purchase 7-acres of land at the intersection of Route 311 and Old Catawba Road, just south of where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway. Organizers hope to raise $200,000 by the end of the year. If they are successful in buying the land, it would be donated to the National Park Service or another entity that would incorporate it into the trailhead area. Acquisition of the 7-acre tract of land is a key component of a $300,000 study by the National Park Service, which is considering improvements to the gravel parking area. This could include paving the lot, constructing a building that would include bathrooms and erecting signs. The ATC invites supporters of McAfee Knob and the A.T. to help complete this project by making a donation at appalachiantrail.org/mcafee.

A public information meeting on the pedestrian bridge project is being scheduled for this summer. The final date for this meeting and more information about this project will be posted at appalachiantrail.org/mcafeeknobproject.