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WVDOH Provides Eastern WV with New Bike Trail
The Western Maryland Railway bed through eastern West Virginia will soon be back in business. But, this time it won't be carrying train cars. It will be serving hikers and cyclists from all parts of the state and across the eastern United States.
As part of their "Rails to Trails" initiative and the construction of Corridor H, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) has begun the process of transforming the existing railroad bed into a mountain biking path complete with parking areas, restroom facilities and walking trails.
According to the WVDOH, millions of tourists come to West Virginia each year to visit state parks, see historic sites and take advantage of the various outdoor activities that West Virginia has to offer. This generates over four billion dollars in sales and employs thousands of residents. Fifteen percent of tourists visit West Virginia specifically to hike or ride on many of the state's scenic bike paths.
The "Rails to Trails" program provides cyclists of all degrees with countless options for riding in the Mountain State, helping to give West Virginia an advantage over other states for tourist vacation destinations.
"In addition to the safe and reliable highways that the WVDOH provides, we create bike paths, like the Western Maryland Railway Trail, for the benefit of residents and tourists," said State Highway Engineer Joe Deneault. "Our trails are just one more way that the WVDOH helps to further the tourism industry in West Virginia," he said.
The first sections of the trail will be constructed from Parsons to Montrose and from Montrose to Elkins. Together, they will extend about 20 miles, creating almost a 1.5 million-dollar investment in the state.
The contracts will likely be awarded early next week. Stay tuned to this web site for more information on the Western Maryland Railroad bike path.
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