Environment Matters - Popular Rail Trail Repairs Underway

The only traffic for now on a one mile section of the popular West Fork River Rail Trail near Shinnston is from dump trucks and heavy earth moving equipment. The project to address safety hazards from abandoned mines along the trail hit a snag when water trapped inside one of the mines blew out, causing a significant landslide and closing the trail. A new wall system is being installed to stabilize the hillside and work continues to dewater the former mines. Work is expected to be finished and the trail repaved and reopened by the end of summer.