21-03-2025
U.S Sen. Tim Kaine receives update on Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus
DAMASCUS, Va. (WJHL)—Steady progress is being made on repairing the Virginia Creeper Trail and state roads in the Town of Damascus.
On Friday morning, town and forest officials updated United States Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Kaine returned to Damascus to see firsthand the work being done on the Creeper Trail. However, damage made portions of the trail inaccessible for months.
'I saw today what I hadn't seen before because I couldn't get up there before, which is the damage along the trail up Route 58 along the Creeper,' Kaine said.
The Virginia Department of Transportation's work made access to Route 58 possible. However, the rest of Route 58 must be completed before further trail work can be done.
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'The key to it is to get [Route] 58 reopened,' Kaine said. 'Because without 58 open, you don't have access to some of the parts of the trail to get them repaired or even to remove debris.'
Kaine's dedication to the trail helped lead to a trail restoration package, which U.S. Forest Service officials said has been used well.
'The dollars need to know,' Kaine said. 'That was the main question I had when I came today, 'Are they flowing?' And what we heard today was good news, that the challenges going ahead are less about dollars flowing than just about [how] there's just so much work to do and which piece do you do first.'
Damascus Mayor Katie Lamb said Kaine's dedication to the trail and the town has been vital to its recovery.
'He's always so kind and caring,' Lamb said. 'It's just really great to get the publicity and the attention that we need to get the Creeper Trail and 58 back.'
The U.S. Forest Service said they're also grateful for the support of Kaine and other Government officials.
'That support has been tremendous and continues to be,' said Edward Wright, Area Ranger for the Mt. Rodgers National Recreation Area. 'And will continue in the future, of course.'
VDOT said they hope to have Route 58 complete in May, just in time for Damascus Trail Days.
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