Author Topic: TransAmerica Section 11, October 16 2024  (Read 7069 times)

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Offline mfloyd

TransAmerica Section 11, October 16 2024
« on: October 11, 2024, 02:50:10 pm »
TransAmerica Section 11, Map Panel 135.

Highway 58, the Jeb Stuart Highway, is closed between Damascus, VA, and Konnarock, VA, due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. As of October 16, 2024, Route 58 is closed between the intersection of Route 91 at Damascus and Feather Camp Road in the Konnarock area due to a significant road washout along Route 58. 

An 18.5-mile detour is possible via Widener Valley Road and Whitetop Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2opo42mkx4mQNwjy5

The Virginia Creeper Trail sustained severe damage between Damascus and Whitetop and is closed indefinitely.

This post will be updated as information is received.

« Last Edit: November 13, 2024, 10:44:36 am by mfloyd »
Mike Floyd
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Offline Pat Lamb

Re: TransAmerica Section 11 October 2024
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2024, 03:43:56 pm »
Latest I could find, the Creeper is open from Abingdon to Damascus.  Given some of the video I've see of U.S. 58 east of Damascus, I wouldn't count on the Damascus to Whitetop stretch being rideable the rest of the year.

Damascus saw a couple "100 year floods" a month apart back in the spring of 1977.  IIRC the town was back in business by the end of the summer, but the high trestle washed out and it took a couple or three years to get the money and rebuild.  I'm not going to guess how damage of that magnitude would be treated today.

Offline DanE

Re: TransAmerica Section 11 October 2024
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2024, 05:15:32 pm »
According to the Virginia Creeper Trail webpage: https://www.vacreepertrail.org the trail has a great deal of damage between Damascus and White Top. This would be the section that parallels US 58 and would not be an option available to bypass it.

Offline DanE

Re: TransAmerica Section 11, October 16 2024
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2024, 04:16:47 pm »
I found this article with information about the conditions of the Virginia Creeper Trail. There is also a brief paragraph about damages to US 58.

https://cardinalnews.org/2024/10/17/floodwaters-destroyed-18-trestles-on-the-creeper-trail-and-washed-away-much-of-the-path-now-comes-the-rebuilding/