Construction to Begin on Byron Bridge Stairway

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. - The National Park Service will begin construction on a new stairway connecting the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge (Byron Bridge) to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath at mile 60.6.

At the start of the project, the bridge and stairway will close briefly while crews build a temporary stairwell. This closure will begin on September 22 and run for approximately two weeks (weather dependent). During that time, a shuttle will run between C&O Canal Lock 34 and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center.

Once open, the temporary stairs will keep visitors connected between C&O Canal Lock 33 and Harpers Ferry's lower town for the duration of construction.

The existing stairway, in place since 1987, is narrow, difficult for two-way traffic, and challenging for people with bicycles. Flooding has weakened the nearby historic stone revetment, and the towpath often washes out during high water.

The new stairway will make this high-traffic trail connection safer and easier to use. Features include a wider tread surface, a bike ramp, deep foundations to withstand river scour, and slope stabilization to prevent erosion during floods.

The towpath will remain open throughout the project, giving visitors uninterrupted access.

-NPS-

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