Josh Maddux, left, and John Martin of M.P. Dory Contractors work on drilling holes for a new wood fence along the recently paved section of the Parkersburg Ohio River Trail that has been extended north from Point Park in Parkersburg. They expect to be done with the work this week. (Photo by Art Smith)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Ohio River Trail is nearing its completion.

The long-in-development $1.5 million project is a trail extension from Point Park north. The trail already had half a mile of trail from the amphitheater in Point Park to the Pond Run outfall. From there the new extension goes another 2.6 miles up to the city limits just south of the Grand Central Mall.

“We basically will have a three-mile trail along the Ohio River,” said Parkersburg Finance Director Ryan Barber. “We are getting extremely close (to completion).”

Barber said the project was predominantly grant-funded with a 80-20 split between the West Virginia Division of Highways and the city with Barber saying the city has kicked in around 30% of the budget.

Contractor Alan Stone Construction has been working on the project for the last several months. They have been working on building a 44-foot concrete bridge to carry cyclists and pedestrians across Pond Run on the river side of Parkersburg’s floodwall.

The new bridge over Pond Run is completed except for railings that should be installed soon as part of the Parkersburg Ohio River Trail. The trail already had half a mile of trail from the amphitheater in Point Park to the Pond Run outfall where the bridge is being completed. From there the new extension goes another 2.6 miles up to the city limits just south of the Grand Central Mall. (Photo by Art Smith)

“We are extremely excited about the project,” Barber said. “It has been one of the longest projects that we have had in the pipeline, going back several years.

“We are happy to finally be at the end of this project.”

The bridge at Pond Run has been one of the biggest hurdles for the project in getting it designed with the Army Corps of Engineers.

“This project has spanned multiple administrations and departments,” Barber said. “Most projects of this size factor in a lot of different people.

“I want to highlight that a lot of good work went into this project with a lot of different people. We want to appreciate their efforts to see this long-term project come to fruition.”

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said once the trail is fully open and operational it will provide the area with new recreational opportunities.

“It will basically give the city three miles of park land for people to enjoy,” he said. “It is very exciting.”

Joyce said city officials are discussing maintenance and mowing that will need to be done along the trail “to keep it safe and usable.”

An official opening date has not been announced yet as there are still a number of things that need to be completed before the trail will be open to the public.

Joyce said he knows the bridge is getting close to being done, but he has not been told a date when the trail will be ready to open for the public.

Ways will be explored with other local agencies to see if the trail can continue north to Vienna and possibly Williamstown eventually through organizations like the Wood County Alternative Transportation Council, the Wood-Washington-Wirt (WWW) Interstate Planning Commission and others.

“We would work with our regional partners to explore continuing the trail north,” Barber said, adding it will take a lot of work and commitment to doing it.

The current project has been in the works for years.

“Parkersburg has an incredible opportunity to provide a beautiful trail with great views on the Ohio River,” Barber said. “A lot of folks want more options for walking and biking.

“What better location in the city than Point Park? You can get on at Point Park and walk three miles and back. We think it is a great location and a lot of people are really excited about it.”