Breaks, VA. –  The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority awarded an up to $433,000 grant to Breaks Interstate Park to be used for infrastructure and improvements at the park.

Among the plans for the grant funds is the construction of an approximately 725-foot pedestrian swinging bridge across the Russell Fork gorge from the Virginia side of the park to the Kentucky side of the park. The bridge, when complete, will be the longest pedestrian swinging bridge in North America, according to park officials, who noted the bridge will also connect the park’s trails to the Pine Mountain Trail.

In addition to VCEDA funds, the park has $326,000.00 in committed funds for the bridge project from several other sources. Once all the funding for the project is in place, construction on the swinging bridge is expected to begin. The timeline calls for construction of the bridge next fall with a planned 2021 opening.

For more information about this exciting project and more improvements at the Breaks Interstate Park, check out this article published by the Bristol Herald Courier.