Pipeline trail in Richmond is closed
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Pipeline trail access near the Canal Walk. Photo: Fadel Allassan/Axios
Richmond's Pipeline Trail is closed and padlocked to bar public access.
Why it matters: The trail is popular with locals for its scenic views of the James River rapids and easy access to Brown's Island from Shockoe Slip.
- Plus, atop the trail, one can get an up close look at the critical pipe that failed last month and dumped raw sewage into the river.
State of play: The portion of the trail has been closed "for the safety of residents and contractors" since the city started repairing the pipe, parks department spokesperson Tamara Jenkins tells Axios.
- It'll remain closed until repairs are complete.
- Repairs, including inflatable plugs, epoxy and steel plate patches, are nearly complete, a spokesperson for DPU tells Axios.
- The city still needs to add plates to the bottom of the pipe to prevent river water from entering; that will be done once river levels lower. A timeline wasn't available.
Yes, but: A photo that widely circulated over the weekend suggested the repairs were less "steel plate patches" and more "two-dozen ratchet straps and I hope this works."
- The straps can be seen in part from outside the locked gate
Go deeper: Richmond considering permanently closing Pipeline Trail