The next phase of the Dick and Willie Passage in Henry County will get underway in July, the county has announced.
Once the additional 1.75 miles is constructed, there will be approximately 9.5 miles of paved trail along the former railroad passage.
“The Dick and Willie Passage is an absolute gem for our community and we couldn’t be more excited to start Phase 6A of the project,” said Henry County Administrator Tim Hall in a statement. “Projects like these don’t happen overnight. Our Board of Supervisors and community partners deserve credit for having the fortitude to see it to its completion.”
Henry County was joined by the Harvest Foundation and the Virginia Department of Transportation in funding the latest portion of the project.
Inland Construction Inc., based out of Abingdon was awarded the contract to begin construction in the amount of $1,902,470. The bid will extend the route from the end of the existing trail at Mulberry Creek down alongside the creek. Funding options are currently being explored for the remaining 0.9 miles of Phase 6A which will cross Mulberry Creek and Spruce Street to connect with Phase 6B.
Following the completion of Phase 6A, the Dick and Willie Passage will be nearly 11 miles of paved trail from Virginia Avenue to the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton.
There is a potential that the section of the existing trail from Fisher Street to Mulberry Creek will need to be closed during construction. In the event of a closure, barriers and signs will be posted.
Construction is expected to be completed by June 2023.