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Harpers Ferry is a historic West Virginia city and international tourist hub. But four years ago the national park and surrounding town were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A bridge commemorating a village settled in Summers County in 1772, is being replaced. But the project is providing more than just a new bridge for vehicle traffic.
The Project
Andy Powell, District 9 Project Engineer for the West Virginia Division Highways says the bridge needed to be replaced for safety and financial reasons.
The height and weight limits are set for trucks during the 1950’s. Powell points out that trucks are larger these days. The new bridge will be stronger and be able to carry heavier loads.
The $29 million project will also give a boost to the recreational community. The material that’s being taken basically off a mountain to widen the road will be relocated to help provide a wider boating dock area. The current lake access off of route 20 is said to have a steep angle that’s tough to navigate.
The 1200 feet long bridge is expected to open to traffic by summer of 2015, completion of the whole project is set for completion by June 30, 2016.
Bridging History
The existing Lilly Bridge was built in 1950. The bridge was built around the same time as the Bluestone Dam when about 50 families were forced to move because the federal government worried that the creation of the dam would flood the Village of Lilly, hence the name the Lilly Bridge.
According to the Lilly Family History records, Lilly was a Village at the Bluestone and Little Bluestone Rivers in Summers County settled in 1772.
“It was said that they came here with a rifle, a bible and an ax to settle this rugged area,” National Park Ranger Teena Lilly said in the West Virginia Public Broadcasting documentary “Three Rivers”.
“The graves were exhumed, families were moved, and homes were torn down because they believed that Lilly would be under water.”
Very little remains of the actual village since the Federal Government forced residents off the land. The family is left with the bridge and a monument to remember their homeland. The new bridge will keep the Lilly name.
Harpers Ferry is a historic West Virginia city and international tourist hub. But four years ago the national park and surrounding town were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this West Virginia Morning, tourists from around the world visit Harpers Ferry each year to immerse themselves in U.S. history. But the number of visitors fell in 2020, as public health restrictions ramped up nationwide. Jack Walker visited the town to learn how things have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. On this episode, host Kathy Mattea welcomes GRAMMY-winning Australian rock star Colin Hay, Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn, legendary folk and country artist Ramblin' Jack Elliott, San Francisco rocker Chuck Prophet and his band The Make Out Quartet, and folk duo The Lucky Valentines.
Across the nation, there are more and more local news deserts; communities with no local newspaper, television or radio station to cover what’s going on. When a small town paper like The Welch News in McDowell County, WV, can’t compete and shuts down, losing those local eyes and ears can affect accountability. No one is there to watch over things. Local news also provides a sense of cohesion and identity for a community. What happens when it’s gone? This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center.