By Chris Stadelman

The Parsons Advocate

The city of Parsons plans to apply for a $100,000 grant – $20,000 of which would have to come from the city – to fix the old railroad bridge across the Shavers Fork River.  City Administrator Jason Myers told council about the grant application during the Dec. 11 meeting. The money, if secured, would come from the state Division of Highways “Recreational Trails Program.”

According to the application, the city would replace the deck and make structural repairs so the span could be used as part of the bike trail through town. City Attorney Pat A. Nichols successfully filed a quit-claim deed to secure ownership of the bridge.

The city has filed an “intent to apply” for the grant to find out whether the project meets basic requirements. If it does, a full application would be due Feb. 15.

According to the initial summary, “This project will convert an existing abandoned railroad trestle located in Parsons into a safe and usable pedestrian and bicycle passage over Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. The completed project would become part of the existing Allegheny Highlands Trail that starts in Elkins and runs north to Parsons and then continuing on to Hendricks.

“The current trestle structure is an extreme safety hazard for the community,” according to the application. “Currently, a temporary fence has been placed around the trestle to keep residents from playing around the hazard. However, city officials have reported that the fence does not keep curious children from playing in and around the area, creating a huge liability for the city of Parsons.”

Renovations would include 240 feet of wood decking and hand railing, and some structural repairs would be necessary.

 Comments from Chair Karen Carper:

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Parsons Acquires Railroad Bridge!

Highlands Trail Foundation has long hoped that Parsons would take the lead in making the Western Maryland Railroad bridge in the heart of town part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail. We salute Parsons Mayor Bill Rosenau and the city council for taking the steps to acquire the bridge and pursue funding for repairs and decking. The addition of the bridge will not only increase the trail's historic significance, but will also make a safer route for trail users to cross the the Shavers Fork River.   HTF will be happy to help the city in any way we can.   Way to go, Parsons!"