ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A major safety improvement is now in place for one of Virginia’s most popular hiking destinations. The new pedestrian bridge over Route 311 at the McAfee Knob trailhead is officially open, making it a safer summit for hikers.
Excitement fills the air as visitors are among the first to safely cross the brand-new bridge. With over 50,000 hikers flocking to these trails each year, officials identified the $1.5 million bridge as a critical safety enhancement.
Hikers expressed their relief about the new bridge.
“Yeah, we almost just got hit—it was crazy,” one hiker said.
Another added, “Going around this curve, cars are moving fast. Even walking along the shoulder to get here felt dangerous.”
“The speed is just so fast, so now that the bridge is open, it’s a lot easier—and safer, of course,” a third hiker remarked.
The long-awaited bridge was made possible through a partnership between local, state, and federal agencies, along with dedicated volunteers—all coming together to make this project a reality. Roanoke County prioritized this initiative.
Martha Hooker, a representative for the Catawba Magisterial District, shared her experiences. “I would get calls routinely from citizens who would have near misses or people coming across the road being very enthusiastic about coming and hiking and yet having a dangerous mishap,” she said.
But now, that risk is gone.
Jason Bond, a spokesperson for VDOT, noted the community’s enthusiasm. “I think we’ve heard a great deal of interest from so many trail users and folks who are so excited about this bridge. Not only is it going to provide safer access for them to get to the trail, but it’s a beautiful bridge, and I think it’s going to be iconic in this community,” he said.
The parking lot that was closed during construction is now open again, and Roanoke County officials say the shuttle will also continue to run. For those planning a trip to McAfee Knob, you can now start on solid footing.
So, if these hikes have been on your bucket list, the journey just got a whole lot easier and a whole lot safer.
