Cunard Road Delays and Closure

Date: July 26, 2007
Contact: Lorrie Sprague, 304 465-6521

"The entire length of the Cunard Road near Fayetteville is being widened to accommodate two-way traffic," said Don Striker, Superintendent of New River Gorge National River. "The road is heavily used by buses and private vehicles during the summer paddling season, and the steeper sections of this road have deteriorated."

Construction will begin on August 1, 2007. Although flagmen will be present to direct traffic, people planning to drive into Cunard should anticipate short delays.

"The National Park Service (NPS) has contracted with Ahern and Associates of St. Albans, WV to rehabilitate and reconstruct this single lane, gravel road into a paved, two lane access road to the Cunard River Access site," explained Striker.

During the final phase of the project, beginning November 1, 2007, the Cunard Road will be closed to all traffic, including vehicles, hikers and bicyclists, 7-days per week and will remain closed until March 1, 2008.