Park Project Page

An aerial view of the Paw Paw Tunnel boardwalk, following completion of the rock scaling portion of the project

NPS Photo

Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Scaling and Pinning Project

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal) is conducting a rock scaling project along the towpath at the northern or downstream portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel (Mile 155.2).

Go to our Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Scaling and Pinning Project page for more information on the project and its scope.

 

 

The Great Falls Tavern area, including the re-watered canal after repairs to the waste weir (shown in the bottom right corner).

NPS Photo | Joe Reed

Repair Watered Structures Locks 5-22 Project

Construction began in December 2017. As of April 2020, all detours have been removed and only punchlist items remain to complete the project. Project work focused on eight different areas between Little Falls and Swains Lock.

Work took place at the following areas in the Palisades District of the C&O Canal: Swains Lock (MP 16.9 Breach), Great Falls Tavern (Level #20 and Lock #19), Olmsted Island (Lock #18 and Lock #17), Carderock (Culvert #15), Lock #10 (Rock Run Culvert) and Level #7.

These improvements will help the park's historic structures withstand impacts from Potomac River floods and make the features easier to maintain. For more information about the project, visit the Repair Watered Structures Locks 5-22 Project page.

 

Newly resurfaced section of towpath at the Monocacy Aqueduct in Montgomery County.

NPS Photo

Towpath Resurfacing Project

Visitors will see towpath resurfacing taking place throughout the park over the course of five to ten years. These improvements will create a smoother, safer visit for the park's nearly 5 million annual visitors. For more information and current work areas, please visit our Towpath Resurfacing Project page.

 

Little Tonoloway bridge in February 2020

NPS Photo | Joe Reed

Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp Vehicle Access

A 2019 bridge inspection by the Federal Highway Administration/Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA/EFL) found the vehicle and pedestrian bridge at Little Tonoloway Recreation Day Use Area in Hancock, Maryland was in an unsafe condition for vehicular traffic. Due to the unsafe condition of the bridge, the National Park Service made the decision to close the bridge to vehicle access. Construction is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2020.

For more information about the project, visit the Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp Vehicle Access Project Page.