Appalachian Trail Improvements | Damascus, VA

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is seeking a qualified contractor to replace an existing timber staircase at the US 58/Appalachian Trail crossing with a new stone staircase, along with associated rock armoring, retaining work, drainage improvements, a culvert installation, and a short gravel connector trail. The project also includes construction of a second staircase using black locust logs on a separate section of the Appalachian Trail south of the Iron Mountain Trail intersection.

The work is funded and administered through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service. Construction must be completed by December 2026, with the Appalachian Trail remaining open to hikers during construction except for brief intermittent closures. The project is intended to improve trail durability, user safety, drainage, and long-term maintenance needs at two high-use locations near Damascus.