Roanoke officials respond to Greenway floods, trail closed until further notice
Roanoke, Virginia – In the aftermath of the recent rainfall, the Lower Wiley Avenue Bridge has been submerged, resulting in the closure of a segment of the Roanoke River Greenway. The Memorial Day flood is to blame for the inundation of the bridge, and as per Roanoke City officials, the trail remains closed indefinitely. Wiley Avenue is not the sole Greenway impacted by the torrential downpour.
City staff members will be engaging in remedial measures on several other Greenways, including the Lick Run Greenway near 10th Street NW, the Tinker Creek Greenway in proximity to Dale Avenue and Kenwood Boulevard NE, and The Roanoke River Greenway along Bennington Street SW and underneath 9th Street.
It is common for portions of the greenway to become waterlogged following significant rain events. Therefore, we advise utilizing the Mill Mountain and Lick Run greenways, which are known to retain their dry condition. Moreover, please demonstrate consideration for our natural-surface trails. If they are damp, we recommend pursuing your hiking or biking activities elsewhere until they have had the opportunity to dry. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated.
The Roanoke River, spanning 1300 miles and extending into North Carolina, demonstrated its susceptibility to flooding during the flood of 1985. On Thursday, water was observed surging over the bridge, reaching a height of 7 feet and anticipated to rise to 8 feet shortly. According to the National Weather Service, the water level must reach 10 feet at Wiley Drive to be recognized as a potential flood hazard. Remain vigilant for updates to ascertain when it will be safe to return to the Greenway trails. It is always advisable for hikers and bikers to steer clear of damp trails.
