Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9510020032
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The route has fooled more than a few first-time visitors into thinking they were lost, said Rupert Cutler, the park's executive director.
Cutler received word Friday that smoother trails lie ahead: A contractor has been chosen to build a road from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Explore Park by early 1997.
W.C. English Inc. of Lynchburg was picked to pave the two-lane extension of the parkway. The Federal Highway Administration accepted the company's bid of $9.68 million over that of four other bidders, two from out of state.
English is a 41-year-old general contracting company specializing in highways and bridges. English has built other area road projects and is helping extend Peters Creek Road and widen U.S. 11 near Hollins College, administrative assistant Mittie Gay said.
Cutler said the new road will bring more visitors to the 2-year-old park, which slightly more than 15,000 people have paid to visit this year - less than a third of Cutler's projection of 50,000. The park's season ends Oct. 31.
"This just makes all the difference in the world, as far as the motivation of Blue Ridge Parkway traffic to come into Explore Park," he said.
Cutler predicted attendance will reach 100,000 in 1999.
The road will lead to a parking lot for the park's planned restaurant. From there, the ticket booth will be a short drive.
The structure for the restaurant is the historic Brugh Tavern, which is being moved from Botetourt County for remodeling and will open by the time the road is complete, Cutler said.
The spur will cross the edges of the old landfill off Rutrough Road. The buried heaps of trash are to be planted in native vegetation.
Motorists will have a chance to stop at three overlooks and will cross a 600-foot curving bridge over a deep ravine.
by CNB