For those looking to get some exercise on the Virginia Capital Trail this month, there might be a roadblock in the way.
On Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced that a portion of the trail would be closed because of emergency repairs. Approximately 300 feet, where there is a wooden boardwalk bridge, between mile markers 1 and 2 will be closed off.
VDOT spokeswoman Brittany McBride Nichols said earlier in the week staff at the trail noticed the bridge was starting to buckle and reported it to VDOT. The bridge was determined unsafe for the time being and closed off to pedestrians.
Nichols said VDOT is still in the planning process of the repairs but hopes to have a contractor ready to begin work early August.
Once repair work starts, Nichols said it is expected to be completed in approximately three to four weeks.
Until that time, those on the trail will not be able to pass over the bridge. Nichols said they can go up to the bridge and back or take an alternate, and slightly longer, detour to pass the area.
The Virginia Capital Trail is a 52-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail that spans from Jamestown, Williamsburg and Richmond along Route 5. For more information, visit VDOT online.
