This agreement with the commonwealth of virginia, department of transportation on the george washington and jefferson national forests will occur in southwest virginia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $376,957 to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Transportation under the Good Neighbor Authority program (CFDA 10.691) on September 19, 2025. This agreement supports expedited design and rebuild of the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwest Virginia, which sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Helene. The project runs from July 15, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with ultimate completion by September 30, 2027.

The funding utilizes disaster recovery resources to provide salary and travel costs for a Virginia Department of Transportation employee who will conduct design submittal reviews and on-site construction inspection oversight during the trail rebuild, which will be executed under a Forest Service-managed contract. The Virginia Department of Transportation brings relevant experience from previous Virginia Creeper Trail reconstruction efforts, positioning the agency to provide critical technical assistance during the restoration project. This cooperative agreement exemplifies the Good Neighbor Authority program's authorization for states to conduct restoration and recreation services on National Forest System lands to enhance recreational access and advance land management objectives.

This award will accomplish the expedited and supported design and rebuild of the virginia creeper national recreation trail on the mount rogers national recreation area that was extensively damaged by hurricane helene. The project is scheduled to begin in late summer of 2025 (july 15, 2025) and continue through june 30, 2027. Disaster funds will be used to fund the salary and travel costs for a virginia department of transportation employee that will support the review of design submittals for the virginia creeper trail rebuild and on the ground construction inspection support while the trail is being rebuilt under a contract managed by the forest service. Virginia department of transportation has rebuilt expansive pieces of the virginia creeper national recreation trail in the past and has the experience and knowledge to play a critical role in assistance in the rebuild of the virginia creeper trail.