New Lick Creek Footbridge on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

A partnership of the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service recently resulted in the rebuilding of Lick Creek Bridge on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in McCreary County, Kentucky. The bridge spans Lick Creek in the Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest near the boundary of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the creek crossing forms the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace and Lick Creek Trail.

The new bridge is constructed of 16 foot long steel I-beams for the superstructure and pressure treated lumber for the decking and railing and was built by U.S. Forest Service Stearns District employees. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area contributed building materials for the project. "The Lick Creek Bridge project provided a wonderful opportunity for the Forest Service to partner with the National Park Service to accomplish mutual objectives. It's a great example of different agencies working together to get a much needed project completed," said Tim Reed, Stearns District Ranger.

The new bridge provides for improved hiking conditions on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. The Trace is currently 319 miles long with the northern terminus near Morehead, Kentucky, and runs through the Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Pickett State Park, and into the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

For more information on recreation opportunities in the Stearns District of the Daniel Boone, call (606) 376-5323. For more information on recreation opportunities in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, call (423) 286-7275.



Jeff
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