Richmond's Pipeline trail is closed

Richmond's Pipeline Trail is closed and padlocked to bar public access.

Why it matters: The trail is popular with locals for its scenic views of the James River rapids and easy access to Brown's Island from Shockoe Slip.

• Plus, atop the trail, one can get an up close look at the critical pipe that failed last month and dumped raw sewage into the river.

State of play: The portion of the trail has been closed "for the safety of residents and contractors" since the city started repairing the pipe, parks department spokesperson Tamara Jenkins tells Axios.

• It'll remain closed until repairs are complete.
• Repairs, including inflatable plugs, epoxy and steel plate patches, are nearly complete, a spokesperson for DPU tells Axios.
• The city still needs to add plates to the bottom of the pipe to prevent river water from entering; that will be done once river levels lower. A timeline wasn't available.

Yes, but: A photo that widely circulated over the weekend suggested the repairs were less "steel plate patches" and more "two-dozen ratchet straps and I hope this works."

• The straps can be seen in part from outside the locked gate