Scoop: Richmond considering permanently closing Pipeline Trail

Richmond's beloved Pipeline Trail will not reopen to the public anytime soon, and the city may permanently close it, a spokesperson tells Axios.

Why it matters: The trail has long been considered a must-visit for locals due to the scenic views of the James River and easy access to Brown's Island from Shockoe Slip.

The big picture: A portion of the Pipeline Trail has been closed since mid-July when the critical pipe from which the trail gets its name failed and dumped raw sewage into the river.

• A city spokesperson told Axios last month that the trail would reopen once pipe repairs were complete.

The latest: The Pipeline Trail will now remain closed to the public due to safety concerns around the aging infrastructure along the trail, which includes the catwalk over the pipe, Department of Public Utilities spokesperson Rhonda Johnson tells Axios.

• She added: "The city strongly cautions against any rivergoers from traveling to the 'beach' area near the pipe as safety hazards exist."
• It's unclear if repairs to the pipe are complete, but no water is currently flowing through it, Johnson said.
• The city hasn't decided whether the closure will be permanent, because a permanent solution for the pipeline is still being designed.

Worth noting: CSX rail company owns the land the Pipeline is on, and the city has an easement for it and the catwalk, CSX spokesperson Austin Staton tells Axios.

• They're currently in discussion with the city about the trail's future, he added, referring Axios to DPU for additional questions.

Fun fact: The Pipeline Trail opened nearly 50 years ago, when the pipe was installed, Johnson said.