From Staff Reports 

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE — A temporary bridge is set to reconnect Chimney Rock State Park by Memorial Day weekend, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on April 9.

News 13 added, “Restaurant and store owners in Chimney Rock are thrilled to see NCDOT subcontracted construction crews start work on connecting a bridge” to Chimney Rock State Park.

“I’m super excited,” Matt Banz, who owns Riverwatch Grill in Chimney Rock Village, told the TV station.

News 13 added, “Banz has owned the restaurant with his wife for 30 years. The couple considers the community their home and they have deep roots in the village. Banz said the bridge will be critical for tourism.”

The temporary bridge will help facilitate the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park.

Meanwhile, the Asheville Citizen Times reported that Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O’Leary is excited about the new bridge connecting the village to Chimney Rock State Park, calling it a “huge milestone” for the area’s recovery.

In its story, the ACT noted that O’Leary “is emphasizing the importance of the bridge for the local economy, as it will bring tourists back to the village.”

Meanwhile, Banz asserted, “It’s a big one for us because people come to the park, and they like to come to the village after that. They have a temporary bridge in place, right now in order to build another temporary bridge for two years that will take people across the Rocky Broad River and into the State Park.”

Officials with the park have not commented officially on the park’s condition, but locals in Chimney Rock Village including town officials, have said the park sustained minimal damage and will be able to open.

The park's main bridge was washed out during Tropical Storm Helene. NCDOT said the new temporary bridge should be open by Memorial Day weekend.

“They’re working really quickly,” Pippa Purcell, who owns Chimney Rock Essentials, selling food, snacks and beverages, told News 13. “This company is called the Wright Brothers and they’re out of Tennessee and they’re super great guys, very efficient and professional.”

The TV station added, “While NCDOT is focused on getting the two-year temp bridge done, down by the park’s old stone entrance, NCDOT plans a permanent bridge, but the job won’t start until 2026.

“The community depends on park traffic and Banz, for one, can’t wait to get his business back running after more than six extremely difficult months being closed.”

Banz told News 13, “This summer I think most of us will be open and will welcome visitors. It will be a good thing, for sure.”