The footbridge that carries Appalachian Trail hikers across the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is now reopened six months after a train derailment damaged it.

The bridge is a key pedestrian connection between the town and the C&O Canal towpath, a popular recreational and cycling trail, and Maryland Heights, a popular hiking overlook with stunning views. It is also a scenic spot for visitors to the historic town, which is known for John Brown's raid.

The reopening might come as good news to hikers, but the coronavirus pandemic has limited the overall number of visitors and trail hikers this year. More than 1,700 hikers who trekked the whole 2,190-mile trail went through Harpers Ferry in 2019. Many more day hikers and others use the bridge annually. Nearly 300,000 people visited Harpers Ferry National Historical Park last year, the Washington Post reported.

A CSX train derailment on Dec. 21, 2019 damaged about a quarter of the bridge closest to Harpers Ferry. It reopened over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

A report from the Federal Railroad Administration determined operator error caused the derailment of the train, which had empty grain cars, according to The Journal.

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#Breaking Video: CSX FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILMENT in #HarpersFerry on the Winchester & Potomac Railroad Bridge @ 3:30AM, NO injuries, locomotive remained on track. Recovery crews are working to secure dangling train cars #BreakingNews @nbcwashington @TomLynch_ pic.twitter.com/fhflDZNb9f

— ʙʀᴀᴅ ꜰʀᴇɪᴛᴀꜱ (@Chopper4Brad) December 21, 2019

It's unclear how much the repairs cost, though CSX has said it will pay for it. In a statement, the National Park Service said it "worked cooperatively with CSX to repair the pedestrian bridge." An NPS spokesperson said CSX can best speak to the cost of the repairs. CSX has not returned a request for comment.

In March, the Park Service said it had done a damage assessment that allows NPS to seek damages. "Working cooperatively with the responsible party can expedite the assessment and repairs, thus the NPS has been in contact with CSX with this as a goal," a March release said.

In that same release, acting National Capital Area Director Lisa Mendelson-Ielmini said, "We know the local communities and visitors to the park rely on the footbridge daily, and we are eager to have it back in place."

Appalachian Trail through-hikers were asked to arrange private transportation as there were no other safe walking options across the river, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. NPS explored the idea of a shuttle, but it never launched.

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