From http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gwj/alerts-notices/?aid=17599

"AT Hikers Rerouted near Damascus from Washed-Out Footbridge Date(s): May 22, 2013
Contact(s): Mount Rogers NRA (276) 783-5196
A section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) near Straight Branch and US-58 east of Damascus, VA, has been rerouted indefinitely due to the complete washout of the Straight Branch A.T. Footbridge during a high water event in May 2013. The reroute (detour) follows portions of the Beech Grove Trail (#4552) and Virginia Creeper Trail (#4575). This detour is expected to be in place for the foreseeable future, as A.T. management partners plan for the construction of a replacement footbridge."

Perhaps something like this occurred, and a couple years later it was decided to "repair" whatever damage.
Who's to say that maybe in a couple years the A.T. management partners do come up with a reroute of the this section. In ten years later, will someone be investigating why that section was rerouted?

V8