New Bridge Links Ohio Trails Over U.S. 68
Walkers and cyclists heading to Great Council State Park can now cross U.S. 68 on a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hiking
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The Ohio Department of Transportation has opened a new pedestrian bridge crossing U.S. 68 to reach Great Council State Park in Xenia Township. The project also built multi-use path connections between the Little Miami Scenic Trail and the Shawnee Interpretive Education Center, giving walkers, cyclists and other trail users a safer route into the park.
Why it matters
For hikers and cyclists in Ohio, the crossing removes the need to reach the park by crossing a busy highway at grade. Great Council State Park opened in June 2024 and is the state's 76th state park, so the bridge expands access to a site built around a Shawnee cultural history.
The new crossing is a completed state infrastructure project documented by the Ohio Department of Transportation, developed in coordination with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. No usage or safety data for the bridge had been reported at the time of opening.
The players
Ohio Department of Transportation
The state agency that builds and maintains Ohio's highways and transportation infrastructure, including the new U.S. 68 crossing.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The state agency that manages Ohio's state parks and natural areas, which coordinated development of the project.
The details
The project built multi-use path connections linking the Little Miami Scenic Trail to the Shawnee Interpretive Education Center, and it included improvements to U.S. 68 in Oldtown. It also upgraded the crossing at the intersection of U.S. 68 and Brush Row Road. The park sits on the site of Old Chillicothe, a Shawnee town founded in the 1770s by Chief Blackfish, and it was developed alongside three federally recognized Shawnee tribes. When the park opened, the state said trails behind the education center would let visitors walk to the Little Miami River.
Timeline
June 2024: Great Council State Park opened to the public.
November 6, 2026: The Ohio Department of Transportation opened the new pedestrian bridge over U.S. 68.
Health Landscape
Great Council State Park adds to Ohio's state park system as its 76th park, extending public access to trails and outdoor recreation statewide. Safe pedestrian routes that connect trails to parks are one way communities make walking and cycling part of everyday activity.
A safer, grade-separated route to the park makes it easier to add walking or cycling to a regular routine without crossing U.S. 68 on foot. If you are planning a return to more strenuous hiking, it is worth discussing your fitness level with your doctor first.
The takeaway
Safer access routes can make outdoor activity easier to build into daily life. Before starting a new hiking or cycling routine, a conversation with your physician about your fitness level is a sensible step.
Further reading
For more on trail options, see Hiking in Ohio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dayton Daily News.
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