PIKEVILLE, KY (AP) Naturalists are fighting a proposal to build a bridge into one of the most remote sections of the Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky-Virginia border.

The $4-million bridge would be visible from overlooks along the rim of the park’s primary attraction, a 5-mi.-long gorge that’s touted as the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River.

Steve Ruth, an Elkhorn City resident who frequents the park, said he worries less about the 660-ft.-long (201 m) bridge than the commercial development that may follow. He said he’s heard talk of everything from a golf course to a theme park being built on what is now some of Kentucky’s most pristine land.

“The bridge is certainly bothersome, but the real issue is why do you need to build such a large structure into an area that at this time is completely undeveloped,” he said. “That area is unique. It’s of natural value, and the possibilities we’ve heard for development do not seem to fit what the audience of the park wants.”

The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, a group that waged a successful campaign two years ago against the drilling of gas wells in the park, also opposes the proposed bridge.

Tim Belcher, an Elkhorn City attorney and member of the group, said the bridge would detract from the natural beauty of the 1,600-ft.-deep (487 m) gorge known as the Grand Canyon of the South.

“They said they’re going to make the bridge look aesthetically pleasing, but it’s still a bridge,” Belcher said.

Carl Mullins, manager of the Breaks Interstate Park, said the proposed bridge would allow access to the Kentucky portion of the park, which is now hardly visited except by whitewater rafters floating through on the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River.

Sara George, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Pikeville, said the proposed bridge is simply that — a proposal. She said no funding has been made available for construction. State officials held a public hearing last week to gather comments on the proposal, most of which were negative.

The bridge, as described at the public hearing, would intersect with Kentucky 80 and carry two lanes of traffic into the park.

“In my opinion, it would be the best thing that ever happened,” Mullins said. “It will open up our park to where we can develop the Kentucky side.”

Although the park is jointly funded by the states of Kentucky and Virginia, the only place development has occurred is on the Virginia side. That development includes a lodge, cottages, campground and swimming pool along with trails for hiking and biking.

“The land in Kentucky has not been developed because there’s no access,” Mullins said.

He said the bridge, which would end on a section of the park called Potter Flats, could lead to the creation of a a staging area for hikers who want to walk trails in the Breaks park or in the newly created Pine Mountain Trail State Park, which begins at the Breaks.

Belcher said he’s heard any number of suggestions for development on the Kentucky land, including the creation of a mock mining town. He said bridge opponents find that idea absurd.

“It would be like arguing that an amusement park should be built on the rim of the Grand Canyon,” Ruth said.

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