The Bridge over the James River was opened in 1965. The 0.2 mile James River Canal Trail leads visitors across a footbridge under the bridge and Parkway to a lock remaining from the James River and Kanawha Canal.
The lock was built between 1845- 1851 and upon completion 90 locks with a total of 728ft of lift existed between Richmond and Buchanan Virginia. The canal was often damaged by spring rains and was never profitable,
Confederate troops used the canal during the Civil War and it was severely damaged by Union Army numerous times.
The canal stayed in operation until 1880 when it was bought by the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad (now the C&O Railroad). They built railroad lines along the canal path which are still in use to this day.