BRISTOL VIRGINIA IS PUTTING A HAULT TO THE LEGAL FIGHT FOR THE PROPOSED MENDOTA TRAIL PROJECT. THE CITY HAS ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN 600-THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THE PROJECT, WHICH WOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED A HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL ALONG A FORMER SOUTHERN RAILWAY LINE ACROSS WESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY. THE CITY WILL DROP ITS LITIGATION AGAINST A SERIES OF OPPOSING PROPERTY OWNERS BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTED HIGH LEGAL EXPENSES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CONTINUE THE EIGHT YEAR COURT BATTLE. MAYOR JIM RECTOR SAID THE LEGAL AND SURVEYING COSTS COULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, SO THE PROJECT WILL BE PUT ON HOLD UNTIL THE CITY CAN GET IT’S FINANCES IN ORDER.