HINTON, W.Va. -- The Summers County Commission has awarded a bid for the first phase of the John Henry Historical Park Project.

Union Concrete of White Sulphur Spring will build a two-lane gravel access road from W.Va. Route 3 into the park in Talcott. The project also includes a gravel parking lot and relocating a statue of the folk hero into the park.

The Register-Herald reports that the County Commission approved Union Concrete's bid this week. The project is expected to cost $189,000.

According to legend, railroad steel-driver John Henry won a race with a steam drill during construction of the Big Bend Tunnel in the 1870s. After besting the machine, the exhausted Henry collapsed and died.

Funding is being pursued to extend the access road to the tunnel.