On Friday, July 10th, VDOT released the final results of their public survey. And, the message is clear. Across our towns, counties, and the entire state, communities overwhelmingly support the transformation of this historic corridor into the multi-use Shenandoah Rail Trail.
Thank you to everyone who continuously showed up in public engagement meetings, completed the survey (a few of them, in fact!), and shared information.
The VDOT public engagement report summarizes the results from the 8,150 respondents:
?Warren, Shenandoah & Rockingham counties: 70% chose the trail option
?Virginia residents: 58% chose the trail option
?️All responses: 53% chose the trail option
VDOT now has proof that Valley communities want the multi-use Shenandoah Rail Trail that connects 3 counties and 9 towns, boosting local economies and recreational opportunities.
As a reminder, we’ve long supported the Shenandoah Rail Trail because it is a vision that:
⭐️ Keeps the corridor intact for future rail use
⭐️ Strengthens local economies
⭐️ Enhances quality of life across the Valley
⭐️ Delivers a fiscally responsible solution
So, what next? The state plans on moving forward to purchase the corridor from Norfolk Southern and we stand ready to support our local partners and state agencies every step of the way. We are thrilled to get one step closer in making this trail a reality. Stay tuned for more updates as this project advances.
Make sure to also visit shenandoahrailtrail.org for more details and to stay updated on the project’s progress.
Top image of a proposed trail bridge in Front Royal by TDC Marketing courtesy of Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail.