It’s time to share your views! State agencies are seeking public input on the concept of a Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail.
To catch you up, last August the General Assembly authorized a feasibility study to explore the interest, need, and support for converting the unused single-track rail corridor from Broadway to Front Royal into a multi-use trail. In our mind, community input is the most important part of the study because you are the expert on what will make the best trail for our region. An online survey is live now to gather your ideas and interest.
In addition to the community survey, the feasibility study is evaluating existing infrastructure such as the bridges and culverts, considering potential trailhead locations and roadway crossings, estimating construction cost, and outlining a plan and budget for operations and maintenance. Results will be presented to state legislators in December.
The Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership, the 18-member coalition of towns, counties, planning district commissions and nonprofits who share a vision of the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail, has been hard at work engaging local community members and considering options. Towns and counties along the route have passed formal resolutions of support for the trail. And, we have hosted some VIP tours of the route for state Senator Emmett Hanger (pictured), our new Commonwealth Transportation Board member Mark Merrill, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.
So, let’s make sure state officials hear all this and the things that only you can know about your mile on the trail—so please take a moment to complete the survey at https://live.metroquestsurvey.com/?u=qm7c7p and consider sharing this email with your friends and neighbors.