Tag Archives: shenandoah rail trail

Weigh In on the Future of the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Corridor — Survey Open Through May 13

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VDOT is now in Phase 3 of the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment — the final phase — and is gathering public input through a survey open through May 13. Respondents are asked to weigh in on whether the existing corridor should be converted to a trail (Rail-to-Trail), or should take a Rail-With-Trail approach.  We encourage everyone across the region to participate.

CSPDC and our member jurisdictions along the corridor support a trail for the Shenandoah Valley’s 49-mile corridor. As members of the Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership, we see a dedicated trail as an economic driver and lasting public investment for the communities along the corridor — one that supports economic development, transportation, tourism and outdoor recreation for the long term.

VDOT is holding three in-person public meetings along the corridor to present findings and take feedback:

  • Woodstock — Thursday, April 16, 5–7 p.m., Peter Muhlenberg Middle School
  • Front Royal — Thursday, April 23, 5–7 p.m., Warren County Government Center
  • Timberville — Tuesday, April 28, 5–7 p.m., Plains District Community Center

Take the survey at publicinput.com/svwt, or visit VDOT’s project page for full details.

VDOT Completes Phase 2 of Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment

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Railroad Tracks

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has published its Phase 2 report for the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment. The report evaluates track and structure conditions in relation to requirements for the feasibility of future rail operations along the 49-mile stretch of the Norfolk Southern-owned corridor between Broadway and Front Royal.

The Phase 2 report, released in September 2025, includes five appendices: environmental desktop review, drainage and stormwater management, track rehabilitation, bridge load ratings, and public input from spring 2025 meetings in Timberville, Front Royal, and Woodstock. The assessment compares the engineering requirements and costs of restoring rail service with an adjacent trail to the previously studied rail-to-trail conversion. VDOT is conducting this as a fact-finding effort to assist the Commonwealth in determining next steps for the $35 million allocated for the corridor by the General Assembly through the 2020-2022 budget.

The final phase, Phase 3, will include cost estimates and documentation of assessment outcomes. VDOT expects to release the Phase 3 report this fall, followed by public engagement with in-person meetings and an online survey.

For more information and to view the Phase 2 report, visit the VDOT’s project page here: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/rockingham-shenandoah-and-warren-counties—shenandoah-valley-rail-with-trail-assessment/

VDOT Holds Shenandoah Rail Trail Public Meetings in April

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has published the Phase One Report from its Rail With Trail Assessment, and will host three public meetings along the corridor in April. The meeting locations are:

Timberville
Tuesday April 8, 5-7p.m. @ Plains District Community Center, Large multi-purpose room
233 McCauley Ave, Timberville, VA 22853

Front Royal
Thursday April 10, 5-7p.m. @ Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors room
220 N Commerce Ave # 100, Front Royal, VA 22630

Woodstock
Tuesday April 15, 5-7p.m. @ Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Cafeteria
1251 Susan Ave, Woodstock, VA 22664

At the direction of the Secretary of Transportation, VDOT is evaluating the engineering requirements and costs of rail service and a trail adjacent to one another as an alternative to the previously-studied Shenandoah Rail Trail initiative. This Phase 1 (of 3) Report presents proposed typical sections for the rail-with-trail alternative, summarizes supporting stakeholder interviews, and documents relevant studies and guidance documents.

Anyone interested in the future of the rail corridor should attend and share their input. Alternately, please fill out VDOT’s online survey to provide your input online.