What is the Rail to Trail Project?
The former Bay Coast Railroad offers 49.1 miles of a primarily flat and straight right of way and presents an opportunity for a shared-use path connecting communities, businesses, and State/Federal parks throughout Northampton and Accomack Counties. As the abandoned railroad runs mostly parallel to US Route 13, a VDOT-designated Corridor of Statewide Significance, there is an opportunity to reduce conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists on US Route 13 with a parallel shared-use path; but more importantly, the shared-use path would improve pedestrian and cyclist mobility, accessibility, and safety by providing a separate, dedicated facility to those more vulnerable users of the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Project Public Hearing
On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will host a required public hearing to seek the public’s input on the project and its advancement.
Monday, March 13, 2023, 4 – 6 p.m.
Eastern Shore Community College
Workforce Development Center – Great Hall
29316 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA 23410
Attendees can meet with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) representatives to find out about the proposed Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Project which will convert a 46-mile portion of the former Bay Coast Railroad between Cape Charles and Hallwood, into a shared-use path in the counties of Accomack and Northampton.
Interested individuals can review project information at the public hearing or at VDOT’s Accomac Residency Office located at 23096 Courthouse Avenue, Accomac, VA 23301, 757-787-5856, TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of staff to answer your questions.
Residents can provide written or oral comments at the hearing or submit them by March 23, 2023 to Jerry Pauley, Program Manager, 7511 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434 or by email to Jerry.Pauley@VDOT.Virginia.gov. Please reference “Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Project Public Comments” in the subject line.
Residents can also complete an online survey which can be found at https://metroquestsurvey.com/ar7g7l.
The trail can serve as a means of transportation for people from Stone Road and Kings Creek neighborhood to walk, ride the bike, motorized wheelchair/scoooter, or ride their golf cart to town.
Editor’s Note: Great point, it will also allow folks across the highway in Cheriton to safely commute into Cape Charles…if the trail does follow the railroad, it will pass right through Cheriton on its way north.
I would love to hear what the ‘old head’ of the shore would say about this liberal nonsense.
You people are crazy, it is just that simple. Va Beach used to be a nice quiet place to live long before the Come-Heres took it over.