Granville Hogg submitted this letter regarding issued with Eastern Shore Rail and Trail Study, which is reviewing the proposed use of the railroad for a bike trail.
In these times when public meetings and input are somewhat of a challenge, getting comments from the public is limited. I hope the article in the Eastern Shore Post will prompt the public to provide you with additional insight and guidance.
I have perused the meeting notes. Based on the data provided it appears the existing tracks in many locations are not within the center of the Right of Way. Once the Rails and ties are removed there will likely be the need for some regrading of the ballast therefore a shifting/relocation of the ballast location would not be a major expense. Would it be in the public interest to have the trail centered within the right of way? In addition, as I pointed out in my letter, there have been several traffic accidents involving agricultural equipment that is relocating from one field to another. The results of such accidents usually involves a fatality of the agricultural worker.
From the viewpoint of Traffic Records these types of accidents are not that frequent along U.S. 13, however I believe Virginia Farm Bureau or a National Farm Bureau Organization might help with statistics. Since the application is heavily weighted (35%) for SAFETY would it not be a valid reason to provide a MOTOR VEHICLE FREE area for agricultural equipment to relocate rather than on U.S. 13 or SR 316. Having agricultural use included in this application may improve ratings.
I have no idea what the response would be from the County Farm Bureau Organizations. There has not been a motor vehicle/ agricultural equipment death in the recent past. In my opinion, the Farm Bureau should be invited to the stakeholder’s table.
With the changes involving the use of the Canonie Atlantic property from a railroad to other use it may be a good time to review the bicycle/pedestrian crossing at the Cape Charles Stoplight. Commonwealth of Virginia currently owns several acres of land on the Northside of the Existing Right of Way. In addition, the eastern Right of Way of existing U.S. 13 south of the Railroad follows the 1955 Right of way which is 50 to 150′ to the east of the current U.S. 13. In my opinion, a roadway following the former U.S. 13 to the shopping area would substantially improve Motor Vehicle/pedestrian/bike traffic far better than the proposed stoplight at the shopping area southern entrance. VDOT convinced themselves a monumental stoplight was needed at the southern entrance to the shopping area, however with the change in the use of the Cannonie Atlantic property whether that plan will be re-evaluated remains to be seen.
Cheriton, Virginia 23316
Have they considered placing a light at Kiptopeke Elementary School to allow the hike-bike trail to cross there and provide the added safety for the buses and families trying to enter and exit the school? The RR right of way crosses 13 just a few hundred yards north of that intersection.
Thank you, Mr. Hogg. It is unfortunate we cannot have a public meeting on this for you to explain with some visual aids, like maps. I will call Farm Bureau and ask them if they have seen the survey and point out your letter. The online survey is actually quite interesting to take (for us online platform geeks). Public projects are only as good as the public input they receive—-or that is invited to comment on.
With all the hundreds of miles of beautiful roads, why the hell do the leg shaving, spandex wearing bicyclist need special ‘trails’? I guess they are tired of folks spraying them with washer fluid. I know I enjoy doing it. I used to have a company vehicle that was perfect for it.
Stay Hydrated! Fools.
LOL. “leg shaving, spandex wearing bicyclist ” Good One
For the record, some of us wear coveralls over hairy legs and fedoras on our heads while biking and don’t forget hiking. While I might agree that avid spandex clad bicyclists are competent and safe enough to ride the Shore back roads and highways as they do now, I’m certain that families, children, seniors, and those requiring wheeled equipment for mobility should not be riding along 13 or Stone Road into Cape Charles. We’ve seen enough tragic loss of citizens in horrific vehicle-human encounters.
The hunters of the eastern shore have no problem finding areas to ‘hike’. Maybe you should ask them how they do it.