With some marginal funding for the Virginia Rails to Trails initiative in the bank, much more is going to be needed if the Shore is going to exhaust the old rail line and complete the dream of a multi-use trail running north and south. More than likely it will be a multi-agency endeavor, including towns, counties, as well as state and federal monies.
The Town of Cape Charles has met with VDOT and Canonie Atlantic to talk about how we can crack this nut. Town Manager John Hozey provided this update:
The rails to trails meeting was a brainstorming session between VDOT, their consultant, Canonie Atlantic, and the Town, to review various project options in an effort to try and keep the project design within a scope that has a reasonable chance of staying within current funding resources. Several ideas were shared and discussed, but VDOT and their consultant need to go back and research them in greater detail. It was a productive meeting, but just one of many that will be needed as the project progresses.

An ugly scar on the land (the taking up of the rails and ties)….Support for a “rail trail” would gather more support if it was in conjunction with preserving history; preserving the historic rail line…
O Please
An ugly scar on the land. (the taking up of rails and ties)…Support for a “rail trail” would gather more support if it was done in conjunction with preserving a HISTORIC RAILROAD which could be “repurposed” in a way that would benefit the general public. (and provide additional revenue for the state of Virginia…
There was already a nice trail along the R/R tracks that would support trucks, cars and bicyclist with shaved legs and spandex.
Kind of hard to repurpose a railroad that has already been torn up. There was plenty of discussion on how best to use the old railroad, and this was found to be the best option. The vast majority of people don’t care about a railroad.
Tim, give it up
Too true!