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VDOT requests public feedback on phase 1 of Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail

Rebecca Barnabi
sunset park trails
Sunset Park, photo courtesy Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a series of public engagement meetings to gather feedback on Phase 1 findings from the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment.

An on-line survey will also be available to the public from Thursday, March 27 until Friday, April 25.

Each of the open-house public engagement meetings will feature identical information and be held at three locations along the 49-mile rail corridor being studied. A formal presentation will be held at 5:15 p.m. followed by an open house to answer questions.

Timberville – Tuesday, April 8, 5 to 7 p.m.
Plains District Community Center, Large Multi-purpose Room
233 McCauley Ave, Timberville

Front Royal – Thursday, April 10, 5 to 7 p.m.
Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors Room
220 N Commerce Ave, Front Royal

Woodstock – Tuesday, April 15, 5 to 7 p.m.
Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Cafeteria
1251 Susan Ave, Woodstock

Residents may come in anytime during the meeting hours and discuss the study on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and consulting partners. Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or via an online survey.

The brief survey requests the public’s perspective on the layout, comfort level and overall considerations for the ‘Rail with Trail’ and ‘Rail to Trail’ alternatives. Submitted feedback has equal value whether shared at a meeting or shared in the online survey.

The Shenandoah Rail with Trail Assessment will be conducted in three phases and identify the most likely configuration and costs associated with rail asset/rail bridge restoration and constructing an adjacent trail on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County and the Town of Front Royal in Warren County. The alternative will be compared to the ‘Rail to Trail’ option to guide funding decisions by the General Assembly and Commonwealth Transportation Board.

More information is available on the VDOT Study web page.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.