Help us build the Shenandoah Rail Trail - Send a Message Today

Great news! The amended budget signed by Governor Youngkin on September 14, 2023, included language supporting the Shenandoah Rail Trail.

Please take a moment now to contact your elected leaders. Thank them for the Shenandoah Rail Trail funding and ask them to get the ball rolling on the Shenandoah Rail Trail. This project has been many years in the making, is supported by every town and every county along the corridor, and the money is in place. The time is now.

In your message, we encourage you to personalize it by adding how you plan to use the trail. For example, I look forward to having a safe place to walk, run, and bike with my children.

The amended budget signed by Governor Youngkin on September 14, 2023, included language supporting the Shenandoah Rail Trail. The budget language says:

“Up to $35 million shall be allocated to the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail for the purposes of land acquisition, initial planning, and site development. Any land acquisition by the Commonwealth as part of this trail development shall not preclude the consideration of options to maintain rail transportation in the corridor.”

Note that the budget language also includes a reference to considering options to maintain rail transportation. We hope that state officials will resolve this quickly, as it's clear that rail transportation is not currently economically viable without huge public subsidies. Fortunately, trail leaders plan to acquire the corridor through railbanking, keeping the corridor intact until future passenger or freight rail use becomes economically viable.

Thank you for your past and ongoing support. Please share this with any friends and family who might want to help build the trail!