VDOT public meeting dates scheduled and report published
The Phase 1 report from the VDOT Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment is now available and dates have been set for the three public meetings for community input.
Mark your calendar with one (or more!) of these dates and come out to reaffirm to decision makers that the Shenandoah Rail Trail is the project that you want! Let us know you're coming on Facebook by clicking RSVP below.
📍Timberville
Tuesday April 8, 5-7pm @ Plains District Community Center, Large multi-purpose room
233 McCauley Ave, Timberville, VA 22853 (directions)
📍Front Royal
Thursday April 10, 5-7pm @ Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors room
220 N Commerce Ave # 100, Front Royal, VA 22630 (directions)
📍Woodstock
Tuesday April 15, 5-7pm @ Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Cafeteria
1251 Susan Ave, Woodstock, VA 22664 (directions)
The Phase 1 Report
After reading through the report, we still believe that the Shenandoah Rail Trail is the best project for the corridor.
As a refresher, the purpose of this first of three study phases was to set the stage for more detailed analysis of the challenges, costs, utility and safety of the concept of restoring the unused rail line between Broadway and Front Royal, and subsequently building an adjacent trail.
The report confirms many of the obvious concerns we had about the much greater costs of a rail with trail project. For example:
‼️ It notes the complexity (and additional expense) of attaching cantilevered steel trail structures alongside the bridges that carry freight trains.
‼️ It identifies half (51%) of the corridor as requiring some sort of special, costly engineering and construction to build both a restored rail line and a trail along the 66-foot corridor. These include things such as building retaining walls, blasting through rock faces, and engineering overhangs.
About 40% of the corridor, or 19.8 miles, is categorized as 'steep slopes' requiring new earthwork and retaining walls to support both the trail and active rail line. (page 20)
Again, we won't know the specific cost estimates until the third phase of the study is completed later this year. But it's clear from this first phase that the additional funding required to restore an active rail line next to the trail is certain to significantly increase project costs, with no assurance that rail freight business will return to the corridor.
So, as expected, all signs still point to the Shenandoah Rail Trail being the highest and best use for the unused corridor and the project that will bring the most mental, physical and financial benefit for the state’s investment.
Give the report a look and let us know what you think–what points do you find significant?
Then mark your calendar for one of the public meetings—it will be important for the community to show up and say again, "Let's build the Shenandoah Rail Trail!"
If you can't make the meetings, VDOT also plans to gather input through an online survey that has yet to be posted. Make sure you’re signed up for email alerts—we'll let you know as soon as it is live.
