Virginia Planning a Big Addition to Multi-Modal Trail System

The proposed Ashland to Petersburg Trail would build on the success of the Virginia Capital Trail.

1 minute read

October 2, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (pictured right) over the James River in Richmond, Virginia. | Mobilus In Mobili / Flickr

"The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is leading an effort to replicate the Capital Trail’s success with a north-south alignment, tentatively called the Ashland to Petersburg (ATP) Trail," reports Wyatt Gordon.

"The proposed ATP Trail would extend roughly 41 miles and pass through seven of Central Virginia’s localities: the City of Ashland in the north, Hanover County, Henrico County, the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and the Cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg in the south," according to Gordon.

Although the Virginia Capital Trail was a focus of criticism when first proposed in 1999, it has proven wildly popular—the second most visited multi-modal trail in the state according to annual visits. The ATP hasn't provoked criticism yet, although public engagement for the project is already underway, but there's a lot about the trail still to be determined, like the name and a particularly tricky crossing over the James River in Richmond. Instead of crossing the river on the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, which is already overcrowded at times after opening to automobile traffic in 2016, the trail could eventually be integrated into the plan for BridgePark in Richmond.

Read the full story: Central Virginia is planning a 41-mile trail from Ashland to Petersburg

Tuesday, October 1, 2019 in Greater Greater Washington

Infrastructure Transportation Virginia Richmond Ashland Petersburg Trails Virginia Department of Transportation Virginia Capital Trail View More

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