First Steps for Virginia Eastern Shore Rail Trail Project

A 49-mile length of railway in rural Virginia is at the start of the process of becoming a rail trail.

1 minute read

August 25, 2020, 10:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Railroad

Scruggelgreen / Shutterstock

"Last month, Canonie Atlantic, the company which owns the tracks on the Eastern Shore [in Virginia], petitioned the federal Surface Transportation Board to decommission a 49.1 miles long rail line from the town of Hallwood to Cape Charles. If their motion is approved, that stretch of tracks would be eligible to be rail-banked — a legal process by which abandoned railways can be converted into shared-use walking, biking, and roller skating paths," reports Wyatt Gordon.

Advocates of the trail say that this project could be a huge economic boost for the region, an area which has experienced an ongoing decrease in population in past decades. Other similar projects, including 48 existing trails in Virginia, have been a draw for tourists, hikers, and cyclists, and communities along these routes have benefited from the influx of money to local economies.

"Beyond their recreational and economic value, rail trails can also serve as critical transportation connections, especially in rural areas which lack alternatives to private vehicle ownership," notes Gordon. While the Eastern Shore project has a long way to go, a Virginia Department of Transportation study has been in the works and federal approval to abandon the tracks is expected in November.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 in The Virginia Mercury

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

30 minutes ago - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

2 hours ago - WHYY

Green painted bike lane with striped buffer between car lane and curb parking lane.

Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary

Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA