VDOT Phase 2 Report Confirms: Rail-To-Trail is the Clear Path Forward

For years, communities tried to revive the unused rail line for freight or scenic trains. None of those efforts worked. Local leaders then came together around a new idea: convert the unused tracks into a safe, separated trail for walking, running, biking, and more.

The idea took off. Residents loved it, and trails like this across the country have brought big benefits—new businesses, stronger tourism, and better quality of life.

By 2021, all 12 localities along the corridor had passed resolutions supporting a 50-mile trail between Broadway and Front Royal. The state legislature even secured funding to buy the corridor from Norfolk Southern.

Then, another idea surfaced: bring back trains and build a trail next to them. The state agreed to study it, and momentum slowed while we waited.

This week, the second phase of that study was released. The results are clear: a rail-with-trail project would be far more complex. Here’s what the report says:

‼️ Extensive rail upgrades required: 35% of the rail line would need full replacement just to meet federal standards for trains.

‼️ Bridges become barriers: The study recommends not cantilevering a trail onto existing bridges, meaning 23 new pedestrian bridges or reroutes would be needed.

‼️ Extra land demands: Much of the corridor would need additional property outside the right-of-way for stormwater and safety.

The report also confirmed that people want: a trail. In Phase 1, 54% of survey responses supported rail-to-trail, and nearly everyone supported having a trail in some form.

The Shenandoah Rail Trail will transform our Valley—and after this report, the path forward is more clear than ever.