The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the City of Fredericksburg are seeking public input on a proposed project to construct a trail connecting Dixon Street Park with the eastern end of Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.
An in-person design public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Walker-Grant Center, located at 210 Ferdinand Street in Fredericksburg. If necessary, a backup date is set for Monday, October 6, at the same time and location.
During the hearing, attendees can review displays and proposed plans and discuss questions with VDOT and City staff. Materials related to the meeting are also available on the project page online, where members of the public can submit comments through an online survey.
Comments will be accepted during the hearing and until Friday, October 10. They may be emailed to fred.comments@vdot.virginia.gov with “Dixon Park Connector Trail” in the subject line or mailed to Mr. Byrd Holloway, VDOT Senior Project Manager, at 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
The planned project includes construction of a roughly 10-foot-wide paved trail featuring a bridge over Hazel Run, retaining walls, and pedestrian/bicycle crossings under Route 3/Blue and Gray Parkway. Two possible routes between Caroline Street and Dixon Park are under consideration.
As part of this initiative, new bicycle facilities would be added on Caroline Street between the end of the paved trail at the cul-de-sac and the Fredericksburg train station. The segment between the cul-de-sac and Dixon Street would have “sharrow” pavement markings for shared vehicle-bicycle use. Dedicated bicycle lanes are proposed between Dixon Street and Frederick Street.
The City of Fredericksburg has applied for funding for this project through Virginia’s SMART SCALE program (https://smartscale.org/), which evaluates transportation projects based on factors such as safety improvements and congestion reduction.
“Stop by anytime at the public hearing to review displays, proposed plans, and discuss questions with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and City of Fredericksburg staff.”
“The public can view meeting materialson the project pageand submit comments using an online survey.”
“Comments on the project will be accepted at the public hearing and afterward through Friday, Oct. 10.”
“Comments may be emailed to fred.comments@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference ‘Dixon Park Connector Trail’ in the email subject line. You can also mail them to Mr. Byrd Holloway, VDOT Senior Project Manager, 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.”
