The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is set to gather public feedback on Phase 1 findings from the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment. The agency has scheduled a series of public meetings and released an online survey, available from March 27 to April 25, at https://publicinput.com/svrwt, for this purpose.
VDOT will host open-house public meetings at three locations along the studied 49-mile rail corridor. Each meeting will feature identical content and begin with a formal presentation at 5:15 p.m., followed by an open session. The meetings are scheduled as follows:
– Timberville: April 8, 5-7 p.m., at Plains District Community Center, 233 McCauley Ave
– Front Royal: April 10, 5-7 p.m., at Warren County Government Center, 220 N Commerce Ave
– Woodstock: April 15, 5-7 p.m., at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, 1251 Susan Ave
Citizens can attend at their convenience during meeting hours for one-on-one discussions with VDOT officials and consulting partners. Comments can be submitted in person or through the online survey at https://publicinput.com/svrwt.
The survey seeks public input on layout, comfort, and overall considerations for both the ‘Rail with Trail’ and ‘Rail to Trail’ alternatives. Feedback provided online or at meetings holds equal weight.
The assessment, conducted in three phases, aims to identify the configuration and cost for restoring rail assets and constructing a trail along the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between Broadway in Rockingham County and Front Royal in Warren County. Comparison with the ‘Rail to Trail’ option will inform funding choices made by the General Assembly and the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Additional details are available on the VDOT Study webpage: https://VDOT.Virginia.gov/ShenandoahRailWithTrail. The VDOT Staunton District includes Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Bath counties and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter. More information about VDOT can be found at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/.
