Trail Option Draws Strongest Support in VDOT Shenandoah Rail Corridor Survey

Public support appears to be lining up behind a shared-use trail along the former Norfolk Southern rail corridor after the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) released the results of its Phase 3 public engagement for the Shenandoah Valley Rail-with-Trail Assessment.

The report, released in July, marks the conclusion of the assessment’s public outreach process and summarizes feedback from 8,150 surveys collected during a five-week comment period this spring. Three public meetings were also held in Woodstock, Front Royal, and Timberville, drawing a combined 425 attendees.

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The survey asked participants which option they believed represented the best investment for Virginia after reviewing estimated costs, project considerations, and potential benefits. Statewide, 53 percent selected the rail-to-trail option, while 35.9 percent favored a rail-with-trail design that would restore rail service alongside a new trail. Another 8.3 percent had no preference, and 2.8 percent supported neither option.

Support for the trail increased among respondents living closest to the proposed 49-mile corridor, which stretches from Broadway to Front Royal.

According to VDOT, nearly 58 percent of Virginia respondents favored the rail-to-trail option. Among residents of Warren, Shenandoah, and Rockingham counties, support climbed to nearly 70 percent. Rockingham County recorded the strongest support, with almost 78 percent choosing the trail option. Warren and Shenandoah counties each reported about 65 percent support.

Those findings mirror comments from Shenandoah Rail Trail advocates, who said the results show that local residents are increasingly supportive of transforming the unused corridor into a continuous shared-use trail connecting communities across the Valley.

Advocacy groups thanked residents who attended public meetings, completed surveys, and encouraged others to participate, saying the results demonstrate strong grassroots support for the project and move the trail one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Phase 3 assessment did not ask VDOT to recommend one option over the other. Instead, the agency evaluated engineering challenges, estimated costs and gathered public input for state leaders to consider when determining the corridor’s future. Earlier in the study, VDOT emphasized that its role was to provide information rather than endorse a specific alternative.

Cost remains one of the biggest differences between the competing proposals.

The study estimates a rail-to-trail project would cost about $187 million. By comparison, constructing a trail alongside restored rail service would cost an estimated $697 million, including approximately $382 million for trail construction and $315 million to rehabilitate the rail line. VDOT said the higher price reflects the need for retaining walls, bridge modifications, fencing, additional drainage infrastructure, and some right-of-way acquisition required to build a trail beside an active railroad.

Beyond the preference question, the survey explored how residents would like to see the project developed if it moves forward.

Participants ranked trail amenities, placing restrooms, wayfinding signage, and benches among the highest priorities. They also identified preferred construction segments and shared more than 4,100 open-ended comments addressing topics such as project costs, economic development, safety, tourism, accessibility, maintenance, and potential trail connections to other regional recreation networks. Every comment was reviewed and categorized by the project team.

The assessment notes that 2,863 respondents submitted written comments, while nearly 2,000 people used an open-ended question to share additional thoughts on the project. Common themes included requests for more information about funding, rail feasibility, tourism impacts, trail amenities, safety measures, and future maintenance responsibilities.

With public engagement now complete, supporters say attention shifts to the next phase of the project.

According to Shenandoah Rail Trail advocates, the Commonwealth has indicated it intends to move forward with purchasing the rail corridor from Norfolk Southern. Once acquisition is complete, planning can continue toward design, partnerships, and eventual construction of the proposed trail.

Supporters are also encouraging residents to continue participating by submitting ideas for trailheads, access points, and community connections through an online interactive map as planning advances.

While the survey results show a clear preference for the rail-to-trail option among respondents, the final decision on the corridor’s future will ultimately rest with state leadership as Virginia considers acquisition of the property and the next steps in developing one of the state’s largest proposed shared-use trail projects.