Eastern shore rails to trails (cape charles to route 13)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) a Project Grant totaling $5,298,613 on June 3, 2025, under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205). The project, titled "Eastern Shore Rails to Trails (Cape Charles to Route 13)," involves converting approximately 2.0 miles of abandoned Eastern Shore Railroad right-of-way and Virginia Department of Transportation right-of-way into a multi-use recreational trail in Northampton County and Cape Charles, Virginia. The trail will extend along VA Route 184 West from Fig Street to Country Place, providing enhanced safety and recreational benefits to residents, commuters, and visitors in the region.

This project aligns with the Highway Planning and Construction program's scope of supporting multimodal transportation network improvements and active transportation infrastructure development. As a pedestrian and bicycle project, the Eastern Shore Rails to Trails initiative qualifies for federal funding under the program's eligible activities, which explicitly include recreational trails development and transportation alternatives that enhance community connectivity and mobility beyond traditional highway construction.

Project description

Northampton county; VA route 184 west; from FIG street (T-1105); to country place; to convert approximately two (2.0) miles of the abandoned eastern shore railroad right of way and vdot right of way into a multi-use recreational trail for the safety and benefit of residents, commuters, and visitors.