STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation has launched an online survey to gather public feedback on findings from phases two and three of the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment, and has scheduled three in-person public meetings along the corridor being studied.
The online survey is open now through Wednesday, May 13, and is available at publicinput.com/svrwt.
The public meetings will take place at three locations along the 49-mile rail corridor, with identical information presented at each event. Each meeting runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and will begin with a brief presentation before transitioning to an open-house format, with study team members available to answer questions about information display boards. A court reporter will be present at each meeting to record oral comments.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
Woodstock – Thursday, April 16, 5-7 p.m.
Peter Muhlenberg Middle School cafeteria
1251 Susan Ave., Woodstock, VA 22664
Front Royal – Thursday, April 23, 5-7 p.m.
Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors room
220 N Commerce Ave., Front Royal, VA 22630
Timberville – Tuesday, April 28, 5-7 p.m.
Plains District Community Center, large multi-purpose room
233 McCauley Ave., Timberville, VA 22853
VDOT says public feedback is critical to understanding community perspectives on estimated costs and overall considerations for both “Rail with Trail” and “Rail to Trail” alternatives. Feedback submitted through the online survey carries equal weight to comments provided in person at the meetings. Residents may also contact VDOT directly with input.
The Shenandoah Rail with Trail Assessment is being conducted in three phases and will identify the most likely configuration and costs associated with restoring rail assets and rail bridges and constructing an adjacent trail along a Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor stretching from the town of Broadway in Rockingham County to the town of Front Royal in Warren County.
More information is available at VDOT.Virginia.gov/ShenandoahRailWithTrail.
Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.
