STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) – The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a series of public engagement meetings to gather feedback on Phase 1 findings from the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment. An online survey will also be available to the public from Thursday, March 27 until Friday, April 25.

Each of the open-house public engagement meetings will feature identical information and take place at three locations along the 49-mile rail corridor being studied. There will be a formal presentation at 5:15 p.m. followed by an open house to answer questions.

Timberville – Tuesday, April 8, 5-7 p.m.

Plains District Community Center, Large Multi-purpose Room

233 McCauley Ave, Timberville, VA 22853

Front Royal – Thursday, April 10, 5-7 p.m.

Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors Room

220 N Commerce Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630

Woodstock – Tuesday, April 15, 5-7 p.m.

Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Cafeteria

1251 Susan Ave, Woodstock, VA 22664

Citizens can come in anytime during the meeting hours and discuss the study on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and consulting partners. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or via an online survey at this link: https://publicinput.com/svrwt.

The brief survey requests the public’s perspective on the layout, comfort level, and overall considerations for the ‘Rail with Trail’ and ‘Rail to Trail’ alternatives. Submitted feedback has equal value whether shared at a meeting or shared in the online survey.

The Shenandoah Rail with Trail Assessment is being conducted in three phases and will identify the most likely configuration and costs associated with rail asset/rail bridge restoration and constructing an adjacent trail on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County and the Town of Front Royal in Warren County. This alternative will be compared to the ‘Rail to Trail’ option to guide funding decisions by the General Assembly and Commonwealth Transportation Board.

More information is available on the VDOT Study web page at this link: https://VDOT.Virginia.gov/ShenandoahRailWithTrail