County of Northampton

Northampton County, VA Resolution Supporting Rails to Trials 

"Canonie Atlantic Company filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board to discontinue service and end its common carrier obligation to provide freight rail service over the approximately 49.1 miles of rail line in Accomack and Northampton Counties; and the Surface Transportation Board decided on October 31, 2019 to approve Canonie Atlantic Company's petition for abandonment of service. The Boards of Supervisors of Accomack and Northampton Counties believe that it is in the best economic, recreational, health and tourism interests of their citizens that the Canonie Atlantic Company's 49.1 miles of abandoned rail line be converted to a world-class rails-to-trails project. 

The Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail Association with support from the Virginia Bicycling Federation has petitioned the Surface Transportation Board to approve a Certificate or Notice of Interim Trail Use to work with the Accomack-Northampton Transportation District Commission, Canonie Atlantic Company, and the Counties of Accomack and Northampton. It is in the best interest of Accomack and Northampton Counties to negotiate with the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail Association as a step in achieving the Counties' overarching goal of developing a world-class Eastern Shore Rail-to-Trail." 

Source: Northampton County, VA Resolution Supporting Rails to Trails

• Bikes and Hikes
  • Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail
  • Public-Use Bike Repair Stations
  • Nature Trails
  • Healthy Walks
  • Rails to Trails

Video by VDOT Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Study Team

More information can be found at the Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Study.

UPDATES: 

August 2024: Birdsnest to Onley 

This 17-mile section is also funded with a federal grant for $23.5M. An engineering firm has been secured for preliminary work to be completed by the end of  September 2024. Once that work is successfully completed, construction will begin Spring 2025.

Current Funding Efforts

Accomack and Northampton counties submitted SMART SCALE applications to fund trail segments from Parksley to Onley and from Birdsnest to Cheriton. The latter would fully fund the Northampton County segments of the rail trail. Only a short section of trail in Accomack would be unfunded.  

May 2024: Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Projects - Cape Charles and Cheriton segments 

Estimated cost of the project: $6.55 million

Estimated start date: Spring 2025
Estimated completion date: Summer 2026

Cape Charles segment: 2.17 miles
Cheriton segment: 1.4 miles

The Bay Coast Railroad has 49.1 miles of railbanked corridor that, which offers a primarily flat and straight right of way, providing opportunities to connect communities, businesses, and state and federal parks throughout Northampton and Accomack counties with a shared-use path. The first of the Eastern Shore Rail to Trail projects will construct two segments of a shared-use path connecting the towns of Cape Charles and Cheriton. Construction of the path will occur largely within right of way managed by operators of the railroad, Canonie Atlantic, supplemented by minor sections using preexisting VDOT right of way. 

This segment of the rail trail is federally funded with a $2.5 million grant. VDOT is in the Design Phase for this segment and plans to begin construction Spring 2025. The projected completion date is no later than Summer 2026. The trail will begin in Cape Charles at Rayfield's
Pharmacy with a trailhead and parking lot. It will continue along the rail corridor east to Rt.13 at Food Lion, then continue up to Sunnyside Rd. in Cheriton. 

June 2023:  RAISE GRANT FUNDING: $23,251,485 million

Project Description: This project will convert an approximately 16.8-mile segment of the abandoned Bay Coast Railroad to a 10-foot shared-use path starting at the Town of Nassawadox and connecting to several historic towns until its terminus in the Town of Olney. The project will include the construction of right-turn lanes at approximately four intersections on US-13. In three trailhead locations, park and ride facilities will be installed along with bus shelters, benches, and trash receptacles.

First Phase of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail Funded  
2.3 miles of Cape Charles to Route 13 

September 2022: Funding $2.5 million
The first segment of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail (ESRT) was one of three community projects selected to receive federal funding on the Eastern Shore. Congresswoman Elaine Luria presented a check to the Accomack Northampton Transportation District Commission (ANTDC) for $2.5 million in order to fund a segment of the future Eastern Shore Rail Trail in Cape Charles. The project includes engineering, survey, and design in addition to the construction of approximately 2.3 miles of a 10' wide multi-use trail. Traffic signal modification and three intersection improvements are also included in the project. The start date for construction of this segment is to be determined.