The Virginia Capital Trail Jimmy Carr Assistant Secretary of Transportation

The Virginia Capital Trail

Jimmy CarrAssistant Secretary of

Transportation

• 1957 Completion of Colonial Parkway to Jamestown

• 1975 Route 5 Scenic Byway Designation

• 1997-99 “Capital to Capital Bikeway” Feasibility Study

• 2003 Preliminary Engineering begins for Eastern Section phases of the Virginia Capital Trail

• 2004 Establishment of Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

• 2005 Construction of James City phases underway East Coast Greenway Corridor Designation

• 2006 Construction of Charles City phase underwayHenrico County Location Study

Project History

• Tourism

• Recreation

• Sustainable Economic Development

• Historic Preservation

• Alternative Transportation • Private/Local Partnerships

Project Objectives

From the Canal Walk in the heart of Richmond’s modern waterfront, to the Governor’s mansion in Colonial Williamsburg, the trail will traverse a unique landscape with unrivaled historic and cultural value.

Project Corridor

The Project

The Project

• Phased Development

• Complex (most expensive) /pressured phases to receive priority

• Local, Private, Inter-Agency Partnerships

• Use of designated funding sources

• Context-Sensitive Design

• Use of Existing Right-of-Way (when possible)

Project Advancement

• 3-mile segment connecting Jamestown Island, Colonial Parkway and Route 5

• Trailhead at Jamestown High School

• 40-Acre Wildlife Preserve Acquisition

• $3M total cost – 30% private/local funds

• Under Construction

Greensprings Phase

• 5-mile/$5M phase • ROW acquisitions drive cost (~40%)• Trail over new Chickahominy bridge• Local funding for park acquisition and

construction, 10% trail construction • Under Construction

Chickahominy Riverfront Phase

• 8-mile / $4M phase • Use of existing ROW• Link to VCU Rice Center• Historic Clerk’s Office renovated for

Visitors Center with restroom facilities• Construction to begin summer 2006

Charles City Courthouse Phase

• Trailhead and interpretive site at Henrico County Park

• Parking and restroom facilities• Locally-managed project• Under Construction

Four-Mile Creek Trailhead

Richmond Riverfront Phase

• Existing Canal Walk to serve as Richmond terminus of the Virginia Capital Trail

• Connection with James River amenities and growing residential area

Richmond Riverfront Phase

• Not-for-profit foundation to work in partnership with public sector

• Independent Board of Directors / staff

• Community liaison

• Private fundraising / right-of-way donation

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

• Richmond Riverfront Phase public involvement process

• Henrico County stakeholder outreach

• Formalize partnership with VCTF

• Prioritize/advance additional phases

Next Steps

• Jamestown 2007

• Rising expense

• Closing window of opportunity

Advancement Timeline

The Virginia Capital Trail

Jimmy CarrAssistant Secretary of

Transportation