First Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Segment Opens to Public as VDOT Nears Completion on Project for Cape Charles, Cheriton Segments

EASTERN SHORE —Following a public ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Eastern Shore Rail Trail Foundation on Thursday, Aug. 20, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) opened the first completed segment of the Eastern Shore Rail to Trail (ESRT) to the public. The event brought together state, local and community partners who helped move forward the longstanding vision for a 49.1-mile trail that will eventually stretch from Cape Charles to Hallwood.  

Constructed as part of a $3.9 million VDOT construction project underway to deliver the ESRT’s first two segments in Northampton County, the newly completed Cape Charles Segment provides residents and visitors with a new 2.2-mile shared-use path for walking and bicycling between Cape Charles and Route 13. 

Construction of the project’s Cheriton Segment remains underway, as the contractor completes the final remaining items on the project, including signage and pavement markings required in order to safely open this segment to the public. This work is currently anticipated to be complete by the overall project’s contract completion date in mid-fall.  

Project Highlights: Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Cape Charles, Cheriton Segments  
The $3.9 million construction contract was awarded to Branscome, Inc., which began construction on the first two segments in April 2025, which include:   

• Cape Charles Segment The 2.2-mile segment begins at the intersection of Fig Street and Mason Avenue in Cape Charles and extends to the shopping center near Route 13 (Lankford Highway) and Country Place. This segment also includes the addition of a trailhead parking lot at Mason Avenue and Fig Street.   

• Cheriton Segment This 1.4-mile segment continues northward from Route 13 (Lankford Highway) and Country Place to Route 638 (Sunnyside Road) in Cheriton. A new trailhead parking lot has been constructed just north of Country Place. Improvements also include the addition of 0.5 mile of striped bicycle lanes along Sunnyside Road, extending from the shared-use path to Business Route 13 (South Bayside Road).   

For more information on the Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Cape Charles and Cheriton Segments Project, visit https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/hampton-roads-district/eastern-shore-rail-to-trail-project---cape-charles-and-cheriton-segments/. 

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.