The Virginia General Assembly passed the 2023 state budget last week in Richmond. Among the many bills passed, the State Trails Office appropriated approximately $54 million to be allocated to state trail projects (Item 451 #1h). One of those trails receiving funds is the Craig-Botetourt Scenic Trail (listed in the state budget as the “Craig Valley Trail”) which was allocated $12.5 million. Other projects receiving allocations include the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail (“up to $35 million for the purposes of land acquisition, initial planning, and site development”), the Peaks to Creeks trail ($1.25 million), the Tobacco Heritage Trail ($1.25 million), and the Eastern Shore Rail Trail ($4 million).
The item notes “any remaining funding provided for trails shall be allocated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board to the trails listed… or any other trail that has applied for funding that meets the criteria.” The bill order can be found here: https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2023/1/HB1400/Introduced/CA/452/1h/.
Next Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a citizen information meeting at Eagle Rock Elementary School from 4-6 p.m. The meeting will feature VDOT representatives providing information about the proposed project of constructing a 26-mile recreational scenic trail along the former Chesapeake & Ohio Craig Valley Branch railbed between Last Lock Park near Eagle Rock in Botetourt County and Craig County High School near New Castle in Craig County. There will be an additional meeting for New Castle residents Thursday, Sept. 21, from 4-6 p.m. at Craig County High School.
Citizens may review the conceptual plans and project information at the meeting or after at VDOT’s Salem District Office located at 731 Harrison Avenue in Salem, or by calling 540-387-5353, 800-367-7623, or TTY/TDD 711. VDOT asks to please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.
Additionally, citizens may submit written or oral comments at the meetings or may send them to Project Manager Kelly Dunn at the Salem office or emailing CBST@vdot.virginia.gov by Oct. 1. VDOT requests that the subject heading should contain “Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail Comment.” An online survey will be available at www.virginiadot.org/cbst beginning September 20, the day of the first meeting, for citizens to share their comments about the project.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
