Governor Kaine Announces Full Funding of Virginia Capital Trail

Press Release

-- Highlights Administration's transportation and land use initiatives --

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Richmond Riverfront phase of the Virginia Capital Trail. Earlier today the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the revised Six Year Improvement Program which fully funds the remaining phases of the Trail. When complete, the Virginia Capital Trail -- a facility for pedestrians, cyclists, and other recreational users -- will connect the Canal Walk in downtown Richmond with Jamestown and Williamsburg along the James River/Route 5 corridor and Colonial Parkway.

"The Virginia Capital Trail is a great asset for the region and Virginia, promoting healthier lifestyles as well as our unique natural, cultural, and historic resources," said Governor Kaine. "A priority of my Administration was to have the entire Trail either complete or under development and I am pleased to announce that we have accomplished that goal."

The Richmond Riverfront phase of the Trail has been advanced through a partnership between the Commonwealth, the Historic Richmond Riverfront Foundation, Venture Richmond, Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, and the City of Richmond.

"Linking the Commonwealth's old capital of Williamsburg to its current one, the city of Richmond, is a tremendous enhancement for Richmond and Virginia," said Mayor Dwight C. Jones of Richmond. "The multi-use paved trail will provide residents and visitors access to some of the most beautiful vantage points of Virginia and the James River."

This phase of the Trail runs from the Canal Walk to the Great Shiplock Park and was constructed using Evotherm, an environmentally friendly warm-mix asphalt technology donated by Mead Westvaco. Grants from the Historic Richmond Riverfront Foundation provided interpretation exhibits to provide information to Trail users on the rich history of the area

Currently 15 miles of the Trail - the Greensprings, Chickahominy and Charles City Courthouse phases -- are open to the public. The Sherwood Forest, Charles City Courthouse East, New Market Heights and Varina phases of the Trail are all under development. All 55 miles of the Trail should be open to the public by 2014.

"The Capital Trail is a great example of the transportation and land use progress we have made over the last four years to help Virginia grow smarter," said Governor Kaine.

Since 2006 there has been significant progress improving the coordination between transportation and land use planning. Other transportation and land use initiatives include:

* Started the first state funded Intercity Passenger Rail Service between Richmond and DC, and Lynchburg and DC
* Required high growth localities to establish Urban Development Areas incorporating smart growth principles and compact development
* Adopted new Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements to ensure that streets accepted for public maintenance provide public benefit and accommodate all users
* Implemented Traffic Impact Analysis to ensure that local decision makers and citizens have accurate information on the impacts of development proposals
* Developed Access Management Standards to reduce the need for new highways and road widening by improving the performance of the existing highways
* Required urban regions to develop Regional Performance Measures for transportation and land use to provide a more cost effective transportation system

Source