Department of Public Works staff briefed the Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee Oct. 21 on the Fall Line Trail, a regional shared-use path connecting Ashland to Petersburg, and discussed funding, public engagement and next steps for 14 city segments.

Deputy Director Dyronna Moore Clark said the city’s alignments are intended to deliver economic benefits and to serve as a dedicated, separated facility for bicycles and pedestrians. Staff reported an estimated annual local tax benefit from the trail’s city segments of about $8.8 million, including approximately $6.4 million in local sales, meals and lodging tax revenues; the broader regional economic impact with completion of the city segments was estimated at roughly $326 million annually, figures presented as part of the staff briefing.

Clark described secured funding for several segments: $3.8 million for segment 6B (Bridal Park) with completion scheduled by 2026; funding commitments and design completion for other segments (for example, Kanawha Plaza/Segment 5 referred to in staff materials). Unfunded sections are being pursued through a mix of federal and state sources, including the SmartScale process, Transportation Alternatives (TA), the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) regional funds, CMAQ, potential BUILD/BIL or similar competitive federal grants (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development), and local CIP/CVTA contributions. Staff said they will pursue right-of-way acquisitions where needed and begin public engagement (charrette-style outreach) in early 2026 for selected segments.

Clark highlighted coordination with ongoing development in areas such as the Hermitage Road alignment and noted outreach to Northside neighborhood associations. Committee members commended the regional funding approach and emphasized the need to continue pursuing non-city sources to reduce local capital requirements. Staff said outreach materials and maps are available in the project packet and that planning and design work will continue on funded segments while staff pursues grants for the unfunded links.