Ribbon Cutting

Hanover County leaders, regional and state partners, and enthusiastic trail users gathered in Ashland on Wednesday, Sept. 24, to celebrate the long-awaited opening of Hanover’s 4.8-mile section of the Fall Line trail.  

The new section connects the Ashland Trolley Line Trail, through Hanover County, to Woodman Road in Henrico County, marking the completion of the trail’s first regional segment. When finished, the scenic recreational corridor will span 43 miles across seven localities. 

About the Project

The Fall Line Trail (FLT) is a regional multi-use trail that was conceptualized in 2019. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted a study to determine an alignment for a 43-mile regional trail. The final report was published by VDOT in the 2020, outlining the preferred corridor from Ashland to Petersburg. The trail system was then renamed to reflect the natural and geographic character of the region – The Fall Line Trail. The Trolley Line Trail in Ashland, VA was the first segment of the FLT. This trail led to the idea of expanding the system into a multi-jurisdictional trail system.

The Fall Line trail came together as an opportunity to "connect the dots" of active transportation networks taking shape in the greater Richmond region. Several sections of the trail already existed or were planned in localities’ comprehensive and special area plans, including the existing Ashland Trolley Line and Chesterfield Linear Park as well as the planned Trolley Line Connector in Henrico and Brook Road protected bike lanes in Richmond. Following public hearings in 2022, design is underway. 

Funding Sources

  • Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA): $8.380 Million
    • The CVTA is a regional authority focused on funding transportation projects that benefit Central Virginia.
    • For the Hanover portion of the Fall Line Trail, the CVTA has allocated $8.380 million. This funding comes from regional taxes and fees collected by the CVTA, not from Hanover County's budget.
  • State Funding: $4.990 Million
    • The Commonwealth of Virginia is contributing $4.990 million to the project.
    • These funds are part of state-level initiatives to improve transportation infrastructure and promote recreational opportunities across Virginia.

Additional Resources

 

Visit engage.hanovercounty.gov to get involved with other projects happening here in Hanover County.