Brush cutting and stabilization work to resume along old railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties

SALEM – Residents along the former Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Craig Valley Branch railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties may notice maintenance work continuing on the old railbed starting in mid-November.

In spring 2024, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) began clearing brush and stabilizing the former railbed. These activities are intended to prevent additional deterioration and to help designers who are developing plans for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail.

The Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is a proposed multiuse trail for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding that utilizes the former C&O railbed and some low-volume secondary roads.

VDOT continues to collect data and conduct site visits and field reviews on the railbed. The cost estimate for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is still being refined and a specific schedule for construction has yet to be determined.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board in September 2022 authorized up to $1 million to support preconstruction planning activities for the trail and allocated $12.5 million to the trail project in December 2023 and an additional $6 million in July 2024.

VDOT plans to hold public hearings on the project in 2025. The hearing dates have not yet been announced.