Fall Line Trail in the City of Richmond

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 winter of 2020, outlining the preferred corridor from Ashland to Petersburg. Due to the natural and geographic character of this region where both the Piedmont plateau and Atlantic Coastal Plain meet, the trail system was renamed – The Fall Line Trail. The FLT provides, through a multi-jurisdictional trail system, opportunities for active transportation, recreation and economic development across the region.  

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 Trail  and  Chester Linear Park , and planned Trolley Line Connector in Henrico, Brook Road protected bike lanes in Richmond, and the  Northern Jefferson Davis Special Area Plan  in Chesterfield. A natural corridor for a long-distance trail began to emerge that would provide opportunities for active transportation, recreation, and economic development.

• Ashland Trolley Line Trail in Ashland (existing)
• Chester Linear Park in Chesterfield
• Trolley Line Connector in Henrico (planned)
• Brook Road protected bike lanes in Richmond

A natural corridor for a long-distance trail began to emerge that would provide opportunities for active transportation, recreation, and economic development.

Regional trails have huge impacts for local economies and residents alike! They create great places to exercise, great spaces for recreation, and create much needed connectivity between modes, connecting travelers to other walking, biking, and bus-riding facilities. Read a little more below about the benefits.

• HEALTH Trails increase a community's opportunity to get outside, be active and stay healthy.  [read more]  

• SAFETY Dedicated biking and walking infrastructure ensure that our most vulnerable transportation users can travel safely.  [read more] 

• CLIMATE BENEFITS In Virginia, vehicle travel is the top producer of greenhouse gas emissions. Biking and walking are zero-emission travel methods. [read more] 

• ECONOMIC IMPACT Multi-use trails encourage activity, tourism, and stimulate job creation.  [read more] 

• MULTI-MODAL The Fall Line will contribute to a network of safe biking/walking infrastructure and connect with transit. 

• GREEN SPACE The Fall Line courses through natural landscapes. In urban corridors like Commerce Road and Route 1, linear parks like the Low Line can be introduced.  [read more] 

A 13-mile segment of the 43-mile regional Fall Line Trail (FLT) will run through the City of Richmond. Explore the simple map to the right, or tour below to see the planned City of Richmond alignment and segment notes for the project, as well as some landmarks the trail will highlight!

If you are interested in exploring maps of the full trail and funding for the segments, not just the elements in the City of Richmond, please visit:

F all Line | Trail Maps (falllineva.org). 

The project is likely to occur in several phases, with the downtown corridor up first for more detailed planning and implementation.

Level 1: These projects pose minimal impact, and have no significant impact to adjacent properties and the surrounding community, or will be of short duration and pose no disturbance to the existing local community transportation system.

Level 2: Projects would have light impact to adjacent properties, but not significant impacts that require redesign and/or realignment from current VDOT segment assumptions.

Level 3: Projects would have moderate impact to adjacent properties, but not significant impacts that require redesign and/or realignment from current VDOT segment assumptions.

Level 4: These projects may have significant impact on adjacent properties and the community. They require reassessment, redesign, and realignment or are large-scale efforts in terms of construction from current VDOT segment assumptions.

For a more in-depth review, the full Public Engagement Plan is linked below this storymap on the main webpage.

VDOT held two public information meetings on September 30 and October 1, 2019 on the Ashland to Petersburg Trail Study (later renamed the Fall Line Trail) to present the recommended preferred corridor. Meeting materials can be found below:

•  Public Meeting Display Boards - September/October 2019 
• More info from this stage of outreach:  Ashland to Petersburg Trail Study - Projects | Virginia Department of Transportation (virginiadot.org) 

On April 29, 2022, OETM, PRCF, and members of the Friends on Bryan Park met on site to walk the potential routes being considered for the Fall Line Trail. Three potential routes were discussed and walked. A map showing these routes is attached. The PRCF compromise route was chosen over the VDOT proposed route and a third potential option on Jordan's Branch Kane due to length, budget, design requirements, slope, location of park amenities, and a current lack of off-road connectivity between park amenities and other factors.

Two public meetings were held, Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond South/Southpark Capital Ballroom in Colonial Heights. Meeting materials can be found below:

•  Location Public Hearing Displays 

•  VDOT Meeting Information 

On April 22, 2024, OETM, DPW, PRCF, and the trail design consultants met with the friends of Brian Park to review the trail layout, tree impact study, and to answer questions. On June 5, 2024, OETM, DPW, PRCF, and the design consultants from Timmons held an open house at Shelter 1 in Bryan Park to review the layout, tree impact study, and answer questions.

On June 6, 2024, the Urban Design Committee review the FLT Bryan Park Segment. In the review, the project team agreed to plant 11 additional trees to remediate any potential impacts to existing trees. UDC approved the proposal through their public meeting. On June 18, 2024, the Planning Commission approved the FLT Bryan Park Segment.

 Friends of Fall Line , a partner and advocate for this project, has been instrumental in raising awareness and community outreach for this project.

 Sports Backers , the advocacy group behind Friends of Fall Line, put together this fun video to open minds to the possibilities of what the FLT could bring to the region!

The City of Richmond is working with stakeholders to develop next steps for the segments in the City limits. The current outreach revolves around review of the draft design guidelines which can be found in "Trail Design Guidelines Draft" tab (or keep scrolling to find it below).

The Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) has convened a Fall Line Trail working group to implement this multi-jurisdictional project. The meetings are roughly every other month, depending on decisions needed. More information and agendas for future and past meetings can be found at  CVTA Fall Line Working Group | Plan RVA  .

Send general questions, concerns, or ideas to the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility within the City of Richmond's department of public works. The team can be reached at connects@rva.gov or 804-646-3318 for an answering service where you can leave a phone message for the team.

Want to get some details of how the trail is being designed? Read and comment below on the draft set of design guidelines.

1.       When will the trail be completed?

• The Fall Line Trail is a multijurisdictional project that traverses several County and City boundaries. Each jurisdiction is responsible for the implementation of their own sections, with the regional body, PlanRVA, serving as the coordinator for the general project. Some segments outside of Richmond have been in planning and project development for years and are closer to build-out than the Richmond segments.

• The first segment Richmond anticipates work to begin on is from the Manchester Bridge to the intersection of Duval and N. 1 ^st  Street. The timeframe for this segment is now until approximately 2025. The remainder of the trail segments will continue to be engineered and implement as funding becomes available.

• A reasonable timeframe to expect the entirety of the trail to be completed is 2035

2.       How do I get involved?

• Sign up for the mailing list and submit general questions and comments in the form above. You can also leave us a message at 804-646-3533 (see ‘Stay Tuned & Submit Comments tab above).

• Invite the FLT team to come talk to your neighborhood association or community meeting.

3.       Who is in charge of planning for Fall Line Trail?

• The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico, cities of Colonial Heights, Petersburg, and Richmond, and the Town of Ashland are all collaborating to plan the FLT trail, with the assistance from PlanRVA. Friends of Fall Line Trail is also helping advocate for its completion.

• As funding is allocated to various segments of the Fall Line Trail, additional design and detailed engineering evaluations of each segment will be conducted prior to project construction.*  *(  FallLine Trail - Projects | Virginia Department of Transportation (virginiadot.org) )

4.       Who is responsible for funding the Fall Line Trail? How is the Fall Line Trail being funded?

• Each section has to be funded through various funding sources. Currently, segments are funded through CVTA regional funds, federal transportation funds and state dollars. In general, the jurisdiction where each segment lies must apply for available funding for those sections.

5.       Will the trail use existing bike lanes?

• The FLT will utilize existing bike lanes in some segments and will require new construction in others. The exact design of each segment will determine the specifications of design and location.

• In the parts of the trail existing bike lanes will be utilized and enhanced.  Multi-use trail facilities along existing roadways, paths/trails, abandoned railways, utility transmission corridors and new locations must meet the design guidelines established for the FLT . Please comment on the design guidelines above and send segment specific questions or comments in the comment portal above.  (See design guidelines above or  here) . 

6.       Will the trail disrupt historical neighborhoods and sites?

•   As with all transportation projects, detailed design and engineering must be completed before moving into construction. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) mandates that impacts to historical resources be documented and mitigated. The trail will minimize impacts to any environmental or cultural resources, as they will be key features along the trail to visit and highlight for visitors. It would be counterintuitive to impact resources, such as historical neighborhoods, that can draw many visitors to the trail. Each section of the trail will be granted environmental clearance before construction.

7.       Will the trail connect with the Capital Trail and existing trail networks? 

• In the City of Richmond the FLT does not directly intersect with the Capital Trail, but cyclists and pedestrians can easily connect via the gridded street network of downtown to jump east of the FLT to connect to the Capital Trail. The FLT may also ultimately provide access to the trails around the floodwall, but the exact nature of those connections will be determined in the design phase.  

8.       Will the trail destroy existing street trees and greenery?

• As with all transportation projects, detailed design and engineering must be completed before moving into construction. The City will undergo a detailed design analysis for various sections of the trail and impacts to natural resources will be documented, mitigated or avoided. The City will minimize as many impacts to any environmental or cultural resources, as necessary based on city arborist policies and public input.

9.       Will the trail increase traffic?

• The trail’s impacts were studied by VDOT and are not anticipated to increase traffic volumes as this is a bike and pedestrian only trail. In portions of the trail where traffic may be impacted, the City will perform traffic analyses on a segment by segment basis.

10.   How will equity be considered in the planning and design of the Fall Line Trail?     

• The City understands that past institutional and structural injustices rooted in discriminatory policies and planning can impact access to quality transportation options, including trails, to its citizens.  The City believes that every person regardless of race, gender, geography, income, age, ability, or minority status deserves access to free, accessible and safe places where they can walk, bike and be active.  The FLT traversing through the Southside of Richmond into Downtown is a great example of the City intentionally removing barriers and providing solutions to wellness, economic and mobility challenges for traditionally underserved communities—for the better.

11.   Will the Bridge Park be part of this project?

• Elements of the bridge park concept will be integrated into the design of the Manchester Bridge crossing. It will include planters, lighting, and the trail across the bridge being raised such that views of the river are maintained, while keeping with the idea of the bridge being a transportation asset for the City of Richmond.   

12.   Why not use the T. Potterfield Bridge instead of the Manchester Bridge? 

• The T. Potterfield Bridge was determined, by the Department of Public Works, to not have the capacity to handle the foot and bike traffic safely that will be utilizing the Fall Line Trail.

13.   Where else can I find information on the Fall Line Trail?          

•  Fall Line | Home (falllineva.org 
•  FallLine Trail - Projects | Virginia Department of Transportation (virginiadot.org)