CHESAPEAKE — The design and construction of a regional trail network connecting all South Hampton Roads cities is moving along, though some, like Chesapeake, have experienced delays in coordinating with federal agencies.
The South Hampton Roads Trail ultimately will span 41 miles of old rail right-of-ways and connect Suffolk to Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront, providing shared-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. Each city is designing and constructing its own section, and the regional trail network will connect with others along the way, including the Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension and the Elizabeth River Trail in Norfolk.
The desire for a regional trail started in the early 2000s, when South Hampton Roads cities were obtaining and buying regional right-of-ways from large national rail firms such as Norfolk Southern and CSX, according to a report from the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization. At the time, Suffolk gained a route from its downtown to Chesapeake’s city line…