Blue Ridge Railway Trail gets boost in Amherst, Nelson

By Justin Faulconer

Published: July 7, 2008

PINEY RIVER — Surrounded by tranquil waters of the Piney and Tye rivers, an outdoor trail straddling Amherst and Nelson counties could be a walk to remember when complete.

Further development of the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail, which starts close to the Amherst and Nelson border on Virginia 151 and ends about seven miles east near U.S. 29 at the Tye River, is moving along.

Popie Martin, president of the Railway Trail Foundation, and officials from both counties Monday announced imminent and ongoing additions to a 2-mile stretch that already exists.

“It’s going to be a boost to our recreation,” in both counties, said Vernon Wood, chairman of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Nelson County Supervisor Connie Brennan said the trail represents another opportunity to add to the county’s tourism — its premier industry.

Since 2003, people have biked and hiked along a pathway that was a former railway that ran from 1915 to 1981, Martin said. Its history and scenery are reasons the counties and the foundation have worked for almost 10 years, she said, to preserve it.

“It’s been a real labor of love,” Nelson County Administrator Steve Carter said. “We’re seeing our local people take advantage of it.”

The counties own the land the trail’s seven miles traverse, Martin said. She and husband Steve own much property around it and were instrumental in getting the counties involved, which pursued grant funding.

Fred Boger, Nelson’s planning director and project manager for the railway trail, served as the fiscal agent, Carter said.

The partnering between both counties has been exceptional, said Thomas Bruguiere Jr., the supervisor who serves the part of the trail that is in Nelson County.

Federal and state grants, along with private contributions, have helped reconstruct four bridges, improve drainage and install a stone surface on one portion.

Martin also announced the Commonwealth Transportation Board recently approved a $350,000 enhancement allocation for the trail, which Martin said is the biggest grant received to date.

It will allow for completion of the entire trail from Naked Creek to the Tye River, the installation of signs, and securing of a weigh station near the river.

Laying gravel and clearing out portions of the unopened trail should be completed by the summer, Martin said.

Signs along the trail are an important endeavor, she said, because there is so much history along the trail, from the railway’s story to a former plant that once operated beside it to Hurricane Camille’s impact.

Progress is continuing despite a lawsuit filed against Amherst County by a couple owning land along the trail. So far a court has not handed down any rulings to halt upgrades on the trail, though Martin said litigation is still under review.

More than 2,500 volunteer hours have been donated to the trail’s development and upkeep.