The City of Virginia Beach is working on a 12-mile shared-use path, the Virginia Beach Trail (VB Trail), to connect Norfolk to the Oceanfront, changing transportation and recreation across the city.
According to Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, the trail follows the former Southern railroad corridor, a 66-foot-wide city-owned area, allowing for multi-use public space.
The VB Trail has been a top priority in the City’s Active Transportation Plan, which has been in place since 1981. According to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, the trail is a key regional transportation project. It is designed to boost local business, improve tourism, and create a safer transportation network for pedestrians and cyclists.
The VB Trail was first included in the FY24 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), securing funding for the initial phases. In 2022, $750,000 was secured through a community project funding grant. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program received an additional $14.9 million in funding. Now pending approval as of January 2025, VDOT recommends $23.8 million in additional funding through the FT26 Smart Scale Grant for phase four.
The VB Trail begins with Phase 1, which is funded and underway, connecting Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Town Center along the Norfolk Southern alignment. Phases 2-3 continue the process by extending the Town Center section Eastern. Phase 4, which is 2.8 miles and awaiting approval, extends from South Birdneck Road to London Bridge Road.
According to the City of Virginia Beach Department of Parks & Recreation, the easternmost 1.5 miles of the trail have already been completed along Norfolk Avenue near the oceanfront. The remaining seven miles are still in need of design plans and construction funding.
While the VB Trail is widely supported, many concerns remain regarding funding and property & safety concerns. Despite major grants, the remaining seven miles of the trail require additional funding, leaving a majority of the project unclear.
According to Virginia Beach city planners, securing state and federal grants is an ongoing challenge. Questions arise about the maintenance costs as well, since a 12-mile paved trail in coastal Virginia is prone to flooding. Another issue is that the trail runs through residential areas, raising concern about privacy, increased foot traffic, and potential crime.
Overall, city officials still believe that The VB Trail is a long-term investment in the city’s mobility access, however, the debate remains about funding priorities, community impact, and long-term sustainability. The final decisions on future funding and trail expansion will depend on public input and state & federal grants in the coming years.
