First Eastern Shore rail-to-trail segment opens to public

Constructed as part of a $3.9 million VDOT construction project underway to deliver the ESRT’s first two segments in Northampton County, the newly completed Cape Charles segment provides residents and visitors with a new 2.2-mile shared-use path for walking and bicycling between Cape Charles and Route 13.

Construction of the project’s Cheriton segment remains underway, as the contractor completes the final remaining items on the project, including signage and pavement markings required in order to safely open this segment to the public. This work is currently anticipated to be complete by the overall project’s contract completion date in mid-fall.

Project highlights: Eastern Shore Rail to Trail Cape Charles, Cheriton segments

The $3.9 million construction contract was awarded to Branscome, Inc., which began construction on the first two segments in April 2025, which include:

• Cape Charles segment. The 2.2-mile segment begins at the intersection of Fig Street and Mason Avenue in Cape Charles and extends to the shopping center near Route 13 (Lankford Highway) and Country Place. This segment also includes the addition of a trailhead parking lot at Mason Avenue and Fig Street.
• Cheriton segment. This 1.4-mile segment continues northward from Route 13 (Lankford Highway) and Country Place to Route 638 (Sunnyside Road) in Cheriton. A new trailhead parking lot has been constructed just north of Country Place. Improvements also include the addition of 0.5 mile of striped bicycle lanes along Sunnyside Road, extending from the shared-use path to Business Route 13 (South Bayside Road).