Williamsburg Expands Virginia Capital Trail with New Pathway

The new segment of the Virginia Capital Trail offers beautiful views and promotes outdoor activities.

News Summary

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation has announced a significant expansion of the Capital Trail, adding approximately 7.5 miles of new pathway connecting Jamestown High School to Colonial Williamsburg. This expansion will enhance regional connectivity and outdoor recreation opportunities, with support from local organizations and various funding sources. Additionally, the new segment will connect to the proposed TRAIL757 project, aiming to create a long-distance trail system across the region. The trail expansion reflects a commitment to improving community engagement and promoting health through outdoor activities.

Williamsburg, Virginia – The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF) has announced a significant expansion of the Capital Trail, which will add approximately 7.5 miles of new pathway. This development, revealed on July 18, 2025, will add a crucial segment connecting Jamestown High School to South England Street in Colonial Williamsburg. This expansion has long been a priority for the VCTF, and its realization comes with the support of various local governing bodies and organizations dedicated to enhancing regional connectivity.

The partnership with the Tidewater Trails Alliance (TTA) is key to facilitating this expansion. Reed Nester, the chair of TTA, has spoken about the excitement surrounding the collaboration aimed at creating a safer and more connected trail system for the community. The estimated cost of this expansion ranges from $25 million to $33 million. Funding for this large-scale project will be sourced from a combination of government grants, donations from private foundations, individual contributors, and corporate partners, ensuring broader community involvement in its funding structure.

The Virginia Capital Trail itself is an extensive 51.7 miles long and is fully paved. It passes through several important areas including Richmond, Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County. The trail was founded in 2004, and the first section, an 8-mile stretch in Charles City County, began construction in 2008. This new expansion aims to enhance the existing trail experience and create a unified route from Richmond to Hampton Roads.

Significantly, the new trail segment will connect directly to the proposed TRAIL757, which aspires to develop a long-distance trail spanning a total of 90 miles. TRAIL757 aims to connect critical locations including Williamsburg, York County, Newport News, Hampton, and Fort Monroe. Future sections of TRAIL757 are proposed to cross the James River, potentially linking up with other regional trails leading toward Virginia Beach.

The estimated overall cost for the TRAIL757 project stands between $240 million and $300 million. Various local officials have voiced their full support for the Capital Trail expansion and the broader TRAIL757 initiative. Officials from the City of Williamsburg, such as City Council member Ayanna Williams and Mayor Douglas Pons, have emphasized the anticipated benefits of this project for community connectivity and outdoor recreation.

Complementing these plans, the College Woods trail loop in Williamsburg is also in development, which aims to connect with TRAIL757. This project is structured across multiple phases, with Phase 1 already completed and Phase 2 currently in the design stage. Phase 3 is expected to further enhance pedestrian and cyclist access in the area.

The City Council in Williamsburg is actively pursuing additional funding opportunities to support these initiatives, including a grant request to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for $2.5 million, supplemented by a local match of $838,000. VDOT is anticipated to make a decision regarding the funding request in June 2026.

In summary, the Virginia Capital Trail expansion is not only a step toward improving recreational opportunities within the Williamsburg area but also facilitates a vision for a more extensive continuous trail system across the region. This advancement reflects a commitment to enhancing outdoor activities, promoting health and wellness, and fostering community engagement through increased trail accessibility.