In 2015, HRTPO and VDOT staff formed a working group from across the region, including state agencies, local jurisdictions, and bicycle advocacy groups.

The vision of the Birthplace of America Trail study is to connect the Virginia Capital Trail to Fort Monroe (in Hampton) and the South Hampton Roads Trail western terminus (in Suffolk).  For more information on the study, click HERE.

Since the completion of the study, HRTPO staff, locality staff, and advocates have been advocating and planning to promote and complete the trial.  Local advocates started a non-profit foundation, the Tidewater Trail Alliance (TTA), to promote the regional trail.  HRTPO staff, in conjunction with local leaders, started coordinating for the planning and design of key segments of the trail on the Peninsula.  In the Summer of 2021, VDOT and HRTPO staff began working with VDOT's on-call consultant to further analyze key segments further on the Peninsula portion of the trail. This planning effort is currently underway.

Supplemental Studies

Guide for Adding Historical Markers

Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension Timeline*

Below is a history of key events in the formation of the Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension and funded segments along the route.

1999 – Virginia Capital Trail Feasibility Study completed

2003 – Virginia Capital Trail Design initiated

2004 – Virginia Capital Trail Foundation founded

2005 – Construction begins on the Virginia Capital Trail

October 2015 – Construction completed for entire Virginia Capital Trail

Spring 2016 – HRTPO subcommittee (PCVCT aka Paths Connecting to the Virginia Capital Trail subcommittee) formed to identify alignments connecting the Virginia Capital Trail to Fort Monroe and the South Hampton Roads Trail (SHRT) 

December 2016 – HRTPO staff developed an online survey to gain input on prospective routes

June 2017 – Draft Birthplace of America Trail Study posted for public review

October 2017 – Birthplace of America Trail Study approved by the HRTPO Board 

Early 2018 – Formation of the Tidewater Trail Alliance advocacy group

Summer 2018 – The City of Hampton was awarded funding for the Mellen Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Project – Segment I (South Mallory Street to South Willard Avenue) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program

Summer 2018 – The City of Hampton was awarded funding for the Mellen Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Project – Segment I (South Mallory Street to South Willard Avenue) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

Summer 2018 – The City of Hampton was awarded funding for the Mercury Boulevard Road Diet Project – Segment II (North Willard Avenue to Fort Monroe) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

Summer 2019 – York County was awarded funding for the Victory Boulevard (Route 171) Capacity (multi-modal) Enhancements Project (Yorktown Road to Poquoson City Line) through the VDOT SMART SCALE program.

Fall 2019 – The City of Williamsburg was awarded funding for the Compton Drive Shared-use Path (Monticello Avenue to Brooks Street) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

Summer 2020 – The City of Poquoson was awarded funding for the Victory Boulevard (Route 171) Enhancement Project (York County Line to Poquoson Avenue) through the VDOT SMART SCALE program.

Fall 2020 – Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension Peninsula Initiative began

Spring 2021 – The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, on behalf of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and York County, applied for funding for multiple segments of the Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension via the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) RAISE Grant program

Summer 2021 – The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization began working with VDOT's on-call consultant to assist Hampton Roads Peninsula localities in advancing the Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension

August 2021 – Birthplace of America Trail/Virginia Capital Trail Extension Peninsula Initiative Kick-off Meeting

March 2022 - The City of Newport News was awarded funding for the construction of a new multi-use path on Elmhurst Road (from Yorktown Road to Warwick Boulevard) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

March 2022 – The City of Newport News was awarded funding for the construction of a new multi-use path (from Newport News Park to Yorktown Road) via the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program.

October 2022 -The City of Newport News was awarded funding for the BOAT segment from Newport News Park Office to CNHP via a Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) Grant through the Federal Highway Administration.

March 2023 – Planned completion of the Mercury Boulevard Road Diet Project – Segment II (North Willard Avenue to Fort Monroe), located in the City of Hampton.

April 2023 – Planned completion of the Mellen Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Project – Segment 1 (South Mallory Street to South Willard Avenue), located in the City of Hampton.

May 2023 – Planned completion of the Compton Drive Shared-use Path (Monticello Avenue to Brooks Street), located in the City of Williamsburg.

November 2026 – Planned completion of the Multi-use path on Elmhurst Road (from Yorktown Rad to Warwick Boulevard), located in Newport News.

November 2026 – Planned Completion of the Multi-use path (from Newport News Park to Yorktown Road), located in Newport News.

September 2027 – Planned completion of the Victory Boulevard (Route 171) Enhancement Project (York County Line to Poquoson Avenue), located in the City of Poquoson.

December 2027 – Planned completion of the Victory Boulevard (Route 171) Capacity (multi-modal) Enhancements Project (Yorktown Road to Poquoson City Line), located in York County.

2027 – Planned completion of the Pocahontas Trail Multimodal Corridor project (Ron Springs Road to Plantation Road), located in James City County.

*as of December 2022