Leaders in the RVA757 megaregion envision a system of trails connecting the Richmond and Hampton Roads region, including a route from Richmond to the oceanfront in Virginia Beach. A large portion of this system is the planned Birthplace of America Trail (BoAT) comprised of two routes: 1) Peninsula route: from the existing Virginia Capital Trail (Richmond to Jamestown) to Fort Monroe in Hampton, and 2) Southside route: from the existing Virginia Capital Trail (via Jamestown Ferry) to Suffolk. For more information on the original 2017 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. UPC #113466

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. UPC #113464

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. UPC #115524

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. UPC #114245

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. UPC #115524

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. UPC #121110

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. UPC #121108

October 2022 -The City of Newport News was awarded partial 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.

June 2023 – York County was awarded funding for the construction of the BOAT Trail – Hampton Highway Segment project via SMARTSCALE funding. UPC # 123055

June 2023 – The City of Hampton was awarded funding for the construction of Fort Monroe Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements – Stillwell Drive project via SMARTSCALE funding. UPC # 123170

June 2023 – The City of Hampton was awarded funding for the construction of the Tide Milll Pedestrian Improvements project via SMARTSCALE funding. UPC # 123163

*as of August 2023