This project will construct a 0.53 mile shared-use path between Hooffs Run Drive and South Payne Street (the existing shared-use path between Hooffs Run waterway and South Payne Street will be repaved). An additional 0.25 mile section of the trail is planned to be constructed through redevelopment between Mill Road and Hooffs Run Drive. This project will help address a major gap in the City’s trail system and provide a key link in the bicycle and pedestrian transportation system. The goal of this project is to create a more direct and conflict-free connection for people walking and biking between the Eisenhower East and Southwest Quadrant neighborhoods.

Overall Project Status: Design

This project was identified as one of the top three priority trail projects in the City’s Transportation Master Plan. The trail is also recommended in the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan and supports the City’s Environmental Action Plan by increasing access for sustainable modes of transportation. This project is intended to enhance the City’s multimodal environment and increase local and regional nonmotorized connections to the Eisenhower East area, South Old Town, and the Mount Vernon Trail.

In 2016, the City completed a feasibility study which included a recommendation on the preferred trail alignment and estimated project cost. That same year, the City applied for and was awarded approximately $7.5 million in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation to design and construct the trail. 

PROJECT TIMELINE

Design: Spring 2020-Spring 2025
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Spring 2023-Spring 2025
Construction: Spring 2025-Summer 2028

VDOT Review & Coordination: Ongoing
Community Engagement: Ongoing

Status: Ongoing

Community Feedback on 60% Design Plans

The community was invited to provide feedback on the 60% design plans for Old Cameron Run Trail through December 22, 2021. Thank you for your feedback!

Community Feedback on 30% Design Plans 

In January 2021, the City solicited community feedback on the 30% design plans for Old Cameron Run Trail via an online feedback form. The materials from this community engagement process are provided below:

• Project Presentation
• Proposed Design Plans
• Online Feedback Form
• Summary of Community Comments on 30% Design Plans

Status: 90% Design

• 30% Design Plans
• 60% Design Plans
• 90% Design Plans

Status: Not started; currently planned for 2025

Part of this project is planned to be built along the Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) facility, the City’s Sanitary Sewer Authority. AlexRenew is currently working on RiverRenew, which is a major project to achieve cleaner, healthier waterways in Alexandria. Part of the work for this project is occurring at the same location as the Old Cameron Run Trail, and the two projects cannot be completed at the same time. Under Virginia law, AlexRenew must complete their project by 2025. Therefore, construction on the Old Cameron Run Trail will begin when the RiverRenew project is completed in 2025.

Why will it take until 2025 to complete the project?
Part of the trail is planned to be built along the Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) facility, the City’s Sanitary Sewer Authority. AlexRenew is currently working on RiverRenew, which is a major project to achieve cleaner, healthier waterways in Alexandria. Part of the work for the RiverRenew project is occurring at the same location as the Old Cameron Run Trail project, and the two projects cannot be completed at the same time. Under Virginia law, AlexRenew must complete their project by 2025. Therefore, construction on the Old Cameron Run Trail will begin when the RiverRenew project is completed in 2025.

What is the timeline to build the rest of the trail between Hooffs Run Drive and Mill Road?
Construction on the remaining half of Old Cameron Run Trail between Hooffs Run Drive and Mill Road depends on the redevelopment of Eisenhower East Blocks 22, 24, and 25A. The City does not have firm timelines for when redevelopment will occur on these sites. When redevelopment does occur, the City will coordinate with the developer on the design and installation of the trail as noted in the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan.

Could this project be finished earlier than anticipated?
The full construction funding for this project is not available until Fiscal Year 2025, per the Virginia Department of Transportation, the project grantor. Because of this and the fact that construction cannot begin until the RiverRenew project is finished, it is unlikely the project timeline will be accelerated. 

What is the priority of this project in relation to the flood damage on Holmes Run Trail?
The Old Cameron Run Trail project and the Holmes Run Trail Repairs project are both high priorities for the City and are occurring simultaneously.  

The Old Cameron Run Trail was identified as a priority project in 2016, before the damage to Holmes Run Trail occurred. Additionally, Old Cameron Run Trail was awarded grant funds in 2016 that cannot be used for any other project. There are no funds allocated to Old Cameron Run Trail that could be reallocated to repairing Holmes Run Trail. As part of the FY2021 budget, the City identified repairs to Holmes Run Trail as a priority project and allocated $6 million in local funds to support that project. Design for the Holmes Run Trail Repairs is underway, and updates are available on the project website.

What is the City doing to make bicycling safer along Eisenhower Avenue?
The City is working internally, with the development community, and the community at-large to provide high-quality bicycle infrastructure along Eisenhower Avenue and on parallel and connecting streets. The Old Cameron Run Trail is just one piece of the overall bicycle network. Future planned bicycle connections can be found in the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan.

What is being done to protect the natural resources in the area?
The project is being designed in order to minimize impacts and disturbance to adjacent areas in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act as well as local ordinances. 

Does the project include a landscaping plan? What plants will be installed?  Will tree roots impact the trail later on?
The landscaping plan will be developed as part of the 60% design submission. If new trees are planted, then they will be placed so as not to impact the trail. The trail will be designed to minimize impact to existing vegetation, but some vegetation and trees could be removed in order to build the trail.

What factors informed the design of the bridge?
The bridge is being designed to span the confluence of two waterways, a distance of over 300 feet. The bridge must be higher than the 100-year flood elevation, and lower than the overhead transmission wires. The bridge must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Will trail lighting be provided?
Solar lighting will be provided on the trail.

Are there plans to provide bicycle and pedestrian access across South Patrick Street at Jefferson Street?
No such connection is planned at this time. Wilkes Street is the nearest bicycle route across South Patrick Street, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Chapter of the City’s Transportation Master Plan and the South Patrick Street Housing Affordability Strategy. 

For more information on this project, contact Sara Brandt-Vorel at Sara.BrandtVorel@alexandriava.gov.