AGENDA DATE: 2/18/2026
TITLE:
Three Notched Trail Master Plan Project Update
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Presentation on the ongoing Three Notched Trail Shared-Use Path Master Plan
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Svoboda, Barnes, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County was awarded just over $2,000,000 in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funds to develop a Master Plan for a future Three Notched Trail Shared Use Path connecting Charlottesville to the Blue Ridge Tunnel at Afton. The trail is intended for use by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and other non-motorized users, and is anticipated to provide broad-ranging community benefits including health benefits, tourism growth, and economic development. Similar trails, such as the Virginia Capital Trail, have delivered these types of benefits on a local, regional, and statewide scale. The scope of the Master Plan includes four major planning tasks:
- Evaluate route options and conduct an alternatives analysis of up to three potential path alignments
- Conduct stakeholder and public engagement to determine a preferred alignment;
- Reach functional (30%) design for priority sections of the preferred alignment; and
- Develop an implementation plan for the shared use path that identifies segments of the alignment that would have independent utility if constructed separately.
This is a planning grant only and additional funding must be sought for project construction. Staff finalized the grant agreement with FHWA and released an RFP for consultants in early April 2024. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) along with sub-consultants Toole Design and EPR, were chosen and a Notice to Proceed was issued in February 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure & Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: The County’s consultant team of VHB, EPR, and Toole Design will provide an update on the Master Plan process, focusing on the project background, characteristics of shared use paths, community engagement, technical analysis, and trail route options. The second Public Meeting for the project was held on December 4 at which the three potential route options were presented for public feedback (Attachment A). A survey allowed community members to provide input on those route options. In addition to a summary of Master Plan work completed to-date, the consultants will outline the next steps in determining a preferred route for the trail.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact. This is an update on a project that is fully funded through a federal grant with the only cost to the County being staff time to manage the effort.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board receive the Three Notched Trail Project Update; ask any questions they have and provide feedback to the project team.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Potential Route Options Maps