New Virginia Corridor Rail-Trail Opens in Modesto, California:
Promises Future Connections to the Community

A crowd of 150 dignitaries and trail supporters gathered on August 26 to celebrate the opening of Centennial Junction, the first quarter-mile leg of the Virginia Corridor rail-trail in Modesto, Calif. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) was on hand as Western Regional Director Laura Cohen addressed the enthusiastic crowd, applauding the hard work of city staff, civic groups and other partners who had worked for many years to achieve this milestone.

The rail-trail, when complete, will be 4.2 miles long and provide a non-motorized connection to schools, work sites, parks and neighborhoods. The Virginia Corridor will also serve as link to other area trails, including the Hetch Hetchy, Peggy Mensinger and Tuolumne River Regional park trails.

The project got a big boost when various Rotary Clubs of Modesto adopted the rail-trail as their centennial project, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. The Modesto Rotary Clubs donated $500,000 worth of trail improvements, including paving, lighting, landscaping and irrigation.

RTC has been involved with the project since the late 1990s, advising the city on railbanking the corridor—a strategy to preserve a rail corridor under federal statute. RTC was also part of the planning team that produced the Virginia Corridor Specific Plan.