Norfolk Va. – The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation (ERT) is proud to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program Funds will be used for professional surveying and early-stage design work required to advance the project into the preliminary engineering phase. These activities will focus on portions of the project located on city and privately owned property on either side of the Norfolk Southern rail corridor and will not fund improvements to Norfolk Southern property. The Flyover Bridge will make a more accessible connection between West Ghent/Jeff Robertson Park and Lambert’s Point/The Railyard District along the Elizabeth River Trail.

Currently, trail users traveling between Jeff Robertson Park/West Ghent and Lambert’s Point/the Railyard District must pass through the Hampton Boulevard underpass. The narrow, dark, damp, and noisy passage creates a challenging environment for people walking, biking, and rolling along the trail.
The proposed pedestrian bridge would create an elevated walk-and-bike connection, allowing trail users to travel above the railway rather than through the existing underpass. In addition to addressing a significant safety and accessibility concern, the project has the potential to strengthen connections between Norfolk neighborhoods and create a more comfortable, welcoming experience along this section of the ERT.

“This particular corridor has really been a pain-point for our community as it effectively divides the Lambert’s Point and West Ghent neighborhoods. The Elizabeth River Trail should connect our neighborhoods in a way that feels safe and welcoming for everyone who uses it,” said Kindra Greene, Executive Director of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. “Norfolk Southern’s investment allows us to take an important step toward understanding what’s possible with this connection and having their support behind such a transformative project is so meaningful to the safety of our trail commuters.”
The $50,000 grant will assist with outreach, surveying and modeling work on the proposed pedestrian bridge that will inform future planning and design. Simultaneously, Norfolk Southern will be working on a preliminary engineering study funded by the ERT Foundation. The study will provide ERT and its partners with critical technical information as they consider next steps and requirements for the project.

The grant is part of Norfolk Southern’s commitment to strengthening the communities it serves across its 22-state network. Launched in 2023, Norfolk Southern’s open-application grant programs support organizations working in the areas of safety, sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience.

“The Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that bolster local economies and promote long-term resilience,” said Kristin Wong, Director of the Norfolk Southern Foundation & Community Impact. “From sustainability efforts and job training to community-building programs, the grant empowers nonprofit and community organizations working to create lasting impact.”

About The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides the planning, program, and advocacy for the Elizabeth River Trail, (a designated National Recreation Trail), to connect Naval Station Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Trail. The Elizabeth River Trail runs 10.5 miles through businesses, and historic attractions and is within a 5-minute walk of 28 neighborhoods. The multi-use trail is designed for walking, running, and biking. It comprises 11 sections from Norfolk State University, through Downtown Norfolk and Old Dominion University to NIT Terminals along the Elizabeth River. The Foundation has completed multiple new unique and award-winning amenities, including kayak launches, play sculptures, a double turbo challenge course in Plum Point Park, The Glowline, an ERT hydration station, and most recently a Trailside HQ and outdoor classroom. Major sponsors include CHKD, Vigor Marine/MHI and the City of Norfolk. elizabethrivertrail.org

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes.