Presentation Topic: Trolley Line/Fall Line Trail
Registration: Registration for this event is now closed.
This will be a hybrid-style meeting (virtual and in-person). This month the speaker will be in-person. Virtual attendees will still be able to interact with the speaker through the chat window to ask questions.
Abstract: From 1907 until 1938, an electric trolley ran between Richmond and Ashland. The trolley route began at a Richmond Depot on West Broad Street and Laurel Street and ran north across Bacon’s Branch Ravine, and then north on Brook Road past Laburnum. It ended at a trolley station at the corner of Maple and England Streets in Ashland. Due to financial challenges, the trolley stopped running in 1938. The rails were removed and sold, and Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) purchased the right-of-way.
In 1945, a portion of the right-of-way was transferred to Hanover County for a road project that was never completed. The Town of Ashland later acquired the Town portion of the right-of-way from Hanover County. At that time, part of the right-of-way in Town was a dirt and gravel walking trail and the rest was being used as a private drive for a business.
Town staff began working with regional partners to encourage interest in creating a trail similar to the Capital Trail along the entire the old Trolley Line right-of-way. Enthusiasm spread and plans for a regional trail from Ashland to Petersburg began to take shape. The Town was granted Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding to construct the part of the trail adjacent to the private road (which is now a public road) and engaged Timmons Group to develop design plans and assist in construction management. When construction was almost finished, then Governor Ralph Northam endorsed plans for the regional trail and unveiled its new name of the Fall Line Trail.
Ingrid Stenbjørn, PE, Ashland Town Engineer and Sheila Reeves, PE, Senior Project Manager with Timmons Group, will present the historical context of the project, construction process and challenges encountered during the design and construction of the initial phase of the Fall Line Trail.
Presenters: Ingrid Stenbjørn, PE and Sheila Reeves, PE, CFM
Ingrid Stenbjørn, PE – Town Engineer, Town of Ashland, has served as Town Engineer for the Town of Ashland for 18 years. Prior to her current position, she held positions with VDOT, DEQ and private consulting companies. Her diverse background prepared her for her current position where she oversees, designs and manages a wide variety of projects including stormwater management, drainage, roads and sidewalk, site development and building construction. Ms. Stenbjørn holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia. She is also a proud graduate of J. Sargeant Reynold Community College. In her free time, she teaches Engineering classes at Bright Point Community College, travels, hikes, teaches yoga and plays with her dog.
Sheila Reeves, PE, CFM – Senior Project Manager, Timmons Group, has worked with Timmons Group for 9 years of her 24-year career in Civil Engineering. During her career in private consulting, her career has focused on regulatory compliance consulting for stormwater and floodplain management, stormwater management engineering, water resources engineering, and general civil/land development engineering. Ms. Reeves earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and 2 dogs, supporting her children’s activities, and spending time on the water.
Thank you to our sponsor Timmons Group!
Recognized for over 30 years as one of Engineering News Record’s Top 500 Design Firms, Timmons Group provides civil engineering, environmental, GIS/geospatial technology, structural, geotechnical, landscape architecture, and surveying services to a diverse client base. For more information, visit www.timmons.com.
When: Thursday, September 14th, 2023
11:45 AM -12 PM – Sign in and Networking
12 PM -1PM – Presentation
Where: 2810: a community gathering place, 2810 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
(Reserved parking spaces on both sides of building and in gravel lot located through gate)
(Virtual attendees will receive a Teams Meeting)
Registration Price:
In Person Members: $20 members
In Person Non-Members: $25
In Person Late Ticket: $30
Virtual Individual: $10
Virtual Conference Room: $40*
*For viewing as a company group; as professionals we expect attendees to purchase this option when group sharing rather than as an individual ticket.
Lunch is included with purchase of an in-person ticket (Local Carytown Favorites)
PDH: 1.0 HR