VDOT says trail easement affecting Craig County school property is limited to existing communications pole; board seeks clearer coordination language

Todd Zion, a Virginia Department of Transportation right-of-way agent, told the Craig County School Board that the utility easement proposed for the Craig–Botetourt Scenic Trail would be minimal and would apply only to the communications pole currently in place. "That easement is just the pole is going to remain in place as is," Zion said, describing the proposed push pole bolted to the existing communication pole for support.

Board members raised two recurring concerns: that the easement language read as perpetual might allow later third parties or future utilities to “piggyback” on the easement, and that construction or maintenance near school entrances should be coordinated with the district to avoid operational disruptions. "I didn't see any bounds around it being specifically for the current project or current equipment," one board member said, seeking restrictions and coordination requirements.

Zion responded that the form easement VDOT uses — reviewed by the attorney general's office — is limited to the communications equipment that exists today and does not automatically permit unrelated utilities to use the same grant. He also said construction is planned when school is not in session and offered to work with the board and VDOT counsel to add coordination language and address red-line concerns.

Mr. Lipsch, who said he has worked on soil and drainage issues for the project, described design elements intended to reduce ponding and improve runoff, including a dry swale and improvements to an existing drainage channel. VDOT and district staff said temporary construction easements would be restored at project completion and that work on fencing and guardrails will follow current safety standards.

No formal board action was taken. VDOT offered to follow up with revised easement language and a direct point of contact for the district.