One matter is where a New River Valley station will be located.
Work led by the New River Valley Regional Commission recommended some years ago a spot near the Christiansburg Aquatic Center off of North Franklin Street, and the town bought land in that area primarily for that purpose. But a few people close to the passenger rail extension project now say itâs highly unlikely that will happen.
The stateâs approximately $257 million investment into the Western Rail Initiativeâthe program that covers the planned return of passenger rail to the New River Valley and the upcoming addition of another train from Roanoke to Washington D.C.âincludes the acquisition of right of way and track from Norfolk Southern Railway for just under 29 miles of the Virginian Line from the Salem Crossovers to Merrimac.
How Virginia s deal to buy CSX right-of-way, track breaks down across N Va
bizjournals.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bizjournals.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Passenger Rail Returning to Virginia’s New River Valley
Passenger Rail Returning to Virginia’s New River Valley Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The Western Rail Initiative in Virginia calls for an additional round-trip train to Roanoke in 2022, and an extension of Northeast Corridor service from Roanoke to Christiansburg in the New River Valley in 2025.
The Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern (NS) have reached a $257.2 million agreement that will increase existing Amtrak service to Roanoke and expand service to the New River Valley.
The agreement, known as the Western Rail Initiative, calls for:
•
One additional round-trip train to Roanoke in 2022. It will depart Washington, D.C., in the morning and also serve Alexandria, Burke, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville and Lynchburg. The service will complement existing Amtrak Northeast Corridor service that travels northbound from Roanoke in the morn
6 hours ago in Local Photo: Saga Communications
5/5/21
Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway to extend passenger rail service to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979.
Known as the Western Rail Initiative, the $257 million agreement will increase intercity passenger rail service from Roanoke to the Northeast Corridor.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon in Christiansburg, Northam says the rail service will create new opportunities for the region’s 180,000 residents and 40,000 college students.
Part of the initiative includes infrastructure improvements along the Interstate 81 and Route 29 corridor. Tags: #roanoke, charlotttesville, christiansburg, Governor Ralph Northam, Harrisonburg, interstate 81, new river valley, Norfolk Southern Railroad, northeast corridor, route 29, woodstock
MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times
A Norfolk Southern freight train passes Cambria Depot in
Christiansburg where passenger rail service to the area ceased in
1979. On Wednesday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that Virginia has
reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to extend passenger rail
to the New River Valley.
MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times
Donald âDJâ Stadtler, Jr., center, Executive Director of the
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, is charged with implementing the
Western Rail Initiative along with other state transportation
projects.
MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times
Gov. Ralph Northam and Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon
Valentine announced Wednesday that Virginia has reached an
vimarsana © 2020. All Rights Reserved.