RICHMOND, Va. — The Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern have finalized an agreement to extend service to the New River Valley, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam announced last week.
The Roanoke Times reports the agreement will allow for a train between Roanoke and the New River Valley while preserving current freight service. As part of the deal, Virginia will acquire 28 miles of NS’ V Line between Christiansburg, Va., and crossovers in Salem, Va., as well as an easement between the crossovers and the Roanoke Amtrak station. The commonwealth will also invest in infrastructure improvements between Manassas and the Roanoke yard.
Estimates suggest the service will lead to 80,000 new passengers in the first year along the Interstate 81 and Route 29 corridors. An initial agreement was reached in May 2021 [see “Virginia, Norfolk Southern reach agreement …,” Trains News Wire, May 5, 2021]. The deal was finalized following approval by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority board of directors.
“This agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia is a great example of government and business partnership,” NS CEO Jim Squires said in a press release. “Together, we have created a path forward to increase passenger rail service and ensure that freight rail customers continue to move the goods that power our economy.”
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