VCC Spring 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2021 16 On May 5, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam made passenger rail dreams come true in Virginia’s New River Valley announcing his Western Rail Initiative, which includes infrastructure and support for a passenger platform in the center of the NRV. “Bringing passenger rail service back to the NewRiverValley will fuel tourism, drive economic growth, and create new opportunities for the region’s 180,000 residents and 40,000 college students,” said Governor Northam. The $257.2 million pending deal with Norfolk Southern Corporation includes acquisition of 28.5 miles of NS track on the old Virginian Line from Salem to Merrimac (between Christiansburg and Blacksburg); Roanoke Yard improvements; and signaling and track upgrades from Salem to Christiansburg, a maintenance facility, and a passenger platform. Improvements elsewhere in the state include a 7-mile siding from Nokesville to Calverton in northern Virginia and infrastructure improvements along the Route29/I-81 corridor. The NRV Passenger Rail Initiative was spawned under the Blacksburg Partnership, a joint economic development group including the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, and the town’s business community. It grew to become a region-wide partnership including every municipal body throughout the New River Valley, as well as the local planning district, and Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College. “We’ve been working for more than seven years on this. Committed regional cooperation coupled with the state’s bold investment and political leadership demonstrate how major infrastructure improvements become reality,” said Ray Smoot, co- chair of NRV Passenger Rail and also the Salem District representative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. NRV Passenger Rail worked for years developing strategies among the municipal bodies and cooperatively seeking legislative support. Senators Kaine and Warner lent early help. Delegate Chris Hurst and Senator John Edwards sponsored legislation creating a passenger station authority. NRV Regional Commission conducted marketing surveys demonstrating demand of 40,000 passengers per year and studied possible station locations. Virginia Tech and Radford University students surely will ride the lines…as will the many Hokie sports fans and eco-tourists seeking southwest Virginia ventures. The state’s acquisition of the old Virginia Line from Salem to Merrimac, through picturesque areas along the Roanoke River’s North Fork, guarantees a station in the center of the New River Valley’s retail hub in the vicinity of Uptown Christiansburg (formerly the NRV Mall) and near U.S. 460. The rail initiative includes an additional round-trip train from Washington D.C to Roanoke beginning in 2022. The state plans to extend those two trains per day into the New River Valley/ Christiansburg in 2025. The state’s support for Amtrak Northeast Regional service to Lynchburg and Roanoke has proven a good investment. Strong ridership demand makes it the most profitable stretch along the line. Gov. Ralph Northam flanked by Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine and Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber Passenger Rail Coming to Virginia’s New River Valley By Larry Hincker Photo by Michaele White/VDOT