18 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Richmond, VA Times-Dispatch, 9/24/15:

 

Tobacco panel gives Bristol grant for passenger rail study

 

 

The city of Bristol has received a $250,000 grant to study the feasibility of extending Amtrak service from Roanoke to other sites.

Story here.   Good to see the pre-planning, but on the other side of the coin let's get to Roanoke!

 

Bristol, VA is about 150 miles past Roanoke, so assuming 79 mph speeds it would be under 2 hours after the  Roanoke stop.  Bristol is a twin city with Bristol, TN, which shares a border right down the middle of the main drag even though the two cities have separate governments. So by extension a city in Tennessee would also be served.

[KevinKorell]

Bristol, VA Herald-Courier editorial, 6/1/17:

 

 

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Volunteer state should volunteer with Amtrak

 

The only thing louder than the whistle of an Amtrak train right now is Bristolians’ excitement over the successful results of the passenger rail service feasibility study.

 

Editorial

[KevinKorell]

Bristol, VA Herald-Courier, 5/27/17:

 

 

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Passenger rail effort for Bristol remains on track

 

 

Regular passenger rail service to the Twin City ended in 1971, but a long-held dream of people again boarding and disembarking through the revitalized former Union Station appears to be edging closer to reality.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Roanoke, VA Herald-Courier, 10/30/17:

 

 

Bristol delegation attends Roanoke Amtrak celebration

 

A Twin City delegation attended Monday’s ceremony welcoming Amtrak to Roanoke, in a continuing effort to try and attract passenger rail service here.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Column in Bristol, VA Herald-Courier, 11/5/17:

 

 

 

All aboard Amtrak fever in Bristol

 

 

Trains have been coming and going into Bristol since the 19th century. Early on, they brought people and, for a time, wounded soldiers fresh from Civil War battles.

 

Column

[KevinKorell]

WJHL-TV, Channel 11 in Johnson City, TN, 1/12/18:

 

 

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Bristol, VA city leaders seeking proposals for Amtrak study

 

 

 

Bristol, Virginia is still working toward getting Amtrak passenger rail service for the city and is preparing to take the next step.

The city is seeking proposals from consulting firms to conduct an in depth study on the impact of Amtrak rail service in Bristol.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

Southwest Virginia Today, 1/23/18:

 

Local officials studying possibility of bringing Amtrak station to region

 

Officials from Washington County and Bristol, Virginia, met jointly last week to discuss the possibility of bringing passenger rail back to Southwest Virginia.

 

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Roanoke, VA Times, 4/4/18:

 

Bristol council members tout regionwide impact of extending Amtrak through Southwest Virginia

 

 

The impact of extending passenger rail service to the Twin City would be felt far beyond its borders.

 

That was the general message Tuesday to consultants developing an economic impact study of what Amtrak service might mean to this area and what this area might mean for Amtrak. The city, Bristol Chamber of Commerce and local rail coalition are working to extend service from Roanoke to the Twin City.

 

 

Update

[Sloan]

From 4-6-18 RPA Hotline

 

 

City officials in Bristol, VA and contractor AECOM, are looking into the positive and far-reaching economic effects of extending Amtrak service from Roanoke to Bristol. AECOM, a consulting firm, is now developing an economic impact study and looking at what possibilities exist if Bristol were to become a transit and travel hub for the area. If Bristol is able to obtain Amtrak service, it would mean that nearly all Virginia residents would live within an hour’s drive of an Amtrak station.

“We’re talking with as many people as we can in the greater Bristol area to ask these questions about economics and what the train would allow you to do that you can’t do now,” said Jill Cahoon, an AECOM transit planner, during a meeting with stakeholders. “We’re trying to get an idea of what economic development would be possible and ... information about economic benefit because of the train.”

AECOM’s study will cost about $160,000 and is expected to be completed by August 31. In addition to AECOM collecting economic and anecdotal data, the consultants plan to survey NASCAR race fans and riders at both Lynchburg and Roanoke to learn about spending and travel patterns and prepare ridership models.

 

[KevinKorell]

WCYB-TV, Channel 5 in Bristol, VA, 10/26/18:

 

 

Bristol Resort and Casino could help secure Amtrak service to Tri-Cities, leaders say

 

 

There's a renewed push to extend Amtrak passenger service from Roanoke to Bristol.

 

 

Story