26 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Roanoke, VA Times, 1/4/21:

 

   Bills to create passenger rail authority keeps NRV Amtrak plan on track  

 

 

The Virginia General Assembly has given initial approval to two versions of legislation to create a passenger rail authority in the New River Valley as plans chug along to extend Amtrak to Christiansburg.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 2/23/21:

 

 

    State, local leaders all aboard plan to build an Amtrak station in the New River Valley    

 

The Virginia General Assembly is all aboard a plan to build a new Amtrak station in the New River Valley.

 

On Monday, a bill to establish the NRV Passenger Rail Authority passed.

 

The latest

 

The news story does not mention whether costs are included to make Christiansburg a terminus station (whether temporarily or permanently), which involves a safe and secure storage place for the train consist overnight.   Lynchburg had it, and now Roanoke has it.  I am hoping the intent is to eventually get down to Bristol (station platform in Bristol, VA but Bristol, TN is across the street) so that endpoint might move again.

[KevinKorell]

Greater Greater Washington, 3/22/21:

 

 

   More rail could be coming to Southwest Virginia    

 

 

Although the General Assembly approved an $83.5 million budget amendment this session, in part to extend passenger rail service deeper into Southwest Virginia, that doesn’t change the fact that there isn’t a train station or even a platform in the New River Valley. However, legislation from local lawmakers that is heading to the governor’s desk aims to fix that by creating a new regional body to raise money for the facility.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 3/26/21:

 

 

   Amtrak in New River Valley progress chugs ahead as Gov. Northam signs bill    

 

 

All aboard! The New River Valley is one step closer to having an Amtrak station after Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill into law on Friday.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WVTF Radio, Roanoke, VA, 4/29/21:

 

 

      Next Stop For Passenger Rail: The New River Valley?   

 

 

As Amtrak marks its 50th anniversary Friday, Virginia may be on the verge of finally accomplishing a dream that's been years in the making-- expanding passenger rail into the New River Valley.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 5/5/21:

 

 

   Christiansburg will have an Amtrak station by 2025    

 

 

Gov. Ralph Northam came to Christiansburg on Wednesday to announce that $257 million is being invested to bring passenger rail to the New River Valley.

 

 

Story is here.    Also of note in this story is that the second Roanoke frequency will start next year, in 2022.

[KevinKorell]

WFIR Radio, Roanoke, VA, 5/5/21:

 

 

   NRV to get Amtrak service; Roanoke to get 2nd daily train  

 

 

A second daily Amtrak train connecting Roanoke to Washington and the Northeast Corridor is coming next year — and the passenger rail service is expected to extend to the New River Valley in 2025. Governor Northam made the announcements today, saying Virginia will commit $257 million to fund needed rail improvements and expansion.

 

More

 

Cross posted in another thread because of the two stories combined in one announcement.

[KevinKorell]

WFIR Radio, Roanoke, VA, 12/22/21:

 

 

    State now in process of selecting NRV Amtrak station site  

 

 

State transportation officials are taking one of the next steps needed to extend passenger service to the New River Valley by 2025....

 

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 1/13/22:

 

 

   All aboard! Virginia finalizes deal for passenger rail to extend into the New River Valley    

 

What’s been assumed is now set in stone.

 

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that Virginia and Norfolk Southern have reached a definitive agreement to expand into the New River Valley.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

WFIR Radio, Roanoke, VA. 1/13/22:

 

    Virginia, Norfolk Southern finalize agreement to extend Amtrak to NRV  

 

 

Governor Northam’s office says the commonwealth and Norfolk Southern have signed a “definitive agreement” to expand passenger rail service to southwest Virginia, a plan first announced last spring. The first step will bring a second daily Amtrak service to Roanoke later this year — then extending both trains to the New River Valley by 2025.

 

 

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