VCC Spring 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2021 17 Expanding passenger rail service virtually anywhere in the nation requires partnership with private rail companies. The state’s pending agreement with Norfolk Southern removes one major hurdle here. But much work remains in the New River Valley. Members of the NRV Passenger Rail effort must transition work to the yet to be formed NRV Passenger Station Authority, approved by the 2021 General Assembly. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation will begin studies determining the location of the rail station and other needed rail improvements. That in turn will require working with VDOT, localities, and the new station authority to enable road access. This deal illustrates to some extent the complexity and interconnectedness of modern era transportation infrastructure improvements.While passenger rail service topped the list of the May 5 news conference, theWestern Rail Initiative also will enable multi- modal improvements throughout western Virginia. Some funding will derive from 2019 General Assembly Interstate-81 legislation. That law created a dedicated revenue stream for 1-81 construction but also reserved monies for non-highway improvements. In the long run, many modes of transport benefit—passenger rail, multi-modal freight, and improved highway passenger safety. Passenger rail travel throughout the United States is experiencing a strong revival. Virginia has been leading the way with significant investments in operating support, track acquisition, infrastructure improvements, and major construction such as the recently approved second Long Bridge across the Potomac River. Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine fingers have touched just about every endeavor beginning with her efforts, as a member of the General Assembly, to expand Amtrak service into Lynchburg, which began in 2009. Leadership in the Commonwealth should be proud of its accomplishments and dogged commitment to various forms of travel, including rail. Soon people in Virginia’s New River Valley will be riding the rails because of them. Larry Hincker is retired chief communications officer at Virginia Tech and has been leading the marketing and communications efforts of the NRV Passenger Rail Initiative since 2013. Strong ridership figures from the Roanoke region, including from the New River Valley, convinced the state that the New River Valley deserves access to the Amtrak Northeast Corridor passenger rail service. Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine in Christiansburg with James Squires, Chairman, President, and CEO of Norfolk Southern announcing a $257.2 agreement between NS and the state to increase intercity passenger rail service. Photo by Michaele White/VDOT Photo by Jack Mayer About 100 local officials and members of the NRV Passenger Rail Initiative attend news conference at “Uptown Christiansburg” mall not far from a portion of Norfolk Southern’s Virginian Line to be acquired by the state. V