Virginia, NS sign landmark agreement for passenger rail service

Written by jrood

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said that the Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern Railway Company have signed a landmark agreement that is an important step toward bringing daily intercity passenger rail service back to Norfolk for the first time since 1977. The round-trip train will link Norfolk with a single-seat ride to Richmond, Washington, D.C., and cities as far north as Boston. Speaking about the agreement, Governor McDonnell noted, "The new service will bring direct intercity passenger rail service to one of Virginia's largest population centers. The Hampton Roads region is home to over a million Virginians, including thousands of Federal employees and military personnel, who currently have limited transportation choices for travel to Richmond, Washington, D.C., and into the Northeast. This service will provide an alternative to the heavily congested I-64 and I-95 corridors." The agreement provides for the speedy upgrading of Norfolk Southern tracks between Norfolk and Petersburg so that they are suitable for use by passenger trains. Funded by an $87-million Rail Enhancement Fund grant, the projects include upgraded signaling, track extensions and connections, passenger train turning and servicing facilities and a track and platform near Norfolk's Harbor Park for the passenger train. Also included is construction of a new connection between NS and CSX Transportation tracks near Petersburg. These improvements will enable passenger trains to run on NS' busy Heartland Corridor route. NS will work with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to complete the work outlined in the agreement. The project is already being designed and construction will begin in 2011.  

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