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Last month, Norfolk Southern Railway opened a new crew-change center near Manassas, Va., designed to improve emergency vehicle access, reduce downtown traffic congestion, improve safety and speed freight on a core intermodal route.

Crews changes previously were conducted at a small downtown yard, creating traffic delays at congested crossings. Now, trains move through the city without stopping and motorist delays have been reduced to between one and two minutes.

Virginia's departments of transportation, and rail and transportation conducted a "Railroad Realignment Study" in March 1992 that determined a need for the crew-change center. The study also recommended that NS realign curved track at Wellington Road and install double track to speed freight through the city. Now, all three projects have been completed.

"These projects represent an important commitment by all of us to improve the community's quality of life while recognizing the need for smooth freight-rail operations," said NS Piedmont Division Superintendent Charlie Rickman in the Class I's December newsletter.