Virginia, Norfolk Southern sign pact to return Amtrak service to Roanoke

Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and Norfolk Southern Corp. entered into an agreement to improve rail infrastructure between Lynchburg and Roanoke, Va., Gov. Bob McDonnell announced yesterday.

The improvements will return passenger rail to the Roanoke region for the first time in 34 years, Virginia officials said in a press release.

"Intercity passenger-rail service is central to the commonwealth's economic growth, vitality and competitiveness in the region. Now the major population centers will have intercity passenger-rail service," said McDonnell.

The governor's 2013 transportation funding plan was "instrumental" in prompting the return of Amtrak's intercity passenger-rail service to Roanoke, state officials said.

The Virginia-NS agreement includes track additions and realignments, signal and communication upgrades along the route, clearance adjustments, and a platform and train servicing facility in downtown Roanoke. Design work will begin immediately, state officials said.

In another effort funded by Virginia and NS, the downtown Roanoke rail connections are being reconfigured to improve the flow of train traffic through the city, which is a prerequisite to reintroducing passenger-rail service, they said.

"Virginia's leadership enables both passenger mobility and economic development through a strong rail network," said NS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman.