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On Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced that the Bay Coast Railroad Inc.’s rail-car barge service will resume next week as a result of a partnership between the commonwealth, railroad and local governments.

Last year, the railroad suspended the service after identifying $1 million worth of structural deficiencies that compromised barge safety. To restore service, Virginia provided a grant through the Shortline Railway Preservation Fund, including $700,000 in state funds and a $300,000 match provided by Accomack and Northampton counties, and Bay Coast Railroad.

The rail-barge, which connects the railroad’s tracks on the eastern shore with its tracks in Little Creek, crosses 26 miles of water between Chesapeake Bay’s northern and southern shores. While barge repairs were under way earlier this year, freight shipments were diverted to truck for shipment through the Bay Bridge-Tunnel or to Norfolk Southern Railway for movements through Maryland to Hampton Roads.

“The service delivers greater rail options to one of our country's busiest ports, provides essential rail service to the eastern shore, and reduces truck traffic in the Hampton Roads area,” said McDonnell in a prepared statement.