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The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is seeking public feedback on proposed sites for a regional intermodal facility in Roanoke. Agency officials will conduct a meeting Dec. 13 to discuss the project and accept written comments on the proposed locations until Jan. 16.

The terminal is part of the $186 million Heartland Corridor, a proposed high-speed double-stack container line between Columbus, Ohio, and the Port of Norfolk, Va. The line would reduce Norfolk Southern Corp.’s double-stack container route between Columbus and Norfolk by 300 miles and foster two-way double-stack service between Chicago, Columbus and Norfolk. Construction is expected to begin soon and conclude in 2009.

Through DRPT, Virginia is providing $22.4 million toward the $38.4 million cost of work proposed in the commonwealth, such as creating tunnel clearances for double-stack trains and constructing the intermodal facility. The federal government and NS will provide $5 million and $11 million, respectively.