New River Valley Rail Project in Virginia Begins Construction

Governor Glenn Youngkin has launched the New River Valley rail project in Christiansburg, Virginia. This initiative is part of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) broader efforts to expand rail service across the state. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The project will reconnect the New River Valley to passenger rail service, which has been absent since 1979.

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The estimated budget for this ambitious project stands at $264.5 million. Preliminary construction began in late February 2025, and full-scale work is set to begin this spring.

“This groundbreaking is the result of extensive collaboration and hard work,” Governor Youngkin stated. “We’ve created a plan that brings rail service back to Virginia’s New River Valley years ahead of schedule, at a lower cost for taxpayers, and with a more efficient route.”

Key Features of the Virginia Rail Expansion

The New River Valley rail project includes several significant upgrades. These will include a new station platform with a canopy, expanded parking, improved access roads, and an upgraded track and signaling system. Additionally, an Amtrak layover facility will be built in Radford to support the new service.

The project will extend Amtrak service from Roanoke to Christiansburg via Norfolk Southern’s N-Line. This agreement, finalized in September 2024, allowed VPRA to acquire the Manassas Line, facilitating easier access to the N-Line and boosting the rail infrastructure.

Impact on Virginia’s Rail Network

This expansion also benefits Norfolk Southern’s freight operations in Virginia, improving efficiency across the region. The New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority, established in 2021, will oversee renovations to the historic Christiansburg station. Set to be renamed New River Valley Station, these renovations are expected to begin in 2027.

Future Rail Service in Virginia

Amtrak Virginia plans to launch its service in 2027, with two daily roundtrips between Christiansburg and Washington, D.C.

The trip will include seven stops, with travel times estimated at 50 minutes between Christiansburg and Roanoke, and about six hours between Christiansburg and Washington, D.C.

Once in Washington, passengers can continue their journey to major cities along the Northeast Corridor.

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