Construction starts on project restoring rail passenger service to Roanoke

Published November 12, 2014 by Robert Powell, III

Work has begun on Amtrak passenger service to Roanoke.

The first phase of construction has started in the project, which involves the Commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and the city.

Roanoke has not had intercity passenger rail service for 34 years.

Amtrak service to Roanoke, an extension of Northeast Regional train from Lynchburg, is expected to start in 2017.  From Roanoke, the train will stop in Lynchburg, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and cities as far north as Boston. 

“Bringing passenger rail service back to Roanoke will be an enormous economic driver for the region and the entire Commonwealth,” Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the parties involved to get this project completed so that Virginia families and our economy can benefit from this expanded service as soon as possible.”