USA: The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority held a groundbreaking ceremony for the New River Valley railway project on April 24. This $264·5m scheme aims to facilitate the extension of the existing Washington DC – Roanoke Amtrak service over a Norfolk Southern-owned line to the university city of Christiansburg.
Two pairs of trains per day are expected to start running from 2027. Christiansburg last had a passenger train in 1979.
Forming part of VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, the New River Valley Project comprises the construction of a new single-platform at Christiansburg with a canopy, a parking lot and access roads, track improvements and enhancement of the signalling system. An Amtrak vehicle stabling and servicing point is to be built in Radford. Preliminary construction began in late February with full construction due to start later this year.
Services will reach Washington DC over the Manassas commuter rail line, which VPRA acquired from Norfolk Southern in September 2024. From Washington DC, trains would continue north over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
The historic Christiansburg station building at Cambria is to be renovated and renamed as New River Valley station. These works are expected to begin in 2027.
‘Passenger rail creates greater potential for sustained economic growth, facilitates job creation and provides an efficient, affordable travel alternative to riding on the crowded interstate highway system’, said Congressman Morgan Griffith.
DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA, told Railway Gazette International in April that more trains could be added on routes south of Washington when the Long Bridge project has been completed. This $2·3bn scheme will add two more tracks to the existing railway south of Washington Union on a new structure over the Potomac River, and is expected to be completed by 2030.
- Go deeper: Read our interview with VPRA Executive Director DJ Stadtler in the May 2025 issue of Railway Gazette International.
