April 1, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey
(804) 225-4260
www.governor.virginia.gov
~ Public-private partnership combines expertise and resources of Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and Commonwealth of Virginia ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine is joining Norfolk Southern Railway CEO Wick Moorman today to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Virginia and Norfolk Southern Railway for the construction of infrastructure improvements to support new freight and passenger service to the Lynchburg region. The signing ceremony at Kemper Street Train Station today is a key milestone in an innovative public-private partnership among Amtrak, Norfolk Southern Railway, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, that will double passenger rail train service for residents of Central Virginia this fall. Similar agreements will be executed with Amtrak next month, launching a project that will connect every community along the route to Washington, DC, and the entire Northeast Corridor.
“With two new regional passenger rail services launching this year, the Commonwealth is making real progress toward providing more transportation choices for all Virginians while helping grow our economy,” Governor Kaine said. “This agreement will be a great economic boost for the region and would not have been possible without the hard work of Amtrak, private partners, local officials, and legislators, especially Delegate Shannon Valentine who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this agreement a reality.”
At its February 18 meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board provided operational funding to support a three year pilot program in two rail corridors: between Lynchburg and Washington, DC, and between Richmond and Washington, DC Both trains will continue to additional destinations in the Northeast Corridor. Today’s announcement, coupled with last month’s approval of federal funding for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project, represents a shift toward increased state investment in rail and mass transit.
"This new rail service will connect communities along US29 and I-95 to Washington, D.C., and the entire Northeast Corridor," said Delegate Valentine. "Wise investments in transportation infrastructure, including freight and passenger rail, are vital for for economic development and long term growth."
“This project demonstrates the value of public-private partnerships for rail transportation,” said Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern Railway. “Improving Virginia’s rail infrastructure benefits both businesses and citizens through more competitive freight rail shipping and enhanced passenger rail service statewide.”
The Governor’s announcement was part of a ceremony today marking the beginning of construction for rail infrastructure improvements that will support new passenger rail service in the Lynchburg region. Construction of platform, track, and rolling stock improvements will begin in April 2009, and service is expected to begin in October 2009.
