CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam came to Christiansburg on Wednesday to announce that $257 million is being invested to bring passenger rail to the New River Valley.
In addition to Christiansburg getting an Amtrak station, starting in 2022, Northam announced that a second train will be departing Roanoke to Washington, D.C.
By 2025, both trains will be extended to the Christiansburg station.
The more than quarter-billion-dollar investment will also allow for railroad infrastructure upgrades in Southwest Virginia.
The Amtrak station in Christiansburg is part of both Amtrak’s 2035 vision and the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative.
The governor gave the announcement from just outside the Regal theater at Uptown Christiansburg, more commonly known as the New River Valley Mall.
While there, the governor ceremonially signed legislation creating the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority.
Watch Wednesday’s full announcement below: