(The following story by Jeff Sturgeon appeared on The Roanoke Times website on December 1, 2009.)
ROANOKE, Va. — A judge turned down Montgomery County’s attempt to block a proposed intermodal rail yard in Elliston.
In a ruling that reached county officials this morning, City of Richmond Circuit Court judge Melvin Hughes ruled Nov. 18 for Norfolk Southern Corp., which wants to build the yard, and the state of Virginia, which proposes to help pay for it.
Montgomery County administrator Craig Meadows said he had not had time to discuss the matter with the county’s attorney. That left unclear whether the county might appeal its loss.
“We just learned about it and are still evaluating our options,” Meadows said.