(The Associated Press circulated the following article on May 18.)
RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Mark Warner hopes to get rail transportation moving in Virginia.
Warner announced Tuesday the creation of the Commission on Rail Enhancement for the 21st Century.
Karen Rae, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, said the move shows the governor’s strong belief that rail is a critical part of the infrastructure of Virginia.
Rae said there had been an attempt during the last General Assembly session to set up an independent rail authority, but it failed, even though her office and the governor supported it.
In order to move ahead with the plan, Warner issued an executive order, which he announced Tuesday at the Virginia High Speed Rail annual meeting.
Warner has not yet named the seven-member commission, but Rae said the appointments are expected soon.
Rae said the commission’s first charge, due by December first, will be to make “recommendations on how to advance a more aggressive rail agenda in the commonwealth.”