(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on April 20, 2010.)
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) recently published a study of Interstate 81 Corridor truck-to-rail diversions on its Web site. Conducted by Cambridge Systematics Inc., the study identifies feasible truck diversions along the corridor and outlines strategies to achieve the maximum number of diversions.
The commonwealth plans to pursue five basic strategies based on available funding: improvements to the Piedmont and Shenandoah lines to accommodate additional intermodal trains and longer trains; upgrades to each intermodal hub along Norfolk Southern Corp.’s proposed Crescent Corridor with “open technology” capabilities and appropriate rail equipment; intermodal service introductions at an existing terminal in Front Royal and proposed terminal in Elliston; upgrades to Shenandoah connecting lines in Tennessee and Pennsylvania to accommodate trains speeds of 60 to 70 mph; and the establishment of very high-speed (up to 120 mph) intermodal service between Knoxville, Tenn., and Harrisburg, Pa.
More than $126.7 million will be invested in corridor improvements through previous, current and proposed funding, making the I-81 route one of the most highly funded corridors in the commonwealth, according to DRPT.