Griffith: Passenger rail gets boost

Friday, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $500,000 to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, through the Federal Railroad Administration’s fiscal year 2022 Corridor Identification and Development.

The funds awarded today will be used to support the “development of a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting related service development plans” for a new rail corridor from Roanoke, VA to Bristol, VA.

“This $500,000 grant by the Federal Railroad Administration is great news,” said Griffith. “The proposed corridor would extend rail service to Bristol, which would provide more transportation options for those living in Southwest Virginia and those traveling to the area.”

Congressman Griffith wrote a letter of support for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s grant application.