East-west rail travel across Virginia — a train from Charlottesville to Richmond that locals have wished for for decades — could become a reality.
But not until the end of this decade, at the earliest, and possibly not until the 2030s, or 2040s, depending on funding.
A new report in The Virginia Mercury looks at the potential future of the Commonwealth Corridor, as it’s being called, which could run from Blacksburg to Newport News via Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond and Williamsburg, with possible extended service to Norfolk.
The Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation estimates the project would cost $416 million total, including new engines and train cars. Nearly $410 million — 98% of the cost — would go to infrastructure upgrades required to have service to Charlottesville.
Local legislators say it would be worth it.
