Carl J Williams

So, we see that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has commissioned two companies to produce studies for upgrade to either six or eight lanes for I-81. Whew! Both of my sons attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, so I’ve logged my share of miles on the first 120 miles of I-81 at this end. It needs an upgrade. I support it, and I want to see it happen.
That said, let’s get to my title above – remember it? It’s “Bristol Passenger Rail.” I’ve seen a lot in the newspaper about the I-81 update. I’ve read more than one or two letters about the possibility of rail service. They usually ask “Why doesn’t someone do a study to find out what it would cost to bring passenger rail service to Bristol?” Someone has. How ’bout that?
I believe the date was January 20, 1998 that my son, Glen, and I attended a meeting at City Hall in Bristol, VA, where representatives of Frederic R. Harris, Inc. presented the final report of Phase 2 to the citizens of both Bristols.
In 1994 the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) commissioned Frederic R. Harris, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study for passenger rail service for southwest Virginia. This service would run from Bristol to Lynchburg and from there connect to Richmond and to Washington, DC.
Phase 1 said “It’s feasible.” Phase 2 was more detailed and included sample timetables, ticket prices, operating costs, stations, route maps, and choices for rolling stock. Phase 2, the final report was completed and presented to the folks in Richmond in July 1998. The team made stops throughout Virginia along the projected route with the concluding meeting held in Richmond. Bristol had the greatest attendance at the meeting (62), Roanoke was next (54), and these two souhtwest Virginia cities had more attendance combined, the the other four cities combined. Remember that Lynchburg, Manassas, Richmond, and Charlottesville already have rail service.
So, let’s get back to the question: “Why doesn’t someone do a study to find out what it would cost to bring passenger rail service to Bristol?” Somebody did. The bottom line is: $9,339,000.00, or at least it was the bottom line in 1998. The projection in 1998 was that we could have passenger rail service in 2000, and by 2007 revenue would provide the yearly operating costs, and by 2012 a state subsidy would no longer be required to keep the trains running.
So, folks…the study has been done. Someone did find out what it would cost. Let’s be reasonable when they talk about the cost of widening Interstate-81 to ease the congestion, and let’s consider adding the cost of upgrading rail lines to carry passengers and more freight. Let’s be reasonable when we say “…it would cost less than $10M to get the trains running,” since it would probably be more now, but look at that cost as a small add-on to the highway project.
If you want the full report, check out the VDRPT website and look under “Projects” then go to “Previous Projects” or just click here to get the full report.