Photos: From the groundbreaking for the restoration of passenger rail in Christiansburg
Leaders from the New River Valley and across Virginia came together Thursday in Christiansburg to celebrate the beginning of work on a new platform and awning to restore passenger rail service for the first time since 1979.
The New River Valley Rail Station project will return passenger rail service to the historic Cambria Yard, which served rail passengers from 1904 to 1979. A platform and awning will be built and put into service before the former station building is renovated.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the New River Valley Rail Station was held at the historic Cambria Yard, which served rail passengers from 1904 to 1979. The former station building will be renovated, a boarding platform with canopy added and parking lot constructed.
Virginia governor Glenn Younkin arrives for the ground breaking ceremony.
Del. Chris Obenshain, R-Montgomery spoke during the New River Valley Station ground breaking ceremony.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. was one of the speakers during the New River Valley Station ground breaking ceremony Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., left, and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem attended the ground breaking ceremony for the New River Valley Station in Christiansburg Thursday.
Governor Glenn Younkin, center, joined state and local officials in a groundbreaking ceremony for the New River Valley Rail Station in the Cambria section of Christiansburg on Thursday.
VPRA Executive Director DJ Stadtler, spoke during the ground breaking ceremony Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va, left, and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem talk prior to the ground breaking ceremony for the New River Valley Rail Station in Christiansburg Thursday.
Norfolk Southern senior vice president and chief strategy officer Mike McClellan spoke during the New River Valley Rail Station ground breaking ceremony.
Virginia governor Glenn Younkin speaks during the New River Valley Rail Station ground breaking ceremony Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem spoke during the New River Valley Station ground breaking ceremony Thursday.
The original Cambria passenger rail station is adjacent to the site of the New River Valley Rail Station site in the Cambria section of Christiansburg. It is privately owned and not part of the restoration of rail service now underway.
The passenger rail station, located at the historic Cambria Yard, is expected to open in 2027.Â
