RAIL Solution Hears From Norfolk Southern On Truck Diversion Study By Patte Wood Staff Reporter   The RAIL Solution Steering Committee held a very productive meeting in Harrisonburg on Saturday, August 18 with the focus of the meeting a conference phone dialog with Bill Schafer, Director of Strategic Planning for Norfolk Southern Railroad and Kevin Page, Director of Rail Transportation, Department of Rail & Public Transportation for Virginia, regarding the on-going multi-state rail study. Attending from Rockbridge County were RACC members and I-81 committee members Hunt Riegel, Barbara Walsh, Lisa Tracy, and Patte Wood. Also attending was Delegate Ben Cline. RAIL Solution spearheaded the H-1581 rail study, sponsored by Delegate Ben Cline, when VDOT refused to look at multi-state rail improvements as a potential alternative to massive widening of I-81. Norfolk Southern has entered into a study with an independent consultant firm. According to Schafer, they are spending a lot of time looking at the proposed I-81 Crescent Corridor plan and the associated issues in Virginia. Schafer explained that Norfolk Southern is not looking at a particular corridor but as a whole network. “The H-1581 rail study has prompted two studies,” said Schafer. “We are looking at the capability to attract more trucks to rail as a whole and to understand what is needed to do that.” H-1581 is looking for a 60% diversion rate; however, NS is looking at a minimal start-up using existing technology of 30% with the goal at a final buildout of 60%. Funding would be private from their own money. Norfolk Southern is also looking to reach out to Tennessee and Pennsylvania and is not just concentrating on the I-81 NAFTA traffic. Routes include diversion from I95, I85, I77, to Charlotte and Atlanta as well as to Nashville and Memphis. Schafer also explained that the rail routes may not be parallel to the interstates but would still have the effect of diverting trucks off the interstate to rail. In explanation, Schafer mentioned that northbound traffic might use one rail line while southbound would use another. In particular, there are different routes for different markets. He illustrated that, in consultation with the major trucking companies, NS has learned that they would welcome a large stretch of rail that could save the “rest time” required by drivers in transporting goods. Schafer said the improvements would be phased in over time with certain trains coming first before there is a full network or service. Kevin Page reported that DRPT has the ability to look at what is needed for the highest public benefit and spoke of funds that could be used to address areas that Norfolk Southern might not be willing to invest in. He also cautioned that the DRPT would be looking at the “low hanging fruit” where local matches and individual segmentation improvements would bring the best bang for the buck. Page also reported that the results from their study would be made available to the public for input as part of the process. He said he foresees a possible blending of the Norfolk Southern study and the DRPT study. Delegate Ben Cline asked Norfolk Southern to contact the general assembly as soon as possible with their study and plans so that those considerations can be included as Virginia moves forward with transportation plans.

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