Project Overview
Next Stop - Bedford, VA!
The Bedford, Virginia passenger rail project aims to return Amtrak service to the town after a 50-plus year absence, with $1.5M in federal grants secured for environmental studies and preliminary design. Located on the Norfolk Southern route between Roanoke and Lynchburg, the project aims to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism to the D-Day Memorial, and support economic growth.
Benefits
- Expands travel choices
- Offers another commuter option to Roanoke and Lynchburg
- Provides connectivity to metropolitan areas throughout the Northeast corridor
- Boosts regional tourism
- Drives future economic development
Previous Design Concepts
Proposed Site
The new stop is planned for Macon Street and is expected to feature a high-level platform for level boarding and a drop-off area.
Timeline
The Town is currently working on preliminary designs and conducting the environmental study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is expected to be completed by May 2027. Following this phase, once the environmental study is completed, the next steps would be final design and construction.
A public information meeting will be scheduled in the near future. Check back often for news and updates. You can also sign up for updates here.
History
The Bedford, Virginia passenger rail project aims to return Amtrak service to the town after a 50-plus year absence, with almost $1.5M in federal grants secured for environmental studies and preliminary design. Located on the Norfolk Southern route between Roanoke and Lynchburg, the project aims to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism to the D-Day Memorial, and support economic growth.
October 2021
A 2021 Feasibility Study by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) estimated that a Bedford stop could attract roughly 10,050 new riders annually.
October 2024
In October 2024, the town was awarded almost $1.5 million in federal grant from the U.S. DOT. Combined with a local contribution of $375,000, these funds are being used for environmental studies and preliminary design work.
Current
The Town is currently working on preliminary designs and conducting the environmental study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is expected to be completed by May 2027. Following this phase, once the environmental study is completed, the next steps would be final design and construction.
Jan. 2014
2014 Initiative Formation:
The Bedford-Franklin Regional Rail Initiative was established to gather data and advocate for a stop between the existing Lynchburg and Roanoke stations.
March 2016
The Bedford Passenger Rail Station Feasibility Study and Conceptual Plan was published and concluded that a new Amtrak stop in Bedford is feasible and total rail customers would reach an estimated 32,000 per year.
September 2021
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority published an RTC Analysis. This analysis was used to analyze capacity, test the impact of adding new trains, and evaluate how infrastructure improvements could reduce delays.
Community leaders in the Bedford/Franklin County region have advocated for an Amtrak passenger rail stop in the Town of Bedford for more than a decade. The Commonwealth and Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) have agreed to assess the track and signal improvements needed for Amtrak to provide service to the Bedford/Franklin County region as a part of the Commonwealth’s partnership with NSR to advance the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative.
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Ways to Participate
- Provide input on the project
- Attend public meeting(s)