The Blacksburg community, including The Homes at Berry Ridge, is known as a mecca of economic growth with small-town charm. Soon, this community will have access to a new passenger rail service for easy commuting for both work and leisure. The New River Valley Rail Station just had its groundbreaking ceremony in the Cambria section of Christiansburg!
The New River Valley passenger service, along with the new Christiansburg passenger station, is part of the New River Valley Project, spearheaded by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA). It will extend Amtrak service from Roanoke to Christiansburg. The extension will conveniently connect the New River Valley to Washington, D.C., New York City, and other East Coast hubs. The new rail service is expected to start in 2027 — a full year earlier than originally planned, according to The Roanoke Times.
“What is really exciting is to see this community broadly engaged in this project,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin at the new station groundbreaking ceremony, according to the Roanoke Times report.
For residents of Blacksburg and nearby communities, such as The Homes at Berry Ridge, this new rail service opens the door to a better quality of life by expanding access to employment centers, educational institutions, and recreational areas. In this blog, we will look at some of these benefits for Blacksburg residents and our entire Commonwealth. First, here is an overview of this new rail service.
About the New River Valley Rail Project
The new rail service will restore Amtrak service to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979. A platform and awning will be constructed and put into service before the historic Christianburg station is renovated, according to the VPRA website. There will also be an Amtrak layover in Radford, along with a Norfolk Southern maintenance facility, track improvements, and an updated signaling system.
Renovations for the historic Christianburg station (built in 1906) will restore it to a convenient new passenger station for the Blacksburg community and for the residents at The Homes at Berry Ridge. The station is near the older, privately owned building at the intersection of Depot Street and the railroad tracks. The building recently served as a maintenance shop for Norfolk Southern employees.
According to the Roanoke Times report, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) was able to secure $2 million in federal funding for extending the rail service and for repairs throughout Virginia. This means the New River Valley project could be the first step to expanding rail service across the state. There are currently discussions of expanding the rail service to Bristol in the future.
New Infrastructure and Economic Benefits for the Blacksburg Community
According to a University of Virginia study, the new rail expansion is expected to create more than 33,600 jobs, increase the state’s economic output by $6.7 billion, and generate $2.6 billion in labor income.
Even before the new rail service expansion, Blacksburg, including The Homes at Berry Ridge, was already known as one of Virginia’s most commuter-friendly cities. Commuter-friendly benefits include a growing bus transit hub with a new $26 million Transit Center. The new rail project will provide even more convenient access to employment opportunities, cultural attractions, and educational institutions across the Commonwealth and beyond.
And, according to local surveys and public forums, there is growing community support for the new rail services. Survey respondents are enthusiastic about the possibility of reducing their reliance on road travel and the rail service’s potential for increasing public transit, along with growing local bus services.
Opening the Door to Easy Travel Along the East Coast
As we noted earlier, because the New River Valley Rail Project will extend Amtrak services and reach, it has the potential to connect the Blacksburg community to major East Coast hubs. For our Blacksburg community, the extended rail service will link Blacksburg and Christiansburg to Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line, which already connects Roanoke to cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.
For residents at The Homes of Berry Ridge, this expanded network will make it significantly easier to travel for work or vacation, without relying on road trips or air travel. Going forward, the historic Christiansburg station will serve as a key hub for passengers traveling to and from the New River Valley.
Discover the Next Chapter for the Blacksburg Community at The Homes at Berry Ridge
With the New River Valley rail service bringing the Blacksburg community within easy reach of popular East Coast destinations, there has never been a better time to call Blacksburg home. And the new rail service will make local and regional travel significantly more manageable and cost-effective. This is just one more example of why our closely-knit luxury community is also known for its entrepreneurial spirit.
With major transportation hubs just a short drive away in Christiansburg, Berry Ridge residents can now enjoy seamless travel options while living in one of Blacksburg’s most desirable neighborhoods. Whether commuting for work or exploring destinations along the East Coast corridor, the new rail service offers unmatched connectivity with the added appeal of living in a walkable, bikeable community.
Explore new construction opportunities at The Homes at Berry Ridge and learn why our community is growing its reputation as one of the most commuter-friendly communities in Virginia. Contact us to learn more.