Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Local officials recently received an update on construction at the planned Amtrak stop in Christiansburg.
According to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, construction on the future New River Valley passenger rail station is progressing on schedule.
The VPRA has announced crews are continuing to install erosion and sediment measures, as well as storm sewer structures and piping. The contractor has poured tiers of cellular concrete into silt fence quadrants in what will become the parking lot area.
Cellular concrete is a type of lightweight concrete that’s filled with tiny air bubbles, making it much lighter than regular concrete, but strong enough to use for leveling the ground in this area. Excavation will continue along the west end of the future platform, where the contractor will fill in with concrete beams that will support the eventual platform. The grade beams are supported by over 100 drilled pier foundations along the nearly 1,000-foot platform.
The VPRA said Norfolk Southern has delivered the necessary track components to the Christiansburg site to build a pocket track, which will bring the passenger trains to the platform. Crews have also installed the western turnout, which is a piece of rail infrastructure that lets a train move from one track to another.
Prior to installation, the turnout assembly was pre-built offsite as a complete “skeleton” consisting of ties and rail fastened together.
Once the existing section of mainline track was marked and measured, crews systematically removed the designated portion using excavators and track tools to create the opening for the new turnout. The preassembled turnout was then transported and precisely maneuvered into position, guided by equipment operators and ground personnel to ensure proper alignment with the adjoining rail segments.
Information from VPRA points that after placement the rail ends were fixed using bolted joint bars to achieve a secure and continuous running surface. The track structure was then ballasted, tamped, and smoothed to bring it to final grade and alignment specifications. These final adjustments ensure the switch, which is the mechanism that moves the turnout, operates smoothly and safely under load.
The newly installed turnout connects the platform track, which runs parallel to the main line, allowing passenger trains to transition seamlessly between the two. This connection provides access for westbound movements toward the Radford layover facility, improving operational flexibility and overall system efficiency.
At the future layover facility in Radford, light poles have been installed between the tracks, along the retaining wall, and up to the overpass. Additional electrical conduits are being installed, allowing for the installation of communications components and wiring.
The switch and portions of the connecting tracks from the mainline to the layover tracks have been finalized. The switch, cross ties, rail and ballast are fully installed along this connection, and the track has been set to final elevation.
