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2000 SESSION

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004899652
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 220 Offered January 24, 2000 Requesting the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study rail passenger service between Bristol and Richmond and Washington, D. C. ---------- Patrons-- Bryant and Byron; Senators: Hawkins, Newman and Wampler ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, a 1998 study conducted by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation on the viability of instituting passenger rail service between Bristol and both Richmond and Washington, D. C. indicated that such a service would use the existing Norfolk Southern tracks through Lynchburg where service branches between the two proposed destinations; and

WHEREAS, the study further indicated that it is feasible to operate two round-trips per day using modern tilting trains equipped with steerable wheel sets; and

WHEREAS, some necessary capital investments were identified, including station upgrades, storage and maintenance facilities, and a connection between Norfolk Southern and CSX tracks in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, the capital improvements, according to the Department's study, will total some $9,339,000; and

WHEREAS, in order for this concept to become a reality, frank and detailed discussions will be needed involving, at the minimum, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, CSX, Conrail, and Amtrak; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation be requested to study rail passenger service between Bristol and Richmond and Washington, D. C. The prime goal of this study will be to verify the validity of the Department's projected cost for capital improvements needed to make this rail service a reality, and explore possible sources of funding to support the project.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Department shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.