Thank you for your interest in VPRA’s New River Valley project! Development of the construction sites continues for the future New River Valley passenger rail station and layover facility. Passenger rail service is expected to begin in the fall of 2027. 

Check out VPRA’s most recent video showcasing major construction updates across our Transforming Rail in Virginia suite of projects: VPRA August 2026 Construction Update 

In August, Virginia Tech’s Sustainable Transportation services invited VPRA to participate in the Sustainable Transportation Fair for the third year in a row. The fair provides an opportunity to connect with students, faculty, and staff as they learn about transportation options, programs, and services available on campus and throughout the community. At the fair, VPRA representatives spoke with almost 200 students about VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative and the upcoming launch of service to the New River Valley.

VPRA also used this opportunity to guest lecture for a few classes, ultimately engaging with nearly 300 students over the course of two days.

View of Cambria looking east.

The soldier pile lagging wall, or retaining wall, holds Depot Street from the future bus lane. The first of many precast concrete planks has been installed on the western end of the platform.

View of Cambria looking west.

The remaining platform formwork is visible on the eastern end of the platform. 

At the site of the future station in Christiansburg, construction of the passenger platform continues with crews installing formwork for platform walls, columns, and beams. This formwork is used to cast concrete and is temporary to the platform. It is removed as the crews continue to progress the platform construction to the east. Crews have placed the majority of the platform’s concrete walls, columns and beams. The first precast concrete planks has been set on top of the beams at the west end of the platform, and eventually a concrete slab will top the planks to create the walking area of the platform.

A closer view of the platform formwork and concrete walls.

The soldier pile lagging wall is a retaining wall which will keep the soil under Depot Street separate from the bus lane in front of the station. The wall is made up of over 100 steel H-piles, or beams, with timber lagging in between each pile. Precast concrete panels with an architectural finish will cover the timber and line the wall. Crews have only a few more piles to install before they begin placing the final finished precast concrete panels.

Left: A closer view of the retaining wall next to the Depot Street.

Right: A concrete pump truck is a specialized vehicle equipped with a pump and a long, articulated boom that delivers concrete to locations that might be otherwise difficult to reach. The truck pumps the material through a hose, allowing crews to place concrete precisely, even over obstacles. 

The future layover facility at Radford is nearing completion. The layover tracks have been placed, graded, and leveled with ballast and are now in their final location. All the facility lighting and train servicing equipment has been installed. The Amtrak modular staff building is currently in production and will be delivered to the site this fall. Crews are now preparing the area for asphalt pavement.

View of the Radford layover facility looking west.

We are looking forward to watching construction progress at both Cambria and Radford. Please reach out to VPRA with any questions about construction or the New River Valley Project at contactus@vpra.virginia.gov, or at 804-303-8700.

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority | https://vapassengerrailauthority.org/