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Newport News Transportation Center

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Coordinates: 37°07′23″N 76°31′07″W / 37.1230°N 76.5185°W / 37.1230; -76.5185
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the former station, see Newport News station.

Newport News, VA
The station in August 2024
General information
Location500 Bland Boulevard[1]
Newport News, Virginia 23602
United States
Coordinates37°07′23″N 76°31′07″W / 37.1230°N 76.5185°W / 37.1230; -76.5185
Owned byAmtrak, CSX, and Newport News Parking Authority
Line(s)CSX Peninsula Subdivision
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
ConnectionsIntercity bus Amtrak Thruway
Local Transit Hampton Roads Transit: 106, 107
Construction
ParkingYes[1]
AccessibleYes[1]
History
OpenedAugust 22, 2024[2]
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Terminus Northeast Regional Williamsburg
toward Boston South or Springfield
Location
Map

The Newport News Transportation Center is an Amtrak inter-city train station and intermodal transport hub in Newport News, Virginia. The station is located about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport on Bland Boulevard between Warwick Boulevard and Interstate 64.

The station was constructed to consolidate all of the region's public transport entities into one location and serve as the new southern terminus of the two daily round trips on the Virginia Peninsula branch of the Northeast Regional, which previously terminated at the old Newport News station 9 miles (14 km) to the south. An Amtrak Thruway motorcoach connection to Norfolk station effectively doubles the frequency between each station and Washington. A second, smaller station in downtown Newport News was also proposed but has been indefinitely postponed. The station has a high platform with space for eight cars.

History

[edit]
The station under construction on August 19, 2020

The old Newport News station was planned to be replaced with two new stations—a large intermodal station near Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and a smaller station in downtown Newport News.

The construction of the new station was necessary because the current 30-year-old station has a limited parking area, is inaccessible for people with physical disabilities, and has poor connectivity with local public transport services.[1]

The station will be more energy-efficient and allow Amtrak to turn around trains more efficiently and maintain trains on-site. This would both increase ridership and decrease costs.[3] The city planned to begin design work for the larger station in the summer of 2011, for an opening sometime before 2016.[4] As of 2011, the cost was estimated at $24 million.[4]

As of January 3, 2019, the project was in the planning phase for six years, having initially been planned to open in October 2018.[1] On March 14, 2019, the project was further delayed until 2021, with the plans for the new downtown station dropped and the intermodal station to serve as the new terminus.[5] Construction for the new intermodal station near the airport began on July 21, 2020. The project will cost $47 million and was originally expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.[6] However, the city of Newport News announced on October 10, 2022, that the new station would not be open until the fall of 2023, citing unexpected construction delays.[7] On March 16, 2023, a further delay to April 2024 due to supply chain issues was announced.[8] On February 26, 2024, the expected opening date was pushed back to May or June 2024, with the project costing a total of $53 million.[9] An additional delay to the fall to allow for the completion of construction and Amtrak's station testing process was announced on July 2, although the project remains on budget.[10] The station finally opened on August 22.[2]

A third Northeast Regional weekday round trip is planned, as of 2020, under a major spending initiative by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Marsigliano, Julia (January 3, 2019). "This project has been in the design phase for nearly six years. Here's why". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Amtrak Virginia to Begin Service to New Transportation Center in Newport News". Amtrak Media. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "UPC #102734 NNTC-1 PE/Design Newport News Transportation Center". City of Newport News. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Lawlor, Joe (January 15, 2011). "New train stations could be coming to Newport News". Newport News Daily Press. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Reyes, Josh (March 14, 2019). "Newport News transportation project delayed again, completion goal set for 2021". Newport News Daily Press. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Newport News breaks ground on new transportation center". Mass Transit Magazine. July 23, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Janney, Josh (October 10, 2022). "Newport News transportation center delayed". Newport News Daily Press. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  8. ^ Janney, Josh (March 15, 2023). "Newport News transportation hub, Amtrak station opening delayed again". Daily Press. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Janney, Josh (February 26, 2024). "New hub to bring 'transportation entities in Hampton Roads into one location'". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Janney, Josh (July 2, 2024). "Opening of Newport News Amtrak transit hub delayed until fall". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "Virginia and CSX Announce Landmark Rail Agreement" (Press release). Office of the Governor of Virginia. December 19, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
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