After many years of expressing opposition to the construction of an intermodal rail facility in Montgomery County, the Commonwealth announced in August that Norfolk Southern will begin developing the facility in Elliston, a village in the eastern part of the County.

When efforts to stop the rail facility’s location in the County failed, the County filed suit in September in Richmond Circuit Court asserting that the Commonwealth’s $31 million Rail Enhancement Fund grant to Norfolk Southern Corporation for this project violates the Constitution of Virginia.

The lawsuit also cites the adverse effects of noise, artificial lighting, dust, and odor in establishing a large industrial land use in a predominantly rural area; increased train and truck traffic; increased air and water pollution; and incompatible development in direct opposition to the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The County currently awaits a decision by the Circuit Court on whether it will hear the case.

News Releases | Documents | Supporting material

• Sept. 11, 2008: Montgomery County challenges State funding for intermodal rail site
• Aug. 26, 2008: Supervisors to challenge public funding of intermodal rail facility
• Apr. 07, 2008: Montgomery County ‘disappointed’ by Elliston rail facility conclusion

• Apr. 09, 2007: Resolution requesting the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board to not select the Elliston site for the location of the Roanoke Region Intermodal Site.
• Oct. 23, 2006: Resolution requesting the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly to oppose the Commonwealth of Virginia providing State funding to Norfolk Southern for the development of an intermodal facility in the Elliston community of Montgomery County, Virginia.
• Sept. 25, 2006: Resolution in opposition of the proposed Norfolk Southern Intermodal Facility locating in the Elliston community of Montgomery County, Virginia

• Montgomery County Fact Sheet
• The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, Apr. 25 at the Salem Civic Center, Community Room. Remarks by Annette Perkins, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Chair.
• Map of proposed intermodal site [ PDF 35.4MB ]
• Map of proposed NS intermodal shipping yard - Dixie Caverns [ PDF 492KB ]