West Virginia railroads consider plan to combine transportation and utility infrastructure
West Virginia railroads consider federal plan to combine transportation and utility infrastructure
Robert Fields | WVOW News
CHARLESTON West Virginia’s major railroads are evaluating a new federal initiative that could make it easier to install utilities along existing highway and railroad corridors.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s “America’s Great Corridors of Commerce” initiative would allow state transportation departments and railroad right-of-way owners to lease space along highways and rail lines for electric transmission lines, fiber, broadband and pipelines.
The voluntary program is designed to reduce the need to acquire new private property, speed up permitting and potentially generate lease revenue for transportation improvements.
The Transportation Department envisions private corridor managers developing and operating utility space, including underground conduits and tunnels.
West Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson Brent Walker says the state already has a framework allowing utilities to use existing transportation rights-of-way.
He says the program could allow utilities to “piggyback” on existing corridors.
The state owns a combined 500 miles of rails and trails. Any future project would require a state or railroad to volunteer a corridor, while CSX and Norfolk Southern would retain control over their rights-of-way and safety requirements.
Public comments on the initial federal proposal are due September 12.
PHOTO | WIX
