New train station coming to Roanoke

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Roanoke City Council has approved a plan for a new train station in Downtown Roanoke.

Council unanimously passed a plan for the city to vacate a 985 foot area along Norfolk Avenue adjacent to the railroad, selling it to Norfolk Southern for 10 dollars.

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Once ownership transfers to Norfolk Southern, construction on the new boarding platform can begin.

"A lot of the Millennials don't own automobiles anymore and our car-centric community that we have right now, our culture here is rapidly changing to walking and bicycling as means of transportation, and having bicycles on the train coming to Roanoke is a fantastic opportunity for the Roanoke Valley," said Barbara Duerek, who commented at the meeting.

Council first announced it was working on a deal to bring Amtrak to Roanoke in 2014.

This platform was the last hurdle in getting the deal approved by the state.

The new platform will support a nine car Amtrak train that will between Roanoke and Lynchburg.

Service is expected to begin next year.