News Flash

The Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) is hosting an informational meeting regarding its construction plans associated with transitioning the RVRA’s rail corridor to a dedicated access road serving the Smith Gap Regional Landfill. Social distancing and face masks will be a requirement for attendance at this and future Public Meetings, until further notice.  For additional information, contact the RVRA at www.rvra.net or by calling (540) 857-5050.

Where: Masons Cove Elementary Gym

When: Thursday, April 15, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) has been studying its transportation options necessary to transport the region’s solid waste, received at the Authority’s Roanoke and Salem Transfer Stations, to the Authority’s Smith Gap Regional Landfill.  For more than five years, three options have been fully developed and thoroughly vetted using both internal and external resources, including:  1) Status Quo (keep the same rail-based system); 2) Hybrid (transition rail to shipping containers/flat cars); 3) Trucking, with specially designed and contained trailers.

At its March 24, 2021 meeting, RVRA’s Board made its final determination to transition the Authority from its current rail-based transportation methodology to trucking.  This decision provides the best long-term financial stability for the Authority and the associated rates the Authority charges its member communities and facilities users.

This transition will require the conversion of the Authority’s approximately 4.5 mile dedicated rail spur to a similarly dedicated roadway serving as direct access for traffic in and out of the Landfill.  Direct access will extend from the Ironto exit off of I-81 to the Landfill.  The new, dedicated roadway will ensure landfill traffic will be kept off of Bradshaw Rd. in accordance with long-held commitments to the community surrounding the Landfill.  

Construction is slated to begin in early April this year with usage of the new road anticipated to begin by mid to late summer.  During the road’s construction, all Municipal Solid Waste managed by the Authority will be transported to one or more third party landfills for disposal.