NORFOLK -- For three years 28 tunnels along the railroad lines from Hampton Roads to Chicago have had their ceilings raised to accomodate double stack cargo cars.
The Cowan Tunnel near Radford is where the Heartland Corridor officially opens up Thursday. It is also the longest of the 28 tunnels - at 3,302 feet.
It took three years to build.
"So ten hours a day, four days a week, we worked on the tunnels, we had people and equipment in the tunnels And then the other 14 hours a day and the other remaining days of the week we had to run the railroad," said Jeff Heller, Vice President of International Intermodal at Norfolk Southern.
Double-stack rail cars can now get from Hampton Roads to Chicago two days faster than with the old route, which went north to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania then left to Chicago.
"I think it is very exciting for Hampton Roads clearly Norfolk Southern and Virginia ports have been in lock step in our strategic planning. The port here is growing as well which is good for the people," Heller added.
