ALTOONA, PA. (WJAC) — Norfolk Southern announced the closure of its Roanoke Distribution Center Tuesday and said work and positions will be transferred to the Juniata Locomotive shop in Altoona.

Company officials said the announcement comes as Norfolk Southern continues to reduce its locomotive fleets, thus reducing the amount of locomotive maintenance and repair.

The company could no longer support two heavy-repair locomotive facilities and decided that the most appropriate location for its major locomotive facility would be the shop in Altoona, NBC affiliate WSLS reports.

According to WSLS, Norfolk Southern said about 85 mechanical workers will be affected and will be offered the chance to relocate to Altoona while eligible for relocation benefits.

The affected employees say the Roanoke Distribution Center will continue working through April 18 and personnel at the Roanoke Locomotive Shop through May 18, WSLS reports.

In 2019, the company furloughed nearly 250 workers from its Juniata locomotive repair shops, wiping out close to a third of its workforce in the facility, officials say.

You can read Norfolk Southern’s statement below:

"Norfolk Southern today announced the closure of its Roanoke Distribution Center in Virginia and the planned transfer of the work associated with its Roanoke Locomotive Shop to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Roanoke Locomotive Shop mechanical employees will have the opportunity to transfer to the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona and will be eligible for relocation benefits.

"This difficult but necessary decision reflects the importance of ensuring the company maintains the right mix of people and facilities, in the right locations, to deliver exceptional customer service. This decision follows a 48% decline in coal tons shipped since 2008. Norfolk Southern also has seen a 22% reduction in our locomotive fleet since late 2018, reducing the volume of locomotive maintenance and repair required to operate safely.

"We maintain a longstanding affiliation with the Roanoke area and the many generations of highly talented men and women who have worked for NS in Roanoke, which makes today’s announcement especially difficult. Norfolk Southern will continue its presence and operations in Roanoke, employing more than 650 people in the Roanoke Valley."

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