The original goal of the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad was to provide a link for shipments of goods originating on the Roanoke River and its canal system from points west to reach port facilities in the Norfolk area on the harbor of Hampton Roads.
The original purpose of the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad was to create a route for goods transported from the Roanoke River and its canal system, originating in the west, to reach port facilities in Norfolk on Hampton Roads' harbor.