5 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

VRE 3/23:

 

Crystal City Station Improvements

 

The public is invited to a community meeting for the VRE Crystal City Station Improvements project.

 

WHEN: Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 5:00 to 7:30 PM (Presentation at 5:30 PM)

WHERE: 2011 Crystal Drive 11^th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

Directions and Parking Information

 

Come and learn more about the project and provide comments on the Proposed Options for station location, and the Evaluation Factors that should be considered to identify a Preferred Alternative.

Download the presentation HERE. 

 

Optionally, drop by the Crystal City Station to discuss the project with VRE Staff on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 3:00 – 6:30 PM

 

Send written comments by April 10, 2017 via email to: ssoneji@vre.org

Or via mail Attention: Sonali Soneji, Project Manager

Virginia Railway Express, 1500 King St. Suite 202, Alexandria VA 22314

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The VRE Crystal City station is one of the busiest in the system and is the destination for about 18% of VRE riders. However, the existing platform is only 400 feet long and serves one track. VRE trains currently have up to eight cars which require a 700-foot platform. A reconfigured station with a longer platform served by two tracks would remove an operational bottleneck and expand train capacity in the most heavily trafficked part of the CSXT RF&P Subdivision. It will also improve the safety and reliability of the railroad.

 

A new island platform with two platform edges will be designed in the vicinity of the existing VRE Crystal City station. Conceptual plans  will be coordinated with a future fourth track currently under design by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation's DC to Richmond VA (DC2RVA) project. Two grade-separated access points will be provided between the platform and Crystal Drive. The project will also enhance local and regional connectivity by optimizing multimodal access, especially to Metrorail, Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway, local buses and shuttles, taxi stand or kiss-and-ride areas, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 

 

The current phase of the project will:

• Identify key factors related to the location and design of the improved station through stakeholder and public outreach;
• Select a location for an improved VRE Crystal City station platform based on the railroad geometry and accessibility to Crystal City area destinations;
• Identify a preferred alternative station configuration to advance into preliminary engineering; and
• Identify key environmental issues that will need to be addressed in the next phase of project development

 

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Proposed Timeline for Current Study

 

Funding is being sought for future phases of the project.

 

 

[KevinKorell]

 

The project will also enhance local and regional connectivity by optimizing multimodal access, especially to Metrorail, Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway, local buses and shuttles, taxi stand or kiss-and-ride areas, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 

I think it is critical that they improve the connection between VRE and Metrorail.  IIRC one has to walk through the Crystal City Underground to get between the two, or I suppose there is a more direct route at the surface.

[CNJRoss]

VRE Train Talk Alert, 5/25/17:

 

 

You're invited to attend 

 

Community Meetings  for the VRE Crystal City Station Improvements Project

 

  June 7th, 2017
from 12 pm to 1:30 pm OR 6 pm to 7:30 pm

at Gallery Underground

2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

 

 

The VRE Crystal City Station

 

As one of the busiest stations in the system, Crystal City experiences a significant amount of crowding on the platform. The current phase of the VRE Crystal City Station Improvements project will identify a location in Crystal City for an expanded station with a longer platform served by two tracks. 

 

Key goals of the project are to provide easy transfers to Metrorail, Metroway, local bus, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The new station will provide opportunities to better align with Crystal City’s vision for growth.  For more information, visit our webpage here. 

 

Presented by

 Sonali Soneji
ssoneji@vre.org

 

[CNJRoss]

ARLnow, Arlington, VA 10/17/19
 

County Board Poised to Advance Virginia Railway Express’s Crystal City Station Project

 

 

(Updated on 10/18/19) This weekend, the Arlington County Board will consider whether to help advance the overhaul of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Crystal City station.

 

The County Board is poised to vote this Saturday, October 19 on a resolution supporting the VRE’s application for $15.8 million in regional funding, which would help pay for the long-discussed plans to expand and redesign the station.

 

Arlington’s buy-in is required as part of the VRE’s funding application to the regional transit planning board Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), per a staff report to the Board.

 

The new station will feature 850-foot-long platforms to accommodate commuting trains. The station’s current 400-foot long platforms are too short to accommodate the trains’ length, forcing passengers to walk to the front cars to disembark at Crystal City.

 

Continue here w/photos.

[KevinKorell]

ARLNow, Arlington, VA, 1/19/21:

 

 

   New VRE Station Could Bring Amtrak to Crystal City in 2024   

 

A new Virginia Railway Express station could bring Amtrak service to Crystal City, says a new report.

 

The expanded and relocated station is set to open in 2024 and Amtrak is currently “exploring” adding regional service to this station.

 

Read more here.

 

So if I am understanding this correctly, besides serving Crystal City, the train station and accompanying projects will make it possible for this station to also be pedestrian-friendly for a short walk to Reagan National Airport.  Thus Amtrak would gain another Airport station, this one much closer to the actual airport than BWI or EWR.   

 

My concern though is that with another stop between Washington and Alexandria, it will negate the time-saving benefits of the new Long Bridge.   Some Amtrak trains also make a stop at L'Enfant Plaza's VRE station, though not shown on the Amtrak timetable.

[KevinKorell]

ARL Now, 2/17/21:

 

 

    A New Maryland Law Could Bring MARC Service to Crystal City   

 

 

A new Maryland law greases the wheels for Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) train service to come to the new Crystal City station set to open in 2024.

 

Read this.

 

Cross posted in Stations and Commuter Trains forums.