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VRE Gainesville-Haymarket Extension (VRE-GHX) -- CANCELLED


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#11 Sloan

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Posted 09 July 2016 - 06:08 AM

 

 

Virginia's commuter rail service may become more of a transit system

 

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), a commuter rail system with a large coverage area but somewhat infrequent service, is considering both running trains more frequently and adding new stations, but funding constraints may force a choice between the two. More trains, more often would make VRE more like a transit system, with regular service throughout the day rather than just at rush hour.

http://greatergreate...transit-system/

 

I'm glad there is strong movement to expand VRE.  The lack of a one-seat ride into DC—even at off-peak—, would not have much appeal.  On the other hand, even with extra tracks to accommodate CSX traffic, there is the matter of congestion in Union Station. Would there be enough slots to accommodate extra VRE trains?  Sloan



#12 CNJRoss

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Posted 03 November 2016 - 06:39 PM

VRE TrainTalk eNews, 11/3:

 

VRE to Present Final Draft Gainesville-Haymarket Extension Alternatives at Community Meeting

 

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) announced today the public is invited to participate in the third community meeting for the Virginia Railway Express Gainesville-Haymarket Extension (VRE GHX) study.

 

This will be an opportunity to comment on the final draft alternatives to be considered by the VRE Operations Board. These alternatives will represent the most viable options to expand VRE Manassas Line service, based on public comments received and the study analysis conducted to-date. Public comments from this third community meeting will help the study team refine the final draft alternatives for expanded VRE service. The VRE Operations Board will consider the public comments received as part of their potential decision to recommend one or more alternatives for federal environmental review, in addition to more detailed planning and engineering analysis.

 

VRE is evaluating a range of alternatives to expand VRE Manassas Line service, including an extension along the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) B-Line, as well as relocating the existing Broad Run station to a new location near Godwin Drive in Manassas. All alternatives under consideration would increase the frequency of VRE service from about every 30 minutes in the mornings and evenings to approximately every 20 minutes. VRE initiated the study in July 2015. It is a critical step toward enhancing service on the Manassas Line and expanding VRE options for travel in the region. If the analysis supports continued project development, final design and construction will follow, with passenger rail operations beginning in 2022 or later. This schedule is subject to funding availability and approval by NS, the owner of the rail line.

 

The VRE GHX study is being conducted in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Prince William County, Norfolk Southern Railway, and other stakeholders, building upon information gained through prior studies within the GHX and I-66 corridors. The study team is investigating possible station locations and service plans, in addition to identifying track improvements to support VRE service. The study also includes preliminary engineering, design work and an assessment of potential environmental impacts as part of the effort to identify a Locally Preferred Alternative. Please visit the VRE GHX project website for additional information at www.vre.org/ghx.

 

Public engagement is a critical part of this initiative. VRE encourages the public to attend this community meeting to learn more about the project and provide their input on the final draft alternatives.

 

The meeting will take place as follows:

 

December 7, 2016

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

at

Piney Branch Elementary School

8301 Linton Hall Rd., Door 1, Bristow, VA 20136

 

This meeting will be conducted in a location accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, should call Paul Dean at (703) 684-1001, TTY (703) 684-0551 or e-mail ghx@vre.org at least ten days prior to the meeting in order to make the necessary arrangements.



#13 KevinKorell

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Posted 03 November 2016 - 07:13 PM

relocating the existing Broad Run station to a new location near Godwin Drive in Manassas
I'm assuming from the above that the proposed new location for what is now the Broad Run station would be along the new route? If so, then the new line would become a true extension rather than a branch.  That also orphans the storage/maintenance facility adjacent to the current Broad Run station, but I would assume it would be more prudent to locate a new one closer to what will become the new outer limit of the line hear Haymarket.


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#14 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 November 2016 - 06:07 AM

 

relocating the existing Broad Run station to a new location near Godwin Drive in Manassas
I'm assuming from the above that the proposed new location for what is now the Broad Run station would be along the new route? If so, then the new line would become a true extension rather than a branch.  That also orphans the storage/maintenance facility adjacent to the current Broad Run station, but I would assume it would be more prudent to locate a new one closer to what will become the new outer limit of the line hear Haymarket.

 

 

No assumption needed.

 

All of the options being considered would terminate the the Manassas line along the NS B line, rather than the main line where Broad Run is located.  Innovation (inside the Manassas city limits) is the closest in of the 3 terminal sites being considered,   If terminating there would require a new storage/maintenance site clearly a decision to extend to Gainsville or Haymarket would also require a new site.

 

From the VRE_GHX FAQs:
 

If VRE service is extended to a terminus at Innovation, could VRE still use the Broad Run equipment storage and maintenance yard?

 

No. With any VRE extension, a new yard would be required at the end of the line to avoid adverse impacts to NS freight operations and to minimize long-term VRE operating costs.

 

VRE GHX Virtual Site Visit  (4:49 video) shows the study areas.



#15 CNJRoss

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Posted 02 December 2016 - 07:55 AM

VRE Train Talk eNews, 12/2:

 

Gainesville/Haymarket community meeting

 

It’s less than a week until final draft alternatives are presented at the #VREGHX community meeting on Dec. 7 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Piney Branch Elementary School. For more information, visit www.vre.org/ghx

 



#16 CNJRoss

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Posted 02 December 2016 - 11:47 AM

VRE Train Talk eNews, 12/2:

 

VRE to Present Final Draft Gainesville-Haymarket Extension Alternatives at Community Meeting

 

Alexandria, VA. – The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) announced today the public is invited to participate in the third community meeting for the Virginia Railway Express Gainesville-Haymarket Extension (VRE GHX) study.

 

This will be an opportunity to comment on the final draft alternatives to be considered by the VRE Operations Board. These alternatives will represent the most viable options to expand VRE Manassas Line service, based on public comments received and the study analysis conducted to-date. Public comments from this third community meeting will help the study team refine the final draft alternatives for expanded VRE service. The VRE Operations Board will consider the public comments received as part of their potential decision to recommend one or more alternatives for federal environmental review, in addition to more detailed planning and engineering analysis.

 

VRE is evaluating a range of alternatives to expand VRE Manassas Line service, including an extension along the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) B-Line, as well as relocating the existing Broad Run station to a new location near Godwin Drive in Manassas. All alternatives under consideration would increase the frequency of VRE service from about every 30 minutes in the mornings and evenings to approximately every 20 minutes. VRE initiated the study in July 2015. It is a critical step toward enhancing service on the Manassas Line and expanding VRE options for travel in the region. If the analysis supports continued project development, final design and construction will follow, with passenger rail operations beginning in 2022 or later. This schedule is subject to funding availability and approval by NS, the owner of the rail line.

 

The VRE GHX study is being conducted in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Prince William County, Norfolk Southern Railway, and other stakeholders, building upon information gained through prior studies within the GHX and I-66 corridors. The study team is investigating possible station locations and service plans, in addition to identifying track improvements to support VRE service. The study also includes preliminary engineering, design work and an assessment of potential environmental impacts as part of the effort to identify a Locally Preferred Alternative. Please visit the VRE GHX project website for additional information at www.vre.org/ghx.

Public engagement is a critical part of this initiative. VRE encourages the public to attend this community meeting to learn more about the project and provide their input on the final draft alternatives.

The meeting will take place as follows:


December 7, 2016
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
at
Piney Branch Elementary School
8301 Linton Hall Rd., Door 1, Bristow, VA 20136

This meeting will be conducted in a location accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, should call Paul Dean at (703) 684-1001, TTY (703) 684-0551 or e-mail ghx@vre.org at least ten days prior to the meeting in order to make the necessary arrangements.
 

 



#17 CNJRoss

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Posted 10 December 2016 - 09:21 PM

VRE-GHX.org:

Community Meeting #3 December 7, 2016

The third Community Meeting for the VRE Gainesville-Haymarket Extension was held on December 7, 2016, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Piney Branch Elementary School. The meeting  included a presentation, informational display boards, and interactive activities. All meeting materials are posted below.

Presentation

You have three options for reviewing the presentation from the meeting.

  • Download the presentation – updated since December meeting (click here)
  • Flip through the slides (below)
  • Take the survey (click here)
  • Watch the recording (Coming Soon)

Continue here.



#18 CNJRoss

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Posted 12 December 2016 - 10:29 AM

WTOP radio, 12/12/16:
 

Future looks dim for proposed VRE extension

 

WASHINGTON — The future looks dim for a proposal to extend Virginia Railway Express to the Gainesville-Haymarket area of Prince William County, a long-standing plan that was considered a way to give Interstate 66 commuters more options.

 

A team that has been studying the idea since July 2015 now says the costs would outweigh the benefits. It recommends the VRE Operations Board go a different route and endorse an alternative.

 

Continue here.



#19 KevinKorell

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Posted 12 December 2016 - 04:54 PM

Fauquier Now, Warrenton, VA, 12/12/16:

Haymarket commuter rail extension deemed unlikely

 

Construction of a Haymarket station for an 11-mile westward expansion of commuter rail looks unlikely.

Since July 2015, Virginia Railway Express has studied potential extension to the Gainesville-Haymarket area as a way to give Interstate 66 commuters more options.

Article



Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ


#20 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 December 2016 - 08:07 AM

WTOP radio, 12/14:
 

VRE Broad Run proposal vote delayed

 
 
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday delayed a vote that could have backed an expansion of the railyard and a relocation of the station at Broad Run, an alternative to expansion options that include building a track next to the existing Norfolk Southern freight line from Manassas to Haymarket.

 

Supervisor Marty Nohe — who represents parts of the area where the expansion would run and who leads the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Board— wants the VRE Operations Board to delay any decision until next month.

 

Continue here.






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