25 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Bristol, VA Herald-Courier, 4/27/19:

 

 

 

Bridge project impacting Amtrak expansion in Virginia

 

 

 

A significant railroad bridge project in Arlington will indefinitely halt expanding passenger rail service in Virginia.

 

 

Story

[CNJRoss]

VHSR email 9/5/19
 

 

 

Long Bridge Study has been released...Time to take action!

 

I wanted to let you know that the draft EIS for the Long Bridge expansion project study has been released. The study recommends a new two-track bridge across the Potomac, as well as keeping the current bridge in place. This expansion of capacity will improve the reliability of our trains, reduce travel times, and allow for the increase of passenger rail service.

 

Overall, it increases our Amtrak service by 83 percent including New service to Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and NRV; New service to Richmond, Petersburg, Williamsburg, Newport News, and Norfolk; and New service to the Southeast including to Raleigh and Charlotte. It also allows for 58 more VRE trains and 8 new reverse commute MARC trains!

 

Please take a moment and submit a public comment via our action page.

 

TAKE ACTION

 

Thanks again for your support of VHSR and your efforts to help us improve the Commonwealth’s passenger rail network.

Danny Plaugher
Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

Virginians for High Speed Rail
5101 Monument Ave.  | Richmond, Virginia 23230
804-864-5193 | vhsr@vhsr.com

 

[CNJRoss]

RT&S 9/11/19

Rail bridge in Washington, D.C., needs help to accommodate increase in train traffic

 

 

Officials are considering a project that involves the construction of another bridge alongside the Long Bridge. There also will be a bike and pedestrian bridge.

Long Bridge Project

 

 

Officials do not think the Long Bridge in the Washington, D.C., area needs to put on any more muscle. It just needs a companion.

 

By 2040, traffic on the rail bridge, which carries about 76 trains daily, is expected to increase 150 percent. To prepare for the extra capacity, the Long Bridge needs some help. The span, which is the cause of a bottleneck because the main line goes from three tracks to two leading up to the crossing, is in good condition. CSX, owner of the bridge, executed a rehabilitation project just three years ago. Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak also use the bridge.

 

Construction of a second bridge alongside the Long Bridge over the Potomac River has been proposed. That span also will hold two tracks and will cost as much as $1.6 billion and take about five years to build. Officials favor the option because it is the most cost-effective and will impact the environment the least.  .  .  .

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WWBT-TV Richmond, VA 10/4/19

 

Rusting Potomac River railroad bridge facing overhaul - and maybe more

 

A freight train crosses the rust-covered Long Bridge over the Potomac River between Washington and northern Virginia. (Source: Heather Kim/Capital News Service)

 

WASHINGTON - Of the eight bridges connecting the nation’s capital to northern Virginia across the Potomac River, only one is a railroad bridge. And that one stands out for its, shall we say, reddish tint.

 

But plans are moving forward to renovate the rusting 115-year-old Long Bridge, one of a cluster of five bridges that link the District of Columbia and Arlington along U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 395. Owned and operated by CSX Transportation, the two-track bridge currently carries freight, Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express commuter trains.

 

Repairs to the bridge are needed to withstand increased railroad capacity by 2040, according to a draft environmental impact statement released by the District Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration last month.

 

Continue here.

 

[CNJRoss]

Greater Greater Washington, 11/20/19

Virginia plans to expand the Long Bridge connection with another crossing

 

 

The state of Virginia and the District are planning to add another crossing to supplement the rail capacity of the 115-year-old Long Bridge and expand commuter, intercity, and freight rail service throughout the region. Addressing the Long Bridge bottleneck is vital to Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express’s (VRE) ability to run more frequent trains and prepare for expected growth in ridership, as well as growth in freight throughout the eastern seaboard.

 

SNIP

 

Widening Long Bridge is necessary for more rail in Virginia and DC

 

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has been leading planning for the bridge overhaul, while Virginia will be the entity in charge of doing the actual work. DDOT is currently leading the planning required as part of the federal environmental review process, and published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) earlier this year. DDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration narrowed the alternative plans to two prior to the release of the DEIS.

 

The preferred alternative would add a new two-track rail bridge north of the Long Bridge while retaining the existing bridge without modifications. The plan would cost approximately $1.9 billion. The existing span would retain its CSX ownership, and the new span would be Virginia’s.

 

 

Alternative A, the preferred alternative for Long Bridge. Image by DDOT.

 

The rest of Alternative A for Long Bridge Image by DDOT.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

Cross-posted from DC2RVA -- Washington, D.C. to Richmond, VA High(er) Speed Rail

 

VA Governor Ralph Northam press release 12/19/19

Virginia and CSX Announce Landmark Rail Agreement

 

 

A new Long Bridge, infrastructure to transform passenger, commuter, and freight rail in the Commonwealth

 

 

ARLINGTON—Governor Ralph Northam today announced a landmark agreement to expand reliability and service on Virginia’s rail lines, creating a pathway to separate passenger and freight operations along the Richmond to Washington, D.C. corridor. The parties will continue work to finalize definitive agreements with execution planned in the second half of 2020.

 

The agreement between the Commonwealth and CSX outlines a $3.7 billion investment that includes:

• Building a new Virginia-owned Long Bridge across the Potomac River, with tracks dedicated exclusively to passenger and commuter rail; 
• Acquisition of more than 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of track; and
• 37 miles of new track improvements, including a Franconia-Springfield bypass.  

 

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make our rail system work better for everyone, both in Virginia and along the entire East Coast,” said Governor Northam. “This agreement will change the future of transportation in Virginia, improving our ability to move people and goods across the state, and opening up potential rail service in underserved parts of the Commonwealth.”

 

Currently Long Bridge, built in 1904 and owned by CSX, carries every passenger, commuter, and CSX freight train that crosses the Potomac River. But it has only two tracks, and is at 98 percent capacity in peak times. The new bridge will relieve this bottleneck, providing track for passenger and commuter trains while freight trains exclusively use the existing Long Bridge.

 

“CSX is proud of the innovative agreement reached with the Commonwealth of Virginia which will advance our goals for increased safety, efficiency, and volume growth while meeting the public’s desire for more passenger rail service to relieve commuter traffic congestion in the I-95 corridor,” said Jim Foote, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSX. “We thank Governor Northam, Secretary Valentine, and her team for their leadership on this partnership that will benefit CSX and the people of Virginia for many years to come.”

 

The Commonwealth has negotiated improvements with CSX to increase service levels. These improvements will be phased in over 10 years, resulting in the additional service:

• Doubling the number of Virginia Amtrak trains; 
• Providing nearly hourly Amtrak service between Richmond and Washington, D.C.;
• Increasing Virginia Railway Express (VRE) service by 75 percent along the I-95 corridor, with 15-minute intervals during peak periods and adding weekend service; 
• Increasing Amtrak service to Newport News and allowing for improved schedule of the third Amtrak train to Norfolk;
• Laying the foundation for Southeast High Speed Rail through the acquisition of the abandoned S-Line which runs from Petersburg into North Carolina; and
• Preserving an existing freight corridor between Doswell and Clifton Forge for future east-west passenger service.  

 

The Commonwealth is bringing together federal, state, and regional partners to fund the proposal, with Amtrak playing a critical role. The Amtrak Board of Directors has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth that outlines their commitment to this program. 

 

“Amtrak is thrilled to be supporting this game-changing rail investment program as an investor and partner,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Commercial Officer. “This program is a model for the nation of how to grow passenger and freight service together in order to relieve congestion, protect our environment, and enhance mobility.”

 

These agreements allow the Commonwealth to move forward with confirming commitments from potential partners and give Virginia the opening to bring more partners to the table.

 

“Today’s announcement represents the start of an exciting new chapter for commuter rail in Virginia,” said Katie Cristol, Chair of VRE’s Operations Board. “Expansion of the Long Bridge will enable us to grow VRE service to include new riders, new hours, and new weekend service—in short, to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for tens of thousands more Northern Virginians. That vision is truly within reach, with the Commonwealth now in a position to own and manage this major passenger rail asset.”

 

Studies show that highway expansion is increasingly unable to alleviate gridlock and congestion in Northern Virginia. The Commonwealth’s Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment is completing a study of the I-95 Corridor. One preliminary finding estimates a $12.5 billion cost to build one additional lane in each direction for approximately 50 miles—with congestion returning in the peak period the day it opens.

 

“As we work to maximize investments in highways, transit, and Metro, this partnership creates an unprecedented opportunity to unlock the potential of rail and commuter rail, and allows Virginia to focus on customer service, reliability, and performance,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “This also provides the critical infrastructure needed to explore options to expand rail to other corridors in the Commonwealth.” 

 

This rail expansion is expected to remove five million cars and one million trucks off Virginia highways each year, and propel the Port of Virginia toward its goal of moving 40 percent of containers by rail. In addition, the acquisition of portions of the Buckingham Branch will preserve a future opportunity to create an east-west “college” corridor.

 

“VRE already moves the equivalent of one lane of traffic off I-95 and I-395 each day,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Director of Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “This agreement will allow Virginia to move double the number of people at a fraction of the cost.” 

 

The Stephen F. Fuller Institute at George Mason University estimates rail commuters will contribute an additional $2 billion annually to Virginia due to expanded commuter activity made possible by a new Long Bridge.

# # #

 

 

[KevinKorell]

WDBJ-TV, Channel 7 in Roanoke, VA, 12/25/19:

 

 

 

Charlottesville area could see benefits from plans to expand rail across Virginia  

 

 

 

Governor Ralph Northam recently announced a new agreement to expand Virginia’s rail lines along the Richmond-to-Washington, DC. corridor. The project is expected to take five million cars and one million trucks off the commonwealth’s highways.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Editorial in Fredericksburg, VA Free Lance-Star, 8/10/20:

 

  EDITORIAL: Long Bridge is still a good investment  

 

 

 

THE GOOD news is that the coronavirus pandemic has not derailed one of the region’s most important transit projects: the construction of a second Long Bridge over the Potomac River reserved exclusively for Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express passenger trains.

 

Editorial

[CNJRoss]

Washington, DC DOT and VA Deprt. of Rail and Public Transportation joint press release:

September 3, 2020

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Long Bridge Project Reaches Critical Milestone

~ Completion of Environmental Planning a Significant Step in Passenger Rail Expansion,
Connecting North to South through the National Capital Region ~

 

 

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced today the conclusion of the environmental planning process for the Long Bridge rail project.  This marks a major milestone in the planning process for the new rail bridge and independent pedestrian/bicycle bridge that will span the Potomac River and opens the door for the final engineering design, financing, and construction of Long Bridge.

 

“A new bridge across the Potomac River represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the rail system work better for everyone along the entire East Coast,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “The project has passed an important milestone, thanks to close collaboration between Virginia, D.C., and the private sector. We are all excited about bringing easier and faster mobility to commuters and travelers.”

 

The completion of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Records of Decision (ROD) is key for the advancement of the Long Bridge project, and its completion demonstrates the cooperation among the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), DRPT, DDOT, CSX, and the National Park Service (NPS).

 

“By increasing freight and passenger rail capacity and adding long-sought connections between bicycle and pedestrian routes in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, the Long Bridge Project is helping us build not just a more connected region, but a greener and more sustainable region,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.

 

“The completion of the FEIS and ROD for the proposed Long Bridge capacity expansion project is a significant milestone that will allow Virginia and the District of Columbia to move forward with expanding the rail crossing over the Potomac River,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Ronald L. Batory. “This effort was the result of collaboration at the state and federal level and was supported by FRA grants for planning and environmental review.”

 

Owned and operated by CSX, the existing Long Bridge is the only railroad bridge connecting Virginia to the District of Columbia and is one of the most significant passenger and freight rail choke points along the entire east coast.  Under normal circumstances, the bridge functions at 98% capacity during peak periods, preventing the District, Virginia, and Maryland from increasing passenger and commuter rail service for their communities. 

 

“We appreciate the strong collaboration with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the District of Columbia, VRE, and Amtrak throughout the Long Bridge study process,” said James M. Foote, CSX president and chief executive officer. “CSX looks forward to continuing these positive partnerships as we work to improve both freight and passenger rail capacity and service in the region.”

 

The expanded Long Bridge will enable Virginia to double its state-supported Amtrak passenger rail service, significantly increase Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail service by 2030, and make way for potential future run-through commuter rail service connecting Virginia and Maryland. 

 

“The Long Bridge project, made possible through collaboration with private, state, and federal partners, will transform passenger and freight rail operations for generations to come,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine.  “Unlocking the gridlock across the Potomac will improve rail service, expand capacity for the Port of Virginia, connect workers to key employment centers, and contribute to our nation’s economic recovery and growth.”

 

The new, Virginia-owned, two-track bridge will be built across the Potomac River adjacent to the CSX freight bridge and will be dedicated exclusively to passenger and commuter rail.  Through the separation of passenger and freight rail, the new bridge will also reduce congestion and improve fluidity for CSX and its customers.  This additional efficiency is expected to translate to increased freight rail, removing an additional 1 million trucks from Virginia and District roadways each year.

 

In addition to rail congestion relief, the Long Bridge project will create a new, independent pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing of the Potomac River between the Mount Vernon Trail, Crystal City, and the monumental core of the District of Columbia.

 

“These new bridges will ensure personal mobility is prioritized for District residents and commuters, without the negative impacts of increased traffic congestion or air pollution,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian.  “This project is another example of the Bowser Administration’s commitment to not only expanding DC’s network of protected bicycle lanes, but also investing in infrastructure that will make alternative transportation safer for commuters and residents.”

 

The FEIS and ROD also make the Long Bridge project eligible for additional federal financing opportunities.  Initial cost estimates for the bridge project comprise nearly $1.9 billion of the $3.7 billion total cost of the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, financed through local, regional, state, and federal sources, including a $944 million partnership with Amtrak.

 

“Amtrak commends this latest development for the construction of a new, expanded Long Bridge, which will be a critical step in increasing passenger rail, protecting our environment and enhancing mobility,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Commercial Officer. “We look forward to continuing our work with Virginia and all stakeholders to move this important project forward and increase transportation options for the community.”

 

The completed environmental impact study for Long Bridge, initiated by the District of Columbia in 2016, evolved to include the addition of the bicycle and pedestrian bridge and an expansion of the track design from three to four tracks from Alexandria north.  The EIS was partially funded through a local match provided by Virginia Railway Express.   

 

“VRE’s ability to improve reliability and increase service is contingent upon this dedicated passenger rail bridge,” said VRE Acting CEO Rich Dalton. “As a funding partner, we look forward to working with our colleagues at DRPT, Amtrak, CSX, and other state and federal agencies to bring about this transformation, which will improve the commutes of Virginians in our service area for decades to come.”

 

For more information on the Long Bridge FEIS and ROD, please visit: www.longbridgeproject.com

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading,9/4/20

 

Long Bridge project poised to advance to design phase

 

Long Bridge is one of the most significant passenger- and freight-rail choke points along the East Coast. Photo – longbridgeproject.com

 

The extensive environmental planning process for the Long Bridge project has concluded, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and District of Columbia Department of Transportation announced yesterday.

 

SNIP

 

With environmental work finished, the project can advance to the final engineering, design, financing and construction phases.

 

“A new bridge across the Potomac River represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the rail system work better for everyone along the entire East Coast,” said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in a press release.

 

More here.