A program of rail infrastructure projects underway in Virginia’s congested rail corridor outside Washington, DC aims to accommodate planned expansions in passenger service while improving the efficiency of freight traffic.
Led by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), the program includes the Alexandria Fourth Track project, a two-year, $238.4 million effort to separate passenger and freight traffic in a corridor where five tracks currently converge on three. Fay’s general contractor, S&B USA Construction of Pittsburgh, Pa., will build six miles of new rail and infrastructure dedicated to passenger trains, with connection capabilities for use by freight trains during maintenance and construction activities.
The north end of the new track will connect to VPRA’s $2.3 billion long bridge project, which adds a two-track rail bridge that crosses the Potomac River between Arlington and Washington. This project is currently scheduled for completion in 2030.
In a separate contract, awarded by Virginia Rail Express (VRE), Kokosing Construction Co. will build $231.4 million in improvements to the Alexandria station. Focused on improving safety at the major stop for both VRE and Amtrak trains, the project involves the construction of a tunnel, stairs and elevators to replace the existing level crossing between the station’s two platforms. The platforms will also be lengthened and improved, with the curb edges raised 8 inches above the top of the rail. Currently, unusually low platforms require passengers to use box steps to get on and off trains.
Kokosing will also replace two aging open-deck rail bridges adjacent to the station with ballasted-deck superstructures and new abutments, improving safety for both train operations and the motorists, pedestrians and cyclists riding underneath. To complement the new bridges, Alexandria City Council is currently designing streetscape improvements that will improve the gateway to the city.
Scheduled for completion in 2030, the Alexandria-area rail improvements will allow Virginia to increase the number of daily state-supported Amtrak round trips to 13, up from the current eight. VRE also plans to expand service on its Fredericksburg and Manassas lines, including adding weekend trains. Funding for rail projects is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, VRE and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
