ARLINGTON, Va. — Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday announced a $3.7 billion investment between Virginia and CSX that is expected to help congestion and overuse of the Long Bridge that crosses the Potomac River, which often runs at 98 capacity during peak hours.
The investment includes more than 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of track, Northam said. Plus, 37 miles of new track improvements that will include a Franconia-Springfield bypass.
The tracks are to be dedicated exclusively to passenger and commuter rail -- a major part of this announcement.
The Long Bridge currently in use, which has been around since 1904 and is owned by CSX, carries every passenger, commuter and CSX freight train that crosses the Potomac River. It has only two tracks.
"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," Northam said. "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."
The negotiations on improvements between the Commonwealth and CSX are expected to increase service levels. Northam's office said 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 service by 75 percent along the Interstate 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
- Preserving an existing freight corridor between Doswell and Clifton Forge for future east-west passenger service
"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, CSX president and CEO. "We thank Gov. 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."
A study done by the Stephen F. Fuller Institute at George Mason University estimates rail commuters will contribute an additional $2 billion annually to Virginia because of expanded commuter activity made possible by a new Long Bridge.
The major announcement at the National Landing Marketing Center happened after Northam took part in a groundbreaking of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. The station is being built to cater to those moving to the area to work at Amazon's HQ2.