Passengers currently riding VRE commuter trains and Amtrack say that this will be a huge help in getting them where they need to be efficiently.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A major rail expansion project is underway in Northern Virginia, and transportation leaders say it could dramatically reduce delays for the thousands of riders who pass through Alexandria each day.
The Alexandria Fourth Rail Expansion Project will add a fourth track dedicated solely to passenger rail, separating it from freight trains that currently share the same lines. Virginia Transportation Secretary Shep Miller said that the bottleneck, freight and passenger trains competing for limited track space, is one of the biggest reasons for backups across the region.
“It’s a game changer,” Miller said. “Two rails each way—one passenger, one freight. Fantastic for Virginia, but for the entire East Coast.”
The $238.4 million project is a partnership between the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the City of Alexandria, Amtrak, and Virginia Railway Express. Crews will lay six miles of new track between Arlington and Alexandria and make several station upgrades, including new platform-connecting bridges and additional elevators.
Riders say they’re hopeful the separation of freight and passenger traffic will finally cut down on unpredictable delays.
“Anything that would reduce the congestion would be very much appreciated,” one commuter told WUSA9.
Another added, “You don’t have to sit behind a freight train that’s running late, that impacts passenger travel.”
Construction is expected to take about two years, and officials warn that riders may see some short-term delays while work is underway. But they say the long-term benefits–more reliable service, fewer backups, and a smoother commute–will be worth the temporary disruption.
“Maybe it’ll even encourage more people to take public transportation,” one passenger said.
The project is part of Virginia’s broader effort to expand passenger rail capacity and improve road traffic in the area.