The 3.7 billion rail plan in Virginia is an ambitious proposal to expand and improve passenger rail service across the state over the next decade. The plan was put forward in 2022 by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and aims to leverage state and federal funding to upgrade infrastructure, increase frequency of trains, and extend service to new areas. If fully implemented, the rail plan has the potential to transform transportation and mobility in Virginia by providing more alternatives to driving.
Background on Passenger Rail in Virginia
Passenger rail service has a long history in Virginia, but has declined over the past several decades. Amtrak currently operates two long distance trains through Virginia – the Crescent from New York to New Orleans, and the Silver Star from New York to Miami. Several other Amtrak lines pass through portions of the state. Commuter rail service is limited to the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), which connects Fredericksburg and Manassas with Washington D.C. The Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR) also passes through Virginia, connecting to similar lines in North Carolina and south to Florida.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in expanding rail due to its environmental and congestion reduction benefits. Virginia has designated an Intrastate Rail Compact to coordinate rail planning among state agencies. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) oversees passenger rail initiatives and works with stakeholders like Amtrak, VRE, and local governments. Improving rail service has been a priority for Virginia’s recent governors.
Details of the $3.7 Billion Rail Plan
In April 2022, Governor Youngkin announced a 10-year rail plan for $3.7 billion in state and federal investments. The plan focuses on four main initiatives:
Southeast High Speed Rail
– Extend SEHSR service south to Roanoke and Christiansburg ($574 million)
– Increase frequency of SEHSR trains to 16 round trips per day ($50 million)
– Improve on-time performance through infrastructure upgrades ($250 million)
New Western Virginia Service
– Launch Norfolk to Roanoke service with 4 round trips per day ($100 million)
– Initiate Bristol to Roanoke service with 2 round trips per day ($75 million)
Virginia Corridor Improvements
– Add regional train service from D.C. to Richmond/Norfolk ($1.5 billion)
– Improve reliability of existing Virginia Regional trains ($500 million)
– Extend VRE commuter rail service to Gainesville and Haymarket ($350 million)
State of Good Repair Investments
– Bridge repairs and replacements statewide ($250 million)
– Track improvements on major corridors ($100 million)
– Station upgrades for accessibility and modern amenities ($50 million)
Projected Benefits of the Rail Plan
The Virginia rail plan is predicted to deliver substantial benefits if fully implemented over the next decade:
– Ridership would increase from under 4 million yearly passengers today to over 15 million by 2030.
– Rail would carry 20% of trips over 50 miles in length, up from less than 2% currently.
– Congestion reduction equal to 5 new highway lanes in Northern Virginia and 4 new lanes in Hampton Roads by 2030.
– Reduced highway maintenance costs of $275 million per year.
– 30% increase in intercity bus services connecting with passenger rail stations.
– Estimated economic impact of $2 billion per year from improved connectivity.
Rail Segment | Current Service | Proposed Enhancements |
---|---|---|
Southeast High Speed Rail | 2 round trips per day | 16 round trips per day |
Norfolk-Roanoke | No existing service | 4 daily round trips |
Bristol-Roanoke | No existing service | 2 daily round trips |
D.C.-Richmond/Norfolk | Limited regional service | Frequent regional trains |
VRE Commuter | Fredericksburg-D.C. Manassas-D.C. |
Extensions to Gainesville and Haymarket |
Funding for the Rail Plan
The total estimated cost for the Virginia rail plan is $3.7 billion over 10 years. This will require a combination of federal, state, regional, and local funding. Key funding sources include:
– Federal Capital Investment Grants and State of Good Repair grants
– Revenue from Virginia’s membership in the Transportation and Climate Initiative carbon pricing program
– $3.1 billion from the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated to Virginia
– Redirected funding from Virginia highway projects
– Public-private partnerships with freight railroads that own tracks used for passenger service
– Regional transportation funds from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization
The rail plan will be implemented in phases as funding becomes available. The highest priority phases expected to advance soonest are extending SEHSR service to Roanoke, adding a train from D.C. to Richmond, and initial investments in state of good repair projects.
Challenges Facing the Rail Plan
While the Virginia rail plan has strong momentum, there are some obstacles that could hinder its full implementation:
– Passenger and freight rail operators must coordinate schedules on shared tracks
– Construction costs may increase beyond estimates
– Ongoing subsidies required to operate new rail services
– Potential funding uncertainties based on economic conditions and political priorities
– Communities may oppose new rail service over noise or construction impacts
– Passenger rail competes with other transportation projects for limited state and federal funding
Proponents argue the benefits far outweigh the costs and challenges. Advocacy groups like Virginians for High Speed Rail will continue building public support to see the plan to completion.
Next Steps
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is leading an 18-month effort to further plan details of the rail proposal. This will involve environmental reviews, analysis of economic impacts, engineering studies, and public outreach. DRPT will coordinate with partners like Amtrak, VRE, and Norfolk Southern while developing funding agreements and timelines to initiate projects.
Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly will incorporate elements of the rail plan into the state’s Six Year Improvement Program for transportation spending. DRPT will apply for federal Capital Investment Grants and other competitive programs as opportunities arise. There will likely be significant progress on some pieces of the plan within the next few years.
Conclusion
The $3.7 billion Virginia rail plan represents a transformative vision for intercity passenger rail over the next decade. Fast, frequent, and reliable trains connecting major cities would provide substantial benefits for mobility, the economy, and the environment. Though funding and coordination challenges remain, the plan appears to have strong momentum with bipartisan political support. If realized, expanded rail service will reshape transportation options across Virginia for future generations.