The Federal Railroad Administration has signed the Record of Decision for the Washington, D.C., to Richmond Southeast Higher Speed Rail Project (DC2RVA), which completes the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and makes the project eligible for federal funding to advance planning.
“DC2RVA is a critical element of our vision to move more people through the entire I-95 corridor by providing safe, reliable multi-modal travel opportunities for our citizens,” said Shannon Valentine, Virginia Secretary of Transportation. “I thank our partners at the FRA and CSX for their dedicated support and shared vision for the future of rail in Virginia.”
In 2014, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) was awarded a $44 million federal grant, funding nearly 80 percent of EIS study costs. Additional investments from the commonwealth of Virginia and CSX enabled DRPT to also complete preliminary engineering and 30 percent design of the 123-mile CSX-owned and -operated rail corridor running between Chesterfield County and the approach to the Long Bridge over the Potomac River in Arlington County.
The vision for DC2RVA is to increase rail capacity in order to deliver additional and more reliable passenger and commuter rail parallel to the heavily congested I-95 corridor. Upon completion, the project will bridge the growing megaregions of the Northeast and Southeast United States. Another benefit of DC2RVA’s design accommodates future freight rail growth opportunities at the Port of Virginia in Norfolk, already the most rail-connected seaport on the Atlantic Coast.
“DC2RVA includes a long-term vision for transforming the future of rail in Virginia for generations to come,” said Jennifer Mitchell, DRPT director. “Now that environmental clearance is complete, construction of additional rail capacity in the Northern Virginia region can begin.”
While working with more than 90 agencies, local governments and community groups, as well as conducting 23 public meetings during the past six years, DRPT received extensive public comment and participation throughout the DC2RVA study process. The ROD contains final commitments from DRPT regarding all future efforts to mitigate impacts to cultural resources and historic properties along the project corridor.
