Potential Improvements to the Washington-Richmond Railroad
Report to Congress VOLUME I Potential Improvements to the Washington⎯Richmond Railroad Corridor National Railroad Passenger Corporation May 1999 National Railroad Passenger Corporation, 60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002 Telephone (202) 906-3000 May 26, 1999 Honorable Richard C. Shelby Chairman Subcommittee on Transportation United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Shelby : The Omnibus Consolidated Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999 directed Amtrak to identify the improvements and estimated costs necessary to support higher-speed passenger service between Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. This report, which was prepared by Amtrak in conjunction with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), outlines a transportation plan for this corridor and specifies, on a preliminary basis, the infrastructure improvements necessary to accommodate higher-speed rail passenger service, an increased level of commuter services and additional freight service along this track. Amtrak and the State of Virginia view the Washington-to-Richmond corridor as a logical extension of the Northeast Corridor and as a key area for market growth. Currently, this corridor handles several Washington to Richmond and Newport News Amtrak intercity trains, in addition to long-distance service between New York and Miami. The Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service, operated by Amtrak, also uses a portion of this corridor between Washington and Richmond. Beyond the passenger rail uses, CSX Transportation Company (CSX) - the owner of this track -- operates a significant amount of freight traffic linking southern and northern markets. The report attempts to lay out a framework for development of this corridor over the next 15 years. Since its initial construction prior to and after the Civil War, this corridor has been a major connecting line for all north/south rail service -- both passenger and freight.
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