Virginia has been working to develop intercity passenger rail service since the 1990s. It is well positioned for high speed rail development between the Northeast Corridor and proposed Southeast Corridor. Virginia's rail efforts in the last four years have accelerated passenger rail, and federal focus on rail through the Recovery Act provides funding. Virginia's application will prioritize projects including adding tracks from Washington D.C. to Richmond, station improvements, and upgrading lines to support higher speeds. Next steps include completing the application and obtaining support letters.

1. Virginia’s ARRA Intercity and
High Speed Rail Program and
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Application
Barbara W. Reese
Deputy Director of Policy
Office f G
Offi of Governor Timothy M. Kaine
Ti th M K i
Fall 2009

2. Intercity Rail/High Speed Rail
Development is Not New to Virginia
Since the 1990s, work has been underway to develop and
enhance intercity passenger rail service
In 2002, a Task Force, which includes VRE, was formed to
advance its development
At the same time, improvements to commuter rail were
also being made and VRE service was clearly
demonstrating citizen interest in highway alternatives
For hi h
F high speed rail, Vi i i geographically i i a unique
d il Virginia hi ll is in i
position because it is the link between the existing
Northeast Corridor intercity rail service and the developing
Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor
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3. High Speed Rail Today: Northeast Corridor
Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor
3

4. Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor
Naval Naval
Base Base
NIT
North
NIT
South
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5. Virginia’s Rail Efforts
In the last four years, Virginia has taken a number of
steps that have accelerated passenger and intercity rail
services, including
– Creation of the dedicated Rail Enhancement Fund
– Establishment of clear public policy goals for funding projects
– Establishment of return on investment/public benefit models
E t bli h t f t i t t/ bli b fit d l
– Fostering relationships with all rail partners – VRE, CSX, NS,
Amtrak -- to address problems and deliver projects using the
best
b t service d li
i delivery modeld l
– Adoption of the Statewide Rail Plan and Resource Allocation
Plan in 2008 that establishes priorities
Passenger and Intercity Rail project priorities were
established in these Plans
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6. Commuter & Intercity Passenger Rail Projects
Naval
Base
$1.5 Billion Richmond/Petersburg to DC High Speed Rail (90 mph)
$
$300 - $800 Million Richmond to Hampton Roads High Speed Rail
$303 Million Commuter Rail Improvements
$170 Million I 81/Rt 29 Corridor Passenger Rail
I-81/Rt
$797 Million Southeast High Speed Rail Petersburg to N.C. Line
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7. Federal Focus on Passenger/Intercity Rail
Has Accelerated
The federal adoption in October 2008 of the Rail Safety
Improvement Act (including the Passenger Rail
Investment and Improvement Act) was the first step
I t t dI t A t) th fi t t
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $8 Act s
billion is the first federal investment in making a
nationwide high speed rail network viable – only those
corridors f d ll approved can apply
id federally d l
Because of the Commonwealth and its partners’ work in
partners
the last decade, we have a strong competitive
foundation
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8. Vision for High Speed Rail in the US
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9. Federal Railroad Administration’s ARRA
Intercity and High Speed Rail
Application Process
June 2009 - Interim Guidance Released
July 2009 – Pre-Applications Submitted
August 24, 2009 – T k 1a submission – R d t G
A t 24 Track 1 b i i Ready to Go
Projects
– Arkendale to Powell’s Creek meets federal definition
– 11.4 miles of third track – almost all in Prince William County
October 2, 2009 – Track 2 submission – High Speed
Rail Corridor Program of Projects
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10. Priority High Speed Rail Projects
Washington, D.C. to Petersburg Corridor
Washington, D.C. to Alexandria (AF)
4thMain line section through Alexandria – 6 miles
Alexandria Station ADA Improvements
2nd Platforms at VRE Crystal City Station
Alexandria (AF) to Fredericksburg (FB)
3rd
Main line sections Dalghren to Franconia – 38 miles
2nd
Platforms/extensions at VRE Lorton, Rippon, Brook, Leeland,
Woodbridge, and Franconia
Fredericksburg (FB) to Richmond (GN)
3rd Main line sections Fredericksburg to Richmond – 32 miles
4th Main line section Fredericksburg to Mine Road – 5 miles
Richmond (GN) to Main Street Sta. Area
Acca Yard improvements in 2 Phases – 6 miles
South Acca to Main Street Sta/Area/Fulton/Platforms – 13 miles
Main Street Station to Petersburg/Collier
Main Street to Centralia Track and Signal @ 79MPH – 11 miles
Washington, D C
Washington D.C. to Richmond Corridor Long
Track curve geometry, crossover, and signal system upgrade
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11. Next Steps
Complete Track 2 Application
Requesting Resolutions and Letters of Support from
Program Partners, Regional and Local Governments,
Business Community
Also, begin operation of additional Amtrak service to
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Lynchburg on October 1, 2009
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12. Virginia’s ARRA Intercity and
High Speed Rail Program and
g p g
Application
Barbara W. Reese
barbara.reese@governor.virginia.gov
(804) 225 4803
225-4803