Va. applies for $74 million for high-speed rail

Transportation officials are hoping to get $74.8 million for a high-speed rail line between Powell’s Creek and Stafford County.

Virginia submitted its application for the federal stimulus funds Monday, which would come from a larger pot of $8 billion approved for high-speed rail improvements.

If approved, the money will go to the construction of a third rail between Arkendale in Stafford County to Powell’s Creek near Dumfries. The third track is expected to pave the way for Amtrak trains capable of traveling at speeds of 90 mph or more, and would allow for the implementation of express trains on Virginia Railway Express’ Fredericksburg line.

Those express trains would originate in Fredericksburg and would stop at only one or two stations along the line before reaching Washington, said VRE spokesman Mark Roeber earlier this month. VRE would manage construction of the 11-mile stretch of track.

“Those trains would take as much as one lane’s worth of traffic off the highway in one fell swoop, and anyone who boarded the express service would be guaranteed to beat any car on the road and get to work faster,” said Roeber.

When completed, the third rail would complement the two tracks that already exist in the area, but would stop on the south side of the Powell’s Creek bridge, said Roeber. Trains would use the existing tracks across the bridge and a bottleneck would not be created, he added.

The stimulus money for the third rail could be awarded as early as October. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is hopeful that the Federal Railroad Administration, which will grant the money, will recognize the importance of the project.

“Virginia has submitted a strong project application and we are ready to begin construction as soon the federal funding is awarded. This project represents our ongoing commitment to delivering transportation choices, creating jobs, and sustaining our environment even when funding is limited,” said Kaine in a press release.

The project is considered “shovel ready,” meaning construction can begin as soon as funds are delivered.

In addition to VRE, the state has worked closely with CSX and Amtrak to get the project started. Earlier this year, Kaine announced the state will begin funding inter-city passenger rail service.

The trains would leave Richmond and Lynchburg bound for Washington’s Union Station on weekday mornings, and would connect riders with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, from Washington to New York. The trains would then return in the evenings carrying passengers back to Virginia.

The trains will be operated by Amtrak and are part of a three-year pilot project that will cease if a sustainable source of funding is not found for them. The Lynchburg train will begin service in October, while the Richmond train will begin service in December.

Virginia plans to seek a cumulative $1.6 billion in federal funds for high-speed rail improvements along the rail corridor, from Washington to Petersburg. Those funds are said to include Monday’s request for $74.8 million.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.