Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region Moving people and goods in the most efficient, cost effective and environmentally beneficial manner is a primary goal of the transportation system and the benefits are not mutually exclusive. The regional planning process can support policies that advocate investments in the rail system and to a lesser degree, also allocate financial resources which can also support these policies. While the regional financial resources are not sufficient to support improvements for the entire corridor, the region is capable of supporting spotimprovements with independent utility such as extension of sidings, crossovers, signal upgrades or grade-separation of crossings which can improve the performance of the rail system to the benefit of both passenger and freight movements. In Virginia, the passenger rail operates on privately held systems owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern. This chapter will summarize the National Rail Policy, Virginia’s Statewide Rail Policy, the role of the CSX and Norfolk Southern in goods movement and investment needed to realize the economic and transport opportunities associated with higher speed rail connecting cities along the eastern seaboard. National Rail Plan In 2008, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) was signed in to law. It directed the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to, “Develop a long-range national rail plan… to promote an integrated, cohesive, efficient, and optimized national rail system for the movement of goods and people”. The need for a plan of this nature is critical. The U.S. population is expected to grow by 70 million people over the next 25 years, with the majority of this growth anticipated in already congested metropolitan regions. Furthermore, this population growth will lead to a corresponding increase in the movement of goods. The FRA forecasts that in order to serve a growing nation, the rail network will need to carry 2.8 billion additional tons of freight. A national rail plan is necessary to ensure a coordinated and intelligent system that provides safe, reliable, and efficient passenger and freight rail service for a Nation that will place increasing demands on the network. One key to such a system is higher-performing passenger rail, including the full spectrum of high-speed rail (HSR). High-speed rail systems can relieve congestion, promote livable communities, facilitate economic expansion, respect environmental sustainability, and provide transportation choices for the American public. Over the next several decades, HSR will become increasingly important to the Richmond region as forecast growth more closely links us with the densely populated Northeast. It is Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-1 expected that large urbanized areas such as those in the Northeast will converge into larger networks of metropolitan areas that are coming to be classified as mega-regions. While these mega-regions will stress the transportation network, they can also provide economic opportunity if appropriate planning and infrastructure is in place. FRA’s vision for this HSR infrastructure consists of tiered corridors with varied levels of service. These tiers include Core Express Corridors, Regional Corridors, and Emerging/Feeder Routes. Core Express Corridors: These routes would connect large urban areas up to 500 miles apart with 2-3 hour travel times and train speeds between 125 and 250 mph. Service will be frequent and will operate on electrified, dedicated track that is publicly owned. Based on their operation in and between large, dense metropolitan regions, the Core Express corridors will form the “backbone” of the national passenger rail system. Regional Corridors: This network would connect mid-sized urban areas, and smaller communities in between, with convenient, frequent 90-125 mph service on a mix of dedicated and shared track. In some areas, these corridors could connect to Core Express corridors, with many potential passenger services operating over both the Core Express and Regional routes. Emerging/Feeder Routes: Emerging routes would connect regional urban areas at speeds up to 90 mph on shared track. In some areas, the Emerging/Feeder routes could connect to the Core Express or Regional corridors, allowing residents of these smaller or more distant areas to have efficient access to the national system. The U.S. Department of Transportation is in the process of developing criteria to identify regions of the country where Core Express, Regional, and Emerging/Feeder corridors could be feasible. These criteria will include variables such as estimated trip times, highway and airport congestion, ridership estimates, distance, and other key cost and benefit measures. Already, however, the Richmond region has been included in the federally designated Southeast High-Speed Rail (SEHSR) Corridor. The SEHSR Corridor consists of a number of rail segments located in South Atlantic states with through service to and from the Northeast Corridor. The majority of HSR development thus far has been focused on the portion of the Corridor from Washington, D.C. to Charlotte, N.C. The SEHSR Corridor will include operations at top speeds of 110 mph, meaning that it will likely be defined as a Regional Corridor in the NRP. Recently, Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS), critical components to project development, were issued for the Richmond to Hampton Roads and Richmond to Raleigh sections of the corridor. While advancement of sections of the Nation’s HSR network is occurring, a long-range national rail plan is not yet in place. To date, several important steps in the development of the NRP have been reached. The most significant of which was the delivery to Congress in 10-2 Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 2009 of a Preliminary Plan (PNRP) as called for by PRIIA. The Preliminary Plan represents a springboard for development of the long-range NRP. It sets forth the FRA’s proposed approach to developing the long-range NRP, including goals and objectives for the greater inclusion of rail in the national transportation system. Since the delivery of the Preliminary Plan, the FRA has begun official work on the NRP. The process commenced with FRA led public outreach events and meetings with expert stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues, and develop strategies to leverage strengths of the current system. The next steps include identifying regions of the country where Core Express, Regional, and Emerging/Feeder corridors could be feasible; estimating investments to develop the passenger rail network and improve freight rail intermodal corridors; and evaluating the return on investment, including public benefits, from system investments. Finally, there will be a comprehensive strategy to implement the Plan with legislative, policy, and administrative recommendations. An NRP progress report was submitted to Congress by the FRA in the fall of 2010. Since that time, no formal action has been taken on the Plan. Statewide Rail Plan The federal legislation mandating the development of a National Rail Plan also requires that the FRA take into consideration state rail plans during formulation of the NRP. This requirement gives state rail authorities the opportunity to influence the strategies and priorities important to their region as well as the broader system. Virginia’s most recent rail plan was completed in 2008 by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the State agency responsible for rail and transit policy. At the broadest level, the Statewide Rail Plan provides the vision and strategies to address rail needs in the Commonwealth. The plan also outlines the current condition of Virginia’s rail system, challenges facing the system, and identifies projects necessary for improvement of the network. 14 railroads operate freight and passenger service over 3,200 miles of track in Virginia. The State’s two passenger railroads, Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE), provide intercity and commuter service. Freight rail is primarily operated by Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern. Ten short-line railroads provide critical first and last links in the freight network. In the near future, higher-speed rail will also operate in Virginia. SEHSR projects are in progress to upgrade the system to accommodate high-speed trains along the I-95 corridor and from Richmond to Hampton Roads. Triple Crossing at 14th and Dock St., Courtesy of VDOT Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-3 In the recent past, DRPT has achieved several major accomplishments. 2005 saw the creation of the Rail Enhancement Fund (REF), Virginia’s first dedicated source of funding for passenger and freight rail improvements. The REF supports projects such as expediting freight movement through the Port of Hampton Roads, improving infrastructure to accommodate double-stacked trains, and eliminating inefficient at-grade crossings. DRPT also strengthened the short-line industry through improvements to the Buckingham Branch railroad and to the Commonwealth Railway, which provides access to the new APM Marine Terminal and the future Craney Island Marine Terminal. Construction was also completed on a new bridge over Quantico Creek, relieving rail congestion by removing the last singletrack section on the Washington, D.C. to Richmond corridor. Through fiscal year 2012, $114,606,265 in Rail Enhancement Funds were allocated to infrastructure projects on the Norfolk Southern line between Norfolk and Petersburg, with a small percentage of this total dedicated towards improvements on the CSX system in the Petersburg area. These improvements will enable direct passenger rail service from Norfolk to the Staples Mill Station in the Richmond region beginning in December 2012. Looking forward, DRPT has identified a variety of potential rail investment projects important to Virginia. Future projects are designed to meet one or more of the following needs: alleviating highway congestion and reducing energy demand and pollutants by taking passenger car and truck freight traffic off the roads; increasing freight capacity to meet the growing demand for freight rail shipping; and improving passenger rail by enhancing system performance and adding capacity. These projects are separated into four categories. They include Class I and short-line railroads, the Port of Hampton Roads, passenger rail initiatives, and high-speed rail initiatives. The Class I and short-line projects represent $1.8 billion in potential investment. $1.7 billion is planned for investment in passenger rail, and $1.2 billion for high-speed rail. $178 million is slated for projects benefiting the Port of Hampton Roads. The table below provides initial descriptions for projects in each category. 10-4 Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region Figure 10-1: Potential System Investments Project Corridor Class I and Shortline Railroad Projects Description CSX National Gateway Corridor Norfolk Southern Crescent Corridor I-95, I-295, I-495 I-81 Norfolk Southern Heartland Corridor Route 460 Norfolk Southern Coal Corridor Shortline Railroad Preservation Route 460 Double-stack clearances; rail yard construction; Virginia Avenue Tunnel clearance. 39 projects to expand single main-line tracks to double tracks; add passing sidings; realign curves; improve connections; and add track signals and signal systems. Access improvements for Roanoke Regional Intermodal Facility; development of parallel double-stack route; additional tunnel clearances and track capacity. Capacity improvements through additional track. Statewide Improve all railroads to meet Federal freight and passenger standards. Norfolk International Terminals Central Rail Yard Expansion Craney Island Rail Connection Route 460 Norfolk/Portsmouth Beltline Railroad Route 460 Rail intermodal yard expansion; construction of additional track, ties, ballast, switches, pavement in rail yard and container handling areas. Construction of siding track in the median of Route 164; planning and design connection between APM Terminal and Craney Island on-dock intermodal yard. Improvements to train operation and grade crossing at the NIT main gate; improvements to existing rail yard. Port of Hampton Roads Route 460 Passenger Rail Initiatives Commuter Rail Improvements Commuter Rail Improvements Commuter Rail Improvements Urban Crescent Express I-66 Upgrades to track between Alexandria and Manassas. I-66 TransDominion Express I-81, Routes 29 and 460 Infrastructure and capacity improvements for expansion of VRE on NS track between Manassas and Gainesville. Construction of third track for VRE operation on CSX tracks between Fredericksburg and Washington, DC. Rail infrastructure, capacity, and system improvements for additional Amtrak service between Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Newport News. Rail infrastructure, capacity, and system improvements for more frequent Amtrak service to Lynchburg and Charlottesville and expanded service to Roanoke, Bristol, and Richmond. I-95, I-395, I-495 I-95, I-64, I-295, Route 460 High-Speed Rail Initiatives Southeast High-Speed Rail I-95, I-295, I495, I-85, I-64, Route 460 Infrastructure improvements for high-speed rail between Richmond and North Carolina line, and between Richmond and Hampton Roads. Source: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Virginia’s Class I Railroads Two of the Nation’s Class I railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, operate in Virginia. These railroads own the majority of freight rail track infrastructure in the State. Norfolk Southern Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-5 operates roughly 60% of Virginia’s freight rail track, while CSX operates about 30%. Both CSX and Norfolk Southern have been working on system-wide corridor investments to improve the intermodal connectivity to U.S. mid-west markets. Both railroads provide major east-west and north-south connections. Typically, tonnage that is Virginia-based (moving inbound, outbound, or within the State) moves east-west and is focused on the Port of Virginia. By tonnage, coal accounts for over two thirds of Virginiabased rail traffic. Rail tonnage that has both an origin and destination outside Virginia (passthrough traffic) primarily moves north-south. Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern operates approximately 20,000 route-miles in 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and serves every major container port in the U.S. This network includes 2,079 miles in Virginia along three corridors; the Crescent Corridor, the Heartland Corridor, and the Coal Corridor. The Crescent Corridor consists of two north-south lines. The Piedmont line runs from Alexandria to Danville, and the Shenandoah line runs from Front Royal to Bristol serving the Virginia Inland Port. Principal train types on these lines are intermodal, general merchandise, and auto. The Heartland Corridor runs through the southern portion of the State from the Hampton Roads to West Virginia. The Heartland Corridor is Norfolk Southern’s primary intermodal train system connecting the Port of Virginia to Midwest markets. The Coal Corridor is the line with the heaviest use, carrying unit trains from the Appalachian coalfields to the Norfolk Southern Coal Marine Terminal at Lambert’s Point, Norfolk. CSX CSX operates a 21,000 route-mile network serving 23 states, Washington, DC, the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and 70 ports. The Virginia portion of this network is 1,054 miles. CSX trains in the Commonwealth move along the National Gateway and Coal Corridors. The National Gateway Corridor generally follows I-95 with an extension to Hampton Roads. It is CSX’s principal intermodal train system connecting the Port of Virginia to external markets. Like the Norfolk Southern Coal Corridor, the CSX Coal Corridor is the company’s line of heaviest use, transporting coal from Appalachia through Richmond to Peninsula coal marine terminals. Corridor Profiles Network improvements result in significant gains, both public and private. Benefits accrue to: Import and export customers: increased capacity and decreased transit time. 10-6 Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region The Port of Virginia: making the port more attractive to ocean carriers by improving intermodal connectivity to the U.S. Midwest markets. The public: Removing trucks from highways improves safety, lowers maintenance costs, alleviates congestion, and reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Most importantly, network improvements cannot be considered in either geographic or proprietary isolation. A network, by its nature, spreads the benefits of improvement throughout the system to many users. Therefore, enhancements can be leveraged into proportionally outsized gains. For the same reason, investment must be considered with great care and foresight. When opportunities exist, the region must be deliberative, but also ready to act. The Heartland Corridor The Heartland Corridor is a public-private partnership between Norfolk Southern and Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and the federal government to create the shortest, fastest route for double-stacked container trains moving between the Port of Virginia and the Midwest. The new routing improves transit time between Norfolk and Chicago from four days to three, and is nearly 250 miles shorter than previous routings. The 2010 opening of the corridor to double-stacked intermodal traffic was the result of one of the most extensive railroad engineering projects of the last century. It is also a model of the type of public-private partnerships that can strengthen Virginia’s and the Nation’s transportation infrastructure. National Gateway The National Gateway is an innovative public-private partnership that will create a doublestack freight rail corridor between Mid Atlantic sea ports and the Midwest. The improvement projects are designed to increase the vertical clearances at 61 locations on CSX rail lines in the region to accommodate intermodal trains carrying double-stack intermodal containers. CSX is targeting a 2015 completion date for the project to coincide with the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is expected to bring more traffic through East Coast ports. Regional Impacts of the Heartland and National Gateway Corridors While the Heartland and National Gateway Corridors are major undertakings, opportunities for system improvements that enhance regional competitiveness are abundant. This region’s rail network is the legacy of four separate railroads whose confluence was Richmond. The result of this fragmentary infrastructure today is a network that is heavily congested due to traffic volume, a mix of train types, and many conflicting routes. Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-7 Improvements to facilities such as CSX’s Fulton rail yard and “S” line could bring benefits to Richmond like those that the Heartland Corridor and National Gateway will generate for the Port of Virginia and Hampton Roads. Improved rail access could have a positive impact on the Port of Richmond and its growing barge service. It would also help ensure that the SEHSR corridor includes Main Street Station, bringing associated economic development opportunities to downtown Richmond. Passenger Rail The Richmond region is located at the juncture of two of the nation’s most important rail corridors. It is located at the southern end of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) which runs from Boston to Newport News and Lynchburg via New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Richmond. Within Virginia, the NEC service comprises over 350 miles, and includes stops at Alexandria, Franconia/Springfield, Woodbridge, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Richmond (Staples Mill Road/Greendale Station and Main Street Station), Williamsburg and Newport News, Charlottesville and Lynchburg. A total of 34 southbound and 34 northbound trains serve Richmond each week along this corridor. Investment in passenger rail benefits the surface transportation system by providing more reliable passenger service, increased highway capacity for goods movement, reduced fuel consumption per passenger mile, and a reduction in highway system impacts. Richmond area residents are served by two primary north-south routes operated by Amtrak: New York-Washington-Raleigh-Jacksonville (Silver Meteor/Silver Star/Palmetto service) – This Amtrak route includes 175 miles in Virginia, with stops at Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg. Three southbound and three northbound trains operate each day along this route, resulting in 21 weekly northbound and 21 weekly southbound trips. New York-Washington-Raleigh-Charlotte (Carolinian service) – The Carolinian service traverses 175 miles in Virginia, with stops in Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg. One train trip is made daily in the northbound and southbound directions. The Richmond region is also located at the northern end of the Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) Corridor; one of the five original national corridors designated under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) which authorized a program of high-speed rail corridors nationwide. The SEHSR corridor was first designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1992, and ran from Washington D.C. to Charlotte, N.C. via Richmond and Raleigh, N.C. Its original designation was extended to include South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The SEHSR corridor has also been extended to 10-8 Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region include a link between Richmond and Hampton Roads. Under the new National Rail Policy, the inter-city high speed rail would now be considered as a “Regional Corridor” rail service. Within Virginia, the SEHSR program proposes improvements in two phases – Washington, D.C. to Richmond (Main Street Station) and Richmond (Main Street Station) to Raleigh, North Carolina. With the return of passenger rail service to Main Street Station in 2003, continued investments in the rail system will be required in order to fully realize the potential of center-city to center-city rail service envisioned in the National Rail Policy. In 1996, the SEHSR corridor was extended to include the corridor from Richmond to Hampton Roads, while continuing to focus on the Richmond to Raleigh corridor. The selected alternative for Hampton Roads provides train service south from Richmond to Petersburg, then connecting to the NS line that parallels U.S. Route 460 and terminating in Norfolk. Recognizing the need for investing in the corridor, DRPT has been working with CSX and FRA to identifying investments that are needed in support of Regional Corridor service between the center-cities of Washington, D.C. and Richmond. The business community and local governments within the region are united in their support of this effort as demonstrated by a resolution and presentation of support which was provided to Governor Kaine in July 2009. The summary details of the projects and projected costs are detailed in the attached map and tables. Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-9 Map 10-1: I-95 Passenger Rail Corridor, Richmond Area 10-10 Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region Figure 10-2: Richmond Area/Acca Yard Improvements Phase I (note: cost estimates are base year 2009 and prepared by DRPT for a2009 American Reinvestment and Revitalization Act application) I <15% PE Design Build Richmond Area/Acca Yard Improvements Phase I - Relocation of all Northeast Corridor System Originating and Terminating at Staples Mill Station to Main Street Station - 13 Miles Project Result -Enhances train service to Main Street station by the relocation of all regional trains originating and terminating at Staples Mill Station to Main Street Station and improves the efficiency of train movements for Newport News regional intercity trains through Acca Yard. Key project in the development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor since the corridor utilizes this route. Assists in the separation of passenger and freight trains in Richmond area this alleviating congestion. I-1 I-2 I-3 I-4 I-5 I-6 I-7 Multiple Sub-Project Summary $ 243.10 PE $ 5.23 Fi na l Des i gn $ 18.23 Cons tructi on Temporary Rail Connection Improvements South Acca Yard to West Side Acca Current Passenger Main for Passenger Train Access to Staples Mill Station Until New Parham Station is Built under Richmond Area/Acca Yard Improvements Phase II $ 219.64 $ 6.00 PE $ 0.15 Fi na l Des i gn $ 0.45 $ 5.40 $ 34.10 Cons tructi on Amtrak Junction Hospital Street to South Acca Yard Track and Signal Construction ($2.0M FRA Grant funding PE in Under Agreement) - 3 Miles SRN 1 - SRN 4 PE - Fi na l Des i gn $ 2.60 $ 31.50 Cons tructi on Main Street Station/Brown Street Yard Improvements - New Brown Street Passenger Train Yard, Interlocking, and Main Street Station Tracks $ 42.80 PE $ 1.07 Fi na l Des i gn $ 3.21 Cons tructi on $ 38.52 Brown Street Yard Turning Facility for Passenger Trains - Construction of Wye $ 9.80 PE $ 0.25 Fi na l Des i gn $ 0.74 $ 8.82 $ 20.00 PE $ 0.50 Fi na l Des i gn $ 1.50 Cons tructi on $ 18.00 $ 95.00 PE $ 2.38 Fi na l Des i gn $ 7.13 Cons tructi on $ 85.50 $ 35.40 PE $ 0.89 Fi na l Des i gn $ 2.66 Cons tructi on $ 31.86 Cons tructi on Ruffin Siding Construction Relocates Crew Change Point Away from Current Main Line at Main Street Station East and West Side - 2 Miles BBRR MP 87 to MP 90 Rivanna Junction to Beulah Wye - 8 Miles CA 84.5 - CA 76.2 Main Street Station Platforms East and West Side - Amtrak services area inside station Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region 10-11 Figure 10-3: Richmond Area/Acca Yard Improvements Phase II (note: cost estimates are base year 2009 and prepared by DRPT for a2009 American Reinvestment and Revitalization Act application) <15% PE Design Build or Heavy Richmond Area/Acca Yard Improvements Phase II - Track Upgrades Richmond to Centralia/Petersburg Maint. to Relocate North/South Amtrak Trains to Main Street Station - 15 Miles II Project Result - Relocates all intercity passenger trains from Staples Mill Station to new Parham Road Station through east side Acca Bypass. Also provides Relocation of all north/south intercity passenger trains to serve Main Street Station upon completion of the Main Street to Centralia track improvement project. Without these projects, intercity trains could not gain access from the south to serve Main Street Station including potential trains to/from Norfolk. Separates freight and passenger train movements through Acca yard. Key project in the development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor since the corridor utilizes this route to serve Main Street Station. Assists in the separation of passenger and freight trains in Richmond area thus alleviating congestion. S 0 to S 11 and CFP1 to CFP5 II-1 II-2 II-3 II-4 II-5 II-6 II-7 II-8 10-12 Multiple Sub-Project Summary $ 348.50 PE $ 8.71 Fi na l Des i gn $ 26.14 Cons tructi on $ 313.65 Track Upgrade and Construction - Main Street Sta-Centralia 11 Miles $ 92.20 PE $ 2.31 Fi na l Des i gn $ 6.92 Cons tructi on $ 82.98 $ 30.00 PE $ 0.75 Fi na l Des i gn $ 2.25 Cons tructi on $ 27.00 Signal System Upgrade and Construction - Main Street Station to Centralia Facility Relocations Greendale - South Acca Yard $ 33.00 PE $ 0.83 Fi na l Des i gn $ 2.48 Cons tructi on $ 29.70 Bypass Tracks Construction Greendale - South Acca Yard $ 50.00 PE $ 1.25 Fi na l Des i gn $ 3.75 Cons tructi on $ 45.00 $ 49.00 PE $ 1.23 Fi na l Des i gn $ 3.68 Cons tructi on $ 44.10 Construction of Tracks 1 and 4 - Greendale to Parham Construction of New Parham Road Station Facility $ 32.30 PE $ 0.81 Fi na l Des i gn $ 2.42 $ 29.07 Cons tructi on Grade Separations Greendale - Hungary Rd as Reported by FRA as Required for Four Tracks at Road Crossings $ 60.00 PE $ 1.50 Fi na l Des i gn $ 4.50 Cons tructi on $ 54.00 $ 2.00 PE $ 0.05 Fi na l Des i gn $ 0.15 Cons tructi on $ 1.80 Greendale Storage Track Chapter 10 - Rail in the Richmond Region
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz