FREDERICKSBURG — When it comes to easing traffic congestion around Fredericksburg, city officials are looking to high-speed rail as a possible solution.
A state high-speed rail study currently underway is looking at three possible locations for the rails in and around the Fredericksburg area. One alternative would result in a new two-track freight bypass going to the east of Fredericksburg; while another one alternative would add a third track through Fredericksburg on the east side of the existing tracks. A third would be to not add any tracks through Fredericksburg but would include various improvements to crossings, signals, and safety systems.
According to Fredericksburg City Transportation Administrator Erik Nelson, many of tracks necessary for the line have already been laid. There will also be a new bridge going across the Rappahannock River that will be built alongside the existing bridge and will be used for the upgraded line.
A new train station will also be built as part of the project. The current station used by Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express commuter rail trains, that runs parallel with Lafayette Street would be moved closer to the Rappahannock River.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Transportation is currently performing a Tier 2 Environmental Impact study to upgrade a 123-mile line of railroad track that runs from Washington D.C. to Richmond and would include the VRE commuter train line that runs through Fredericksburg.
This study is an arm of the Southeast High-Speed Rail (SEHSR) Project which is part of a larger nationwide higher speed intercity passenger rail plan identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as the states of Virginia and North Carolina.
According to its website, the Washington, D.C. to Richmond line or DC2RVA project is funded by three sources. In addition to the $8.1 million put up by the Virginia Department of Rail and Transportation, they have received a grant of $44.3 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $3 million from CSX for a grand total of $55.4 million of monies dedicated to the project.
While many portions of the project are either completed or are in the works there is no specific date for implementation of the project.
A discussion about the rail improvements was had during at James Madison High School, where the Fredericksburg City Council unveiled its 2036 Vision Statement for the city. The statement is a collection of 36 priorities that the city council wants to pursue over the next several years.
