February 2024

All Aboard: New Bridges Across the Potomac River

Exciting changes to better move people and goods across the Potomac River are on their way: The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Long Bridge Project is adding a new two-track passenger railroad bridge next to the existing Long Bridge, with site prep starting in early 2024. The current Long Bridge will remain and will be used by our freight partner, CSX. By increasing rail capacity, the new bridge will remove a bottleneck that congests passenger and freight rail traffic locally as well as throughout the East Coast.

The project is also building a new dedicated bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the river – the first of its kind in the region. This separate bridge will connect Arlington’s Long Bridge Park and the Mount Vernon Trail to the District of Columbia’s East Potomac Park.

The project includes a variety of additional elements to update and enhance the 1.8-mile project corridor, including an upgraded replacement of the pedestrian bridge over Maine Avenue.

VPRA Awarded $729 Million Federal Grant

December 7, 2023 - The Federal Railroad Administration awarded VPRA a Federal-State Partnership grant to advance VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative, including the Long Bridge Project.

Contractor Selection Process Advances for Southern Segment

VPRA continues to advance the procurement of a contractor to design and build the Long Bridge Project’s southern segment. Connecting Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC, the approximately one-mile South Package consists of a new Long Bridge and an adjacent bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Potomac River.

In February 2024, VPRA released a Request for Proposals to design-build teams that were shortlisted earlier in the procurement process. Following evaluation of submitted proposals, VPRA anticipates selecting the South Package contractor in late summer, with design work beginning in late fall. As with the North Package, completion of the South Package is planned for 2030.

Test Pile Program Findings Guide Design and Construction

In the fall of 2023, VPRA drove three 120-foot steel piles in East Potomac Park to evaluate soil conditions and analyze noise, vibration, and settlement characteristics. The information gleaned from the test pile program is being used to guide the Long Bridge Project’s design and construction plans.

Prior to starting this occasionally noisy work, VPRA distributed flyers and conducted outreach to businesses, residents, and others within approximately a half-mile of the work. Noise levels were monitored to ensure compliance with the DC noise ordinance.

Amtrak Virginia Continues to Set Records

Amtrak Virginia, the state-supported passenger rail service, continues to set ridership records. In calendar year 2023, more than 1.32 million passengers traveled -- an increase of nearly 30% over calendar year 2022 ridership and the highest ridership recorded since state-supported service began in 2009.

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Transforming Rail in Virginia

VPRA's Transforming Rail in Virginia is changing the future of rail transportation in Virginia by acquiring railroad right-of-way, increasing rail capacity, and reworking passenger and freight operations to improve reliability and increase rail service in Virginia. TRV will provide additional choices in moving people and goods efficiently while accommodating growing travel demand, particularly in the often-congested I-95 corridor.

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Next Stop: Information for 2024

Mark these resources for information and updates about the Long Bridge Project. Stay tuned for information about a public information meeting and other outreach to be held in 2024.

Long Bridge Project Resources:

Visit www.longbridgeproject.com for routine project updates

Questions? Review our FAQs

Download our project fact sheet

Email: contactus@vpra.virginia.gov

Call: (804) 303-8700

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