WASHINGTON — Construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River will be the largest beneficiary of a $729 million grant for Virginia rail projects announced today by members of the state’s congressional delegation, the latest in a series of major awards nationally under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passsenger Rail grant program.
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) said the funding would also be used to improve Washington, D.C.’s L’Enfant Plaza station, used by Virginia Railway Express, DC Metrorail, and multiple bus transit systems, and to add a third main line in three segments totaling 9 miles in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. The two senators took part in an event today in Arlington, Va., to mark the funding award, along with Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin, a Republican, and U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Gerry Connolly, Abigail Spanberger, and Jennifer McClelland (all D-Va.).
“This is another example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure law is improving transportation networks, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth in communities across Virginia and the country,” the two senators said in a press release. Youngkin said the project’s “impact on the Commonwealth cannot be overstated — it will eas congestion, make our supply chain more resilient, improve freight movement in and out of our world-class port, and boost local economies.”
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has estimated the Long Bridge project — which will add a new two-track bridge next to the existing two-track span, creating separate pairs of track for freight and passenger traffic — will cost almost $2.3 billion. The announcement addresses a crucial funding shortfall for the project [see “Virginia seeks additional funding …,” Trains News Wire, April 10, 2023], and comes a day after the VPRA announced it had selected Skanska/Flatiron Joint Venture as the construction team for the project. Early prep work is expected to begin next year with full construction beginning early in 2025, with 2030 as the target date for completion.
The work at the L’Enfant Plaza station will include construction of a mile of a fourth main line through and around the station, as well as improvements to the existing station platform.
2.3 Billion for a bridge. Let that sink in for a minute.
How much of it will actually go in to construction vs endless studies and consultants. We need infrastructure improvements for sure, but this tidal wave of money is just a cash grab free for all.
Have all the EPA, Historic Preservation, and Endangered Species (Save the Snakeheads!) approvals been granted and are not subject to “public interest” appeal/protest? Or, is this immune from such because it’s a “government approved” project?