Virginia Secures $17 Million to Upgrade Rail Service and Improve Transportation Infrastructure

Virginia has received $17 million in federal funding to improve transportation in Staunton and Chesterfield County, and to invest in new Amtrak trains serving routes across the commonwealth.

U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner said the funding comes from the Department of Transportation’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law has supported several transportation and environmental projects in Virginia, including the expansion of the Long Bridge Project, since 2021.

“Reliable passenger rail plays a critical role in connecting Virginians to their jobs, families, and communities, while also giving travelers more options to get where they need to go,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“This funding will help modernize the Amtrak services that folks rely on, improve accessibility in Staunton, and lay the groundwork for safer rail crossings in Chesterfield County,” they added.

As part of the program’s efforts to improve passenger rail, the new trains will replace aging equipment and expand Amtrak’s fleet. This will allow additional state-supported service and aid numerous services operating in Virginia, including the Carolinian and routes connecting Washington, D.C., with Newport News, Norfolk and Roanoke.

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, which manages Amtrak Virginia’s passenger rail service, will receive $15 million to make the Staunton Station safer and more accessible. The upgrades will support the platform, canopy, and accessibility upgrades, including handrails and curb ramps.

Chesterfield County was awarded a $2 million grant to improve two railroad crossings on Curtis Street and West Street. The goal is to separate the roads from the railroad tracks with an overpass or underpass so vehicles and trains do not have to cross paths.

The current authorization of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, barring subsequent congressional action.

IIJA is the current law, but lawmakers are seeking to pass the BUILD America 250 Act, a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that would succeed IIJA by investing in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.

By Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

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