December also tops in monthly ridership 

RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) state-supported Amtrak Virginia service set a record for ridership during calendar year 2024 with 1,389,840 passengers traveling.  That is the highest ridership mark since the Commonwealth launched state-supported service in 2009.  The 2024 figure beat the previous record set during calendar year 2023 by +4.8%.  It also topped the pre-pandemic record of 953,008 set in 2019 by 45%.  All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw increases in 2024.  

Calendar Year 2024 vs Calendar Year 2023 Comparison 

 December also set a record for the highest monthly ridership with more than 136,000 passengers traveling.  The total, 136,433, was the highest monthly ridership recorded since the state launched its Amtrak Virginia service, beating the previous record of 130,998 set in August of 2023 by +4.1%.  The total is also a record for the month of December and an increase of nearly +24% compared to December of 2023. 

December 2024 vs December 2023 Comparison 

For the month of December, all four Amtrak Virginia corridors had double-digit increases year-over-year with Roanoke seeing the largest increase at 30.5%.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving, traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year, fell on December 1 in 2024, contributing to the record month. 

“The holiday season was a busy time for us – our stations were crowded, and our trains were full,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA.  “But our 2024 record ridership represents more than just holiday travel. It is indicative of Virginians using passenger rail as a convenient part of their travel plans.” 

VPRA continues to work diligently to expand passenger rail in the Commonwealth.  Last fall the authority broke ground on Long Bridge, the largest of its Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) projects.  The $2.3 billion infrastructure improvement will connect Arlington, Virginia with Washington, DC via a new two-track railroad bridge, dedicated solely to passenger rail.  The project is scheduled for completion in 2030 and will allow VPRA to increase the number of daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips from the current eight to 13 with service connecting to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.     

Additionally, last fall also saw ribbon cuttings at two stations in the Commonwealth – Newport News and Quantico.  The Newport News Transportation Center is a brand-new facility built to replace an ageing station that the Amtrak Virginia service had outgrown.  The new station offers more parking, upgraded passenger amenities, and connections to Amtrak’s Thruway Bus Service, Hampton Roads Transit, taxi service, and shuttles to and from the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport. 

At Quantico, the station was upgraded to better meet the needs of passengers including adding an overhead pedestrian walkway with elevators for ADA accessibility.  VPRA also added a third track through the area which will allow for an increase in the number of trains operating and improving the on-time performance for all.   

Currently, Amtrak Virginia’s eight daily roundtrips include three between Norfolk and Washington, DC, two between both Roanoke and Washington, and Newport News and Washington, and one between Richmond and the nation’s capital.  The service offers a one-seat ride from Virginia to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston as well as intermediate stops on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. 

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority 

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org. 

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Completes selection process for the Long Bridge Project  

RICHMOND – The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) today announced the selection of the Long Bridge Rail Partners – a joint venture comprised of Trumbull Corp., Fay, S&B Construction, and Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc. – as construction partner for the Long Bridge Project-South Package.  VPRA separated the Long Bridge Project, a new two-track bridge across the Potomac River, into two procurements, a North Package and a South Package. The North Package was awarded to Skanska/Flatiron Joint Venture in December 2023.

“The selection of Long Bridge Rail Partners completes the team that will build the largest of our Transforming Rail in Virginia projects, which will significantly change the way Virginians travel,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA.  “Our efforts to provide Virginians with expanded passenger rail service would not be possible without the continued support of Governor Youngkin and Secretary of Transportation Miller.  We thank them for their support in making our vision a reality.”

“Virginia’s investment in rail will benefit passengers as well as our freight partners up and down the east coast,” said Tiffany Robinson, Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Chair of the VPRA Board.  “Long Bridge is vital to this expansion.  We look forward to working with Long Bridge Rail Partners on this project which will reshape rail service in the Commonwealth.”

“The Long Bridge Rail Partners (Trumbull, Wagman, and Fay, S&B USA Construction) are excited to work with VPRA on such a challenging, transformative project for the Washington metropolitan area,” said Mark Gentile, President of Trumbull Corporation. “Together with designer STV, we offer extensive bridge, marine, and railway experience to design and build the best solution for VPRA and the region.”

Long Bridge – South Package

The Long Bridge Project encompasses a 1.8-mile railroad corridor between Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC.  The South Package will use the Design-Build method to build a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River, a bicycle/pedestrian bridge as well as all associated infrastructure between Arlington and Washington, DC.  In June, VPRA issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to the qualified design-build teams for the south end of the project.

The selection of the Long Bridge Rail Partners moves the project to the next level as all players are now in place. The Long Bridge Rail Partners team will take the project through the final design phase, incorporating innovative alternative technical concepts, through construction with completion expected in 2030.

The Long Bridge-South Package includes construction from the Rosslyn Interlocking in Arlington, Virginia to the northern abutment of the New Long Bridge on the north side of Ohio Drive SW in East Potomac Park in the District.

The South Package includes:

• Potomac River Bridge – A new two track rail crossing over the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Potomac River.
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge – A new 16-foot wide bicycle and pedestrian crossing over the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Potomac River. Dedicated solely to bicycles and pedestrians, this bridge will improve access and provide a safe crossing for those not in cars or on trains.  The bridge will have connections at the Long Bridge Aquatic Center, the Mount Vernon Trail, and Ohio Drive SW.
• Additional Infrastructure – New retaining walls and associated embankments will be built at the George Washington Parkway as well as a new fender system within the Potomac River Navigational Channel.

In October, VPRA joined officials including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as well as U.S. Representatives Gerry Connelly and Abigail Spanberger, for a groundbreaking ceremony for the $2.3 billion infrastructure improvement project.  The new Long Bridge will be strategically placed between the existing Long Bridge and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Yellow Line bridge and will relieve one of the worst rail traffic bottlenecks on the East Coast.

VPRA’s Partners

Expanding passenger rail throughout the Commonwealth would not be possible without a strong partnership with the District of Columbia.  VPRA recognizes the vital role DC plays in finding a workable solution for our area’s traffic challenges.

“Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with The District Department of Transportation are thrilled to hear of the announcement of the selection of the construction partner for the Long Bridge-South Package, marking a significant milestone in advancing this transformative project,” said DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum. “The completion of the Long Bridge will greatly benefit Washingtonians and the entire region by enhancing connectivity, improving transportation options, and fostering economic growth. We are excited to collaborate with our Virginia Passenger Rail Authority partners to bring this vital infrastructure project to fruition.”

VPRA continues to work closely with VRE to improve and expand its Fredericksburg and Manassas Line service.  VRE’s support includes close to $200 million in contributions towards the TRV program.

“The award of the Long Bridge-South package puts VRE one step closer toward its transformation from a commuter rail service to a regional one,” said VRE CEO Rich Dalton. “When this bridge opens in 2030, VRE will be able to expand service on both of its lines to meet the growing needs of travelers in the region. And, due to the separation of freight and passenger trains, we will experience improvements in reliability. VRE is pleased to partner with VPRA on this and other TRV projects.”

Working with CSX to expand service throughout the Commonwealth, VPRA was able to purchase the railroad right-of-way which will make Long Bridge and other TRV projects possible.

“The Long Bridge Project will unlock the bottleneck in this congested corridor and provide enhanced service for CSX customers, as well as VRE and Amtrak passengers,” said Randy Marcus, Director of State Relations for Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C. at CSX. “CSX’s collaboration with the Commonwealth continues to deliver economic and transportation benefits to businesses and commuters in Virginia and across the region.”

Amtrak, which has served as the state’s operational partner since Virginia’s state-supported service began in 2009, is contributing $944 million to the TRV program.  Rail improvements will benefit the network of Amtrak Virginia, long distance, and commuter services operating in the Commonwealth.

“We are happy with this significant development advancing the Long Bridge project to improve rail infrastructure in Virginia,” Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang said. “We are proud to partner with VPRA on the continued growth of passenger rail for travel between the Northeast and Southeast regions.”

Transforming Rail in Virginia

A national model for the expansion of state-supported passenger rail service, TRV is the Commonwealth’s $5 billion initiative to expand passenger rail service and give Virginian’s an alternative to the state’s ever-growing traffic problem.  With VPRA leading the way, the Commonwealth is changing the future of rail transportation by acquiring railroad right-of-way, increasing rail capacity, and reworking passenger and freight operations to improve reliability and increase rail service.

Other partners who have helped bring TRV to fruition include:

• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)who supported Long Bridge with a $729 million grant through its Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP-National).
• Virginia’s Congressional delegation, who supported program funding and VPRA grant applications to ensure funding for Long Bridge as well as all Phase 2 TRV projects.
• The Virginia General Assembly, who through their 2020 enabling legislation, created VPRA and established the Commonwealth Transportation Fund that provides ongoing funding for VPRA’s TRV projects.

Through a combination of state & local dollars and federal grants, Long Bridge as well as all Phose 2 TRV projects, are currently fully-funded.  Once Phase 2 is complete, VPRA will fund a total of 13 daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips, up from the current eight, along four corridors between Washington, DC and Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond with continuing service to points north including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. Through its Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, VPRA is acquiring railroad right-of-way and building infrastructure to expand passenger rail throughout Virginia.  VPRA is also committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, Virginia’s state-supported passenger rail service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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