The Long Bridge Project over the Potomac River is under construction. Once finished, it will relieve one of the largest rail bottlenecks on the East Coast.
As a result, Amtrak and VRE have implemented changes to schedules effective Jan. 12, 2026. Amtrak changes are already reflected in the system if booking travel beyond January 12. VRE schedules remain largely unchanged, but some morning and afternoon trains will terminate/originate at Alexandria – these changes are also reflected in published schedules
About the Service Adjustments
Building new rail infrastructure is a complex process that requires careful planning to minimize disruption to train service while maximizing safety and efficiency of construction. As the Long Bridge Project enters full construction, major construction activities require daytime “work windows” through the construction zone, which are specific blocks of time when work can be performed on or near the tracks. These windows have been carefully scheduled to avoid peak travel times and minimize impacts on passengers.
Work windows will begin January 12, 2026, and will continue until the project’s completion in 2030. A number of critical factors were considered when developing the service plan. These include:
- Preserving as much of the current service – passenger and freight – as possible, with the least impactful changes in schedule.
- Creating the longest possible work window without interruptions for construction crews to make meaningful progress each day. Crews will be working not only on the Long Bridge Project, but also on the Alexandria Fourth Track project and VRE’s L’Enfant project, as both are critical connections to the Long Bridge Project.
- Scheduling the daily work window around Washington, DC’s noise and vibration restriction, which prohibits crews from working between 7 pm and 7 am.
- Looking beyond Virginia to determine the impact of other large infrastructure projects currently underway along the East Coast, most notably large-scale Amtrak Northeast Corridor projects outside Baltimore and New York. Schedule changes for these projects impact service to and from Virginia.
During construction, some Amtrak and VRE routes will have temporary adjustments. These changes are necessary to allow for the construction work window while minimizing disruption to passenger service.
Impacted Routes & Schedules
Amtrak:
- Amtrak Virginia will continue on all routes during construction, but with temporary adjustments.
- Adjusted schedules to 4 daily round-trip trains between Hampton Roads and Washington, DC (2 to Norfolk and 2 to Newport News).
- Additional 2 daily express buses to and from Hampton Roads and Washington Union Station, with stops at Virginia Beach,Norfolk, and Newport News. Express Bus options provide Newport News an additional connection to Washington, DC compared to today.
- Total Amtrak Virginia service in Hampton Roads will equal 6 combined rail + bus roundtrips (slightly more than the current 5 all-rail roundtrips).
- Amtrak Long Distance trains will have adjusted schedules.
- Departure and arrival times may shift slightly.
Learn more about Amtrak service adjustments at www.amtrak.com: Amtrak Advisory | VPRA Long Bridge Project Impacts Multiple Northeast Stations.
Virginia Railway Express:
- Temporary schedule adjustments for the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines.
- No trains are being eliminated—morning and evening trains will continue running.
- Some trains will start or end at Alexandria instead of Union Station.
Learn more about VRE service adjustments at https://www.vre.org/about/long-bridge-project-/.
Additional Resources
Intercity Bus Service
To maintain service, a temporary intercity express buses will be available for affected routes, ensuring you can still reach your destinations during the construction.
Amtrak Step-Up
VRE’s Amtrak Step-Up Program is returning as an additional option for VRE multiride ticketholders to ride Amtrak Virginia trains in and out of Washington Union Station.
Tips for Your Trip
Always check Amtrak.com or VRE.org
To confirm available services and travel options, visit the official Amtrak or VRE websites and enter your travel details. The displayed options reflect real-time availability.
Leave Your Contact Info
When booking any reservation, it is always best to include your phone number and your email. This ensures Amtrak or VRE can notify you of any changes or cancellations to your reservations.