Key Virginia Rail Bridge Project Completes Environmental Review

A $1.9 billion project to add a second set of rail tracks to the Long Bridge that connects Virginia to D.C. is ready to move forward with a recently completed Environmental Impact Statement.

2 minute read

September 17, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Arlington to D.C.

Elvert Barnes / Flickr

"With the state budget in tatters and commuter levels at record lows, now might hardly seem the right moment for Virginia to embark upon a $1.9 billion rail project. However, the recent conclusion of the Long Bridge’s environmental impact study has cleared the way for the commonwealth to do just that," reports Wyatt Gordon. 

Rail advocates and enthusiasts have been touting the potential impact of the Long Bridge project since the Draft EIS for the Long Bridge project was completed in September. But that enthusiasm increased in December 2019, when Virginia announced a $3.7 billion deal to buy 225 miles of track from CSX. This latest announcement about the completion of the EIS shows that Virginia's intercity rail ambitions are maintaining momentum through the economic fallout of the pandemic. 

Wyatt reports that funding contingencies remain for the Long Bridge project to come to its anticipated fruition. "Although the final funding agreement is still being worked out among Amtrak, the D.C. Department of Transportation and Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell isn’t worried about Amtrak’s promised $944 million contribution or the fate of the Long Bridge project."

The final project will be worth the anticipation expressed by Virginia transportation officials in the article. When complete, the project will double the rail capacity across the Potomac River, "thereby creating new possibilities of D.C. to RVA high speed rail, expanded Virginia Rail Express commuter service and increased freight from the Port of Virginia," according to Wyatt.

Monday, September 14, 2020 in The Virginia Mercury

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.