Amtrak Virginia Ridership Increased Exponentially This Year. But is Future Growth in Jeopardy?

This story by Ian Stewart was originally published in The Virginia Mercury. It has been shortened.

Amtrak Virginia ridership increased exponentially this year. But is future growth in jeopardy?

The rail system keeps gaining riders and seeks to expand their reach to other areas in the commonwealth amid federal mass layoffs and budget cuts.

Possible bumps in the future of rail travel and infrastructure improvements in the commonwealth could come from how federal dollars are awarded in the form of grants stemming from changes in a landmark infrastructure law enacted during the previous presidential administration.

According to The Architects Newspaper, infrastructure projects to improve stations, tunnels and bridges are in jeopardy because of a $2.3 billion cut in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was created under the administration of former President Joe Biden. In addition, there will be a 91% cut to the federal administration and discretionary funding for Amtrak’s national network, which includes the northeast corridor, has been eliminated, according to a report by the House Democrats Appropriations Committee.   

Current projects that have already been approved, such as the Long Bridge Project, which will create two new track railroad bridges over the Potomac River from Alexandria into D.C., have not been affected by federal budget cuts, said Gerica Goodman, director of external affairs at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.