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Mayors Met over Lunch and Laid Out a New Rail Plan

Mayors of vairous towns in the Peninsula n South Hampton Roads recently met to discuss high-speed rail, according to the Daily Press.

The discussion revolved around the region having to join together behind one plan for the benefit of everyone.

In the past, the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads have battled for equal resources, but the plan with high-speed rail would not reach the Peninsula because the cost to service that area would not be worth the benefit.

Thankfully mayors of those localities were able to see the need of all towns to band together and support high-speed rail coming to Virginia in order to receive federal funding for the project.

High-speed rail could link these areas with Petersburg, Richmond and DC, which will bring greater opportunities for economic growth.

"The Peninsula's hopes for high-speed rail were dealt a severe blow at the end of October when the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization endorsed a route that follows the Route 460 corridor south of the James River from Richmond to Norfolk.

The organization's board, which is made up of local elected officials, voted unanimously for the southern route for high-speed rail. In return, the endorsed plan calls for enhancing the existing passenger rail line on the Peninsula to increase both the frequency and speed of the trains.

Board members took pains to avoid describing the agreement as a compromise, or concession.

Several Peninsula leaders were absent from the vote including Newport News Mayor Joe Frank, who was at a funeral, and Williamsburg Mayor Jeanne Zeidler, who had a conflicting City Council meeting, though they expressed support for the plan. Hampton Mayor Molly Joseph Ward voted for the resolution, despite some reservations about not discussing it with her City Council before voting.

The vote was a major step, as fights over transportation plans have frequently divided the Peninsula from South Hampton Roads.

The mayors said it was important to act now or the region would run the risk of being left out of the Obama administration's plans for a national high speed rail system.

In March, the state will have the opportunity to request a portion of nearly $8 billion allocated for building the rail lines in the stimulus bill Congress passed last February. The long-term goal is to create a rail system that will allow travelers to board an early morning train in Hampton Roads that will allow them to reach as far as Washington, D.C., without a transfer.

The plan endorsed by HRTPO calls for the route to flow from Richmond through Petersburg and along Route 460 to Norfolk. It calls for at least one additional train to be added to the Peninsula, where rail service is plagued by frequent delays. Currently, the Peninsula is the only source of passenger rail in Hampton Roads."

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Posted on Monday, November 9, 2009 - 11:22pm

Price Tag for Rail Falls Once Again

Bringing enhanced passenger rail service to Virginia residents may cost less than previously expected, according to The Daily Press.

Improving transportation in Virginia is key to making the state more marketable to new businesses and residents, both of which are vital to improving the state's economy and improving property values.

"Norfolk Southern Corp.'s latest estimate for bringing passenger rail service to South Hampton Roads offers a welcome bit of cheer for regional leaders who have struggled to keep federal and state officials focused on the project.

Earlier this month, the railroad company said its freight line could be upgraded to handle passenger trains for just $75 million, well below earlier estimates from the state.

Numbers used by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation include passenger stations and other supplementary expenditures not in the railroad's figures. But Norfolk Southern's analysis proves that service to the Southside is both attainable and relatively cheap.

That doesn't mean it's a done deal. There are $102 billion in projects across the country competing for $8 billion in federal stimulus funds. If South Hampton Roads is going to get its share, leaders will have to make the case and be ready to listen to any reasonable suggestions on how to accomplish their goal."

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Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 9:51pm

CSX Seeking Double-stacked Freight Trains Through D.C.

In effort to remove 70,000 trucks off Washington-area roads and improve traffic for commuters and residents, CSX wants to carry double-stacked cars through the DC area, according to the Washington Examiner.

The project would cost millions to raise roofts on bridges and lower some railroad tracks across the mid-Atlantic. As of now, Governors in Maryland and Virginia are for the project. This in addition to adding high-speed rail to the area could drastically transform transportation in Virginia in a way that would make the area more appealing to new businesses, stimulate the local economy and increase property values.

"A proposal to expand the amount of freight chugging through the District is gaining steam, offering a promise of clearing tractor-trailers off the region's congested highways and improving commuter train service.

It also would mean rebuilding some railroad bridges around the region, including the Virginia Avenue tunnel just south of the Capitol.

CSX is proposing an $842 million plan to raise roofs on bridges and lower some railroad tracks across the mid-Atlantic so that it could carry double-stacked cargo containers on its trains.

Locally, that would mean millions of dollars in construction work. The Washington region has some of the worst railroad bottlenecks along the East Coast, including the Virginia Avenue tunnel.

Raising the roof of that tunnel alone would cost an estimated $140 million. The 12 other local projects proposed, including replacing the bridge on Deer Park Drive in Montgomery County's historic Washington Grove, would add millions more.

The freight company would pay about $393 million of the National Gateway initiative, while state and federal dollars would pay the rest. The project is seeking stimulus dollars for some of the costs.

Governors in Maryland, Virginia and other states already have backed the plan. It also has won support from the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, a key regional group of local officials and planners.

'We support the project even though it wouldn't benefit the District,' said District Department of Transportation spokesman John Lisle. 'We recognize there are regional and national benefits from it.'

The plan would add traffic, congestion and headaches during construction, but local officials are hoping it could mean fewer trucks on the roads, plus better commuter and passenger train service.

Officials estimate the proposal could shift 70,000 trucks off Washington-area roads as one train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks, according to CSX. The trains are also more fuel-efficient per pound, they say, getting some 436 miles to the gallon for each ton of cargo"

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Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 11:10pm

Prince. William Board Endorses D.C.-to-Richmond Rail Project

Prince William County supervisors recently formally backed the proposed high-speed rail project that would connect Richmond and Washington, according to the Washington Examiner.

High-speed rail has great potential for the areas it comes to by enhancing opportunities for business and tourism. The benefits it can offer will help to improve home values and the Commonwealth's economy. Even if homeowners do not think they will ever take a ride on high-speed rail once it comes to VA, they should still support the efforts to bring it here sooner rather than later because of the positive impact it will have on their home values.

"Prince William County supervisors on Tuesday formally backed a proposed $1.5 billion high-speed rail project that would rush trains from Richmond to Washington at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

Virginia has until Oct. 2 to apply for a piece of the $8 billion in stimulus funding available for high-speed rail projects around the country. The state also submitted an application for about $72 million in stimulus funds last month for an 11.4-mile, 'ready-to-go' track project in Stafford and Prince William counties.

'Virginia is geographically unique because we serve as the link' between high-speed rail in the northeastern and southeastern U.S., said Barbara Reese, deputy director of policy for Gov. Tim Kaine.

Supervisors unanimously supported the project, which advocates say would reduce congestion along the Interstate 95 corridor and improve air quality.

There has been talk of extending Metro into the county, but supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large, pointed out that those plans would be 20 to 30 years in the making. 'We don't have that time to wait,' he said. 'This is a realistic step forward.'

State leaders are enthusiastic about the prospect of high-speed rail.

Advocates, such as Daniel Plaugher, executive director of Virginians for High Speed Rail, said the project would achieve the 'three 90s" -- "a 90 mph top speed, a 90-minute commute, and most importantly a 90-percent on-time performance with increased service between Washington and Richmond.'

The state is completing the application and is lobbying local governments and business leaders for support, Reese said."

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Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 10:27pm

Fairfax Urges Kaine to Re-Start HOT Lane Project

Fairfax County residents and officials are upset about the delay of the I-395/95 HOT lane project and they are letting the state know about it, according to a recent story in the Washington Post.

Beltway residents daily deal with communiting nightmares and are anxious for solutions to lessen the headache of getting around town. Projects like high-speed rail and I-395/95 HOT lane are such solutions.

This is an important topic for homeowners because in addition to making day-to-day living easier, improving traffic in such a highly congested area can make Fairfax more appealing to new residents, which is key to protecting home values.

"Fairfax County leaders are urging state officials to restart their plan to build express lanes on two traffic-clogged highways in Northern Virginia, saying the delay or termination of the I-395/95 HOT lane project would exacerbate a 'commuting nightmare' for Beltway residents.

In a letter dated Tuesday to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D) wrote that county officials had "very grave reservations" about the HOT lanes project delay, asking that the state re-evaluate its decision.

The I-395/95 HOT lanes would extend south from the Pentagon to Massaponax in Spotsylvania County, intersecting the Beltway at the Springfield interchange. Construction was to have begun by next summer. 

But in August, the state announced it would delay construction of the express lanes. Elected officials and both gubernatorial candidates blamed each other for the postponement. At the time, Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer said it was unwise to borrow money for the project along one of the country's most traffic congested areas during a recession."

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Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 10:18am

Passenger Rail on Freight Tracks Less Costly

The cost of putting a passenger trains on Norfolk Southern's existing freight tracks between Petersburg and Norfolk would be far less than the state's original estimate, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Bringing high-speed rail to Virginia is becoming an effort that is encouraging various localities, organizations and departments to work together in order to receive federal funding. The addition of the service could greatly improve transportation along the eastern part of the state, and make way for future growth.

Even you will never ride the proposed rail service, you will still be affected by it. The economic possibilities that could happen because of enhanced transporation services in the area will help boost your property value.

"Norfolk Southern Corp. projects the cost of putting conventional passenger rail on its freight tracks between Petersburg and Norfolk at $75 million, far less than the state's estimate.

State estimates released in July show that slightly faster trains, 90-110 mph versus 79 mph, in the same corridor would cost $262 million.

Chip Badger, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation director, said the state numbers include passenger stations and other costs not counted in Norfolk Southern's estimate. Pricing details will not be released for possibly several weeks, he said.

High-speed rail has become a hot topic in Hampton Roads with the impending release of a state study into the costs and ridership of bringing trains to the area and with the Obama administration's $8 billion in federal stimulus money set aside to build a high-speed train network.

The state is seeking stimulus money to build higher-speed rail between Washington and Richmond and between Richmond and Hampton Roads. The projects are among $102 billion worth of projects nationally vying for the federal money.

Deborah H. Butler, the railroad's executive vice president of planning and chief information officer, told a gathering of the Urban Land Institute on Wednesday that the $75 million for improving the corridor that roughly parallels U.S. 460 is about half the company's early estimate."

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Posted on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 11:41am

Believe It or Not, Traffic is Getting Worse in the D.C. Region

According to The Free Lance-Star's transportation reported, traffic is getting worse in the Northern VA/DC region. A recent study showed that traffic issues around the country decreased in most major cities, but got worse in the DC area.

Future tansportation plans like high-speed rail could help to alleviate some of the congestion on the major roadways around the DC region.

"NO, it is not your imagination. Traffic really is worse than it was six months ago.

Real-time traffic information provider INRIX found congestion in most U.S. cities stayed level or shrank this year, growing nationwide at only 0.5 percent. That's not surprising, given the recession, high unemployment and a downward trend in vehicle miles driven. Washington, of course, was an exception. Despite all of these factors, traffic in the D.C. area got 9 percent worse.

Another way D.C. is different: The worst travel hour nationally is Friday from 5 to 6 p.m., but in Washington it's Thursday night from 5 to 6.

INRIX considers Washington the fourth-most-congested city in the nation for the first six months of 2009, after Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, in that order. It beat Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Seattle."

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Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 8:40am

Business Leaders and Residents Urged to Press for Hampton Roads Rail

The Virginian-Pilot reported on a recent meeting in Norfolk concerning high-speed rail coming to Hampton Roads. The pressure is on for area business leaders and residents to start voicing their support for rail service as the state highway department has a shrinking revenue and growing maintenance needs that will prevent improvements to area highways.

Rail is a great solution to this problem, especially high-speed rail which is quick, affordable to passengers and cost-efficient. The federal government is giving away funds to help areas like Hampton Roads improve transportation. Currently Virginia has submitted applications to receive part of the money and is competing with areas in North Carolina to receive the Southeast's portion of the federal money.

Rail is going to happen across the country. Now it is up to business leaders and residents to speak up to ensure it comes to Hampton Roads.

"Business and community leaders need to start lobbying now for higher-speed trains to South Hampton Roads, a rail advocate told a gathering of the Downtown Norfolk Council on Wednesday.

Although a state study on passenger service will not be released for several weeks, businessman Brad Face, a founder and co-chairman of Virginians for High Speed Rail, said, 'I'd immediately start making noise.'

The political momentum for expanding fast trains out of Washington is focused south through Richmond and Petersburg then on to North Carolina.

It's not on bringing it to Hampton Roads 'because we haven't gotten our act together in Virginia,' Face said.

'We have to redirect the political momentum,' he said.

The federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor includes both North Carolina and Hampton Roads links.

The Obama administration has set aside more than $8 billion in federal stimulus money to start building a national high-speed train network and has proposed another $5 billion over five years.

Virginia has applied for stimulus money for the Washington-to-Petersburg link. The state is also requesting money in a second round of federal funding for a Hampton Roads connection."

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Posted on Friday, September 4, 2009 - 5:07pm

Virginia Applies for $74 Million for High-speed Rail

Just a week after Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted to join Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter train service, state transportation officials submitted their application to receive federal funding for a high-speed rail.

With the support of community business owners, commuters and homeowners, VRE's plans for high-speed rail will reduce traffic on the major roadways, increasing property value and making commuting easier. High-speed rail could greatly improve quality of living for residents in Virginia, and is a great initiative for homeowners to support.

"Transportation officials are hoping to get $74.8 million for a high-speed rail line between Powell’s Creek and Stafford County.

Virginia submitted its application for the federal stimulus funds Monday, which would come from a larger pot of $8 billion approved for high-speed rail improvements.

If approved, the money will go to the construction of a third rail between Arkendale in Stafford County to Powell’s Creek near Dumfries. The third track is expected to pave the way for Amtrak trains capable of traveling at speeds of 90 mph or more, and would allow for the implementation of express trains on Virginia Railway Express’ Fredericksburg line.

Those express trains would originate in Fredericksburg and would stop at only one or two stations along the line before reaching Washington, said VRE spokesman Mark Roeber earlier this month. VRE would manage construction of the 11-mile stretch of track."

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Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 12:15pm

Rail Improvements Could Improve Property Values in the Richmond Area

The Richmond Times-Dispatch published a story about federal stimulus money being used to improve railroad transportation for passengers coming through the Richmond area. The state is applying for about $590 million to make various rail improvements. Specifically about $90-100 million of the money requested will be used to improve operations at the Acca switching yard near Bryan Park highway interchange so that passenger trains can move through the area faster.

Everything done in the Richmond Terminal Project will contribute to making the U.S. Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor, with its extension to Hampton Roads, a reality in Virginia. Faster passenger rail service would help handle travelers now crowding clogged highway and busy airports along the East Coast. It will also give commuters more options and flexibility.

These kind of changes matter to homeowners in Virginia, even if they will never ride one of the high-speed rail trains. Improvements to transportation in Virginia will have a domino effect on qualitfy of living, economic development and higher property values.

"CSX Corp. and the state could finalize plans to improve passenger train flow through Richmond in the next few weeks. Virginia is applying for about $590 million in federal stimulus money to make an interrelated series of rail improvements in the Richmond area -- steps needed for the development of a high-speed rail corridor.

'We're ready with a lot of work,' said Charles M. Badger, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Assuming the Federal Railroad Administration agrees to the state's grant request, work on the ground could get under way by spring, Badger said.

A key part of the state's package is an estimated $90 million to $100 million worth of rail improvements to hasten the passage of Amtrak trains through CSX's Acca Yard in Henrico County.

The Acca switching yard, where the freight railroad sorts trains, is located just west of the Bryan Park highway interchange for Interstates 95 and 64.

'If we can get the trains going 45 miles an hour instead of 10 miles an hour through Acca between Staples Mill Station and Main Street Station, that alone will be a very significant improvement in travel time,' Badger said.

Traversing the bottleneck now can easily delay a train 20 to 30 minutes, or more, he said. 'A lot of the time, passenger trains have to stop and wait for freight movements or passenger trains. That's the big thing.'

The $590 million in proposed work, termed the Richmond Terminal Project, would make rail improvements 'to get trains out of each other's way,' Badger said, from Acca Yard to Centralia to the south, and reaching to Varina to the east.

Proposed elements of the terminal project include bypass, turning and passing tracks, rail switches and new platforms at the city's Main Street Station."

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Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 5:59pm