DRPT and FRA announce opportunity for public to weigh in on Higher Speed Passenger Rail

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced on Monday the start of a preliminary engineering and environmental review project for enhanced intercity passenger rail service between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va. The 115-mile corridor is a segment of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR), which runs from Washington, D.C. through Richmond, Va. and Raleigh, N.C. to Charlotte, N.C. It is part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve service and connections to higher speed rail service in the northeast (Boston, Mass. to Washington, D.C.) to points in the southeast (Miami, Fla. to Charlotte, N.C.) and beyond.

The project, expected to be complete within three years, is the second step in a two-tiered process of federal review. The Tier II Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared will further evaluate the preferred alternative from the Tier I EIS completed in 2002 (Alternative “A” – the CSX Transportation line), as well as other passenger rail improvements required to support increased passenger service and faster, more reliable connections. While the Tier I study established the general corridor for improved service, the exact corridor route and stations will be decided as a part of the Tier II EIS process.

The public will play an integral role in the development of the preferred alternative and in the overall environmental review process. Throughout the study, the public will have multiple opportunities to learn more and provide insight regarding how improved intercity passenger rail service will impact their communities. The first opportunity for public input is available now through an online survey at www.DC2RVArail.com. This survey offers citizens and other stakeholders a chance to give initial input on the scope of the study before the public scoping meetings, which will take place in November.

“It has been several years since the Tier I EIS was completed in this region,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “This survey will allow us to gather new information and capture everyone’s thoughts on intercity passenger rail service from Richmond to D.C. With such a large study area, it’s important for us to understand all localized transportation needs and concerns early in the process to ensure successful outcomes.”

Four public meetings will be held throughout the corridor in November 2014 to offer citizens an opportunity to learn details of the study, review information from the Tier I EIS, and to provide feedback.

Public information meeting dates and locations as well as study details can be found on the project website at www.DC2RVArail.com, the project Facebook page at DC2RVArail, and Twitter at @DC2RVArail.