The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced what it claims is “another record-breaking year in truck diversion” through its freight rail programs, allowing the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue “leading the way in rail efficiency.” In 2024, a total of 16,234,884 trucks were successfully diverted from Virginia’s highways, a significant increase from 15,054,707 trucks diverted in 2023, the agency says.
This milestone, DRPT says, reflects a consistent upward trend in truck diversion that has continued every year since 2017, supported by the Youngkin Administration’s focus on modernizing infrastructure and maximizing taxpayer return on investment.
According to the agency, these results highlight the transformational impact of rail investments across the Commonwealth. On average, one railcar removes 3.4 truckloads from the road. In 2024 alone, 4,774,966 railcars contributed to this achievement, “demonstrating that freight rail is playing a crucial role in improving transportation efficiency and reducing highway wear.”
Virginia’s success is made possible through the combined efforts of several targeted DRPT programs, including the Rail Preservation Fund, the Rail Industrial Access Program, the FREIGHT Program, and its predecessor, the Rail Enhancement Fund. Each program, DRPT says, “plays a strategic role in strengthening and expanding the Commonwealth’s freight rail infrastructure, while helping businesses shift goods off crowded highways and onto rail.”
All recipients of DRPT rail grant funding are required to report annually on project performance for several years after completion. This performance tracking, the agency says, “enables DRPT to evaluate long-term project success and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being invested responsibly and effectively.” In 2024, 32 grantees submitted carload data for projects completed that year, contributing to the overall truck diversion count and providing insight into the sustained impact of these public investments.
“This progress demonstrates that rail is not only a smart investment, but it is a strategic solution to some of Virginia’s biggest transportation challenges,” said DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson. “Every truck we keep off the road means less congestion for drivers, lower maintenance costs for our infrastructure, and a more efficient supply chain for Virginia businesses. These results show that our freight rail programs are delivering meaningful benefits to communities and the Commonwealth as a whole. We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built, and we’re committed to taking it even further in 2025.”
“Freight rail is essential to Virginia’s economy, and this new data proves that our investments are making a measurable difference,” said Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller. “Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, we are focused on infrastructure solutions that are efficient, fiscally responsible, and designed to support long-term growth. By leveraging public-private partnerships and targeting smart infrastructure projects, we’re supporting growth, while also helping to ensure that Virginia remains a competitive and connected place to live and do business.”
Virginia’s freight rail network spans more than 3,000 route-miles and includes nearly 6,000 miles of active track, reaching every region of the Commonwealth. The system is served by two Class I railroads, Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX, as well as nine short line railroads that connect local industries to national and global markets.
