The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) have completed a $27.5 million improvement project at the Quantico rail station “designed to improve safety, service and rail capacity” on VPRA’s Amtrak Virginia state-supported service and VRE’s Fredericksburg Line.
The project includes construction of a pedestrian bridge, which replaces an at-grade crossing; center platform; and extension of an existing platform. The station, which is also served by Amtrak, now has three boardable platform edges. Rehabilitation of the 1953 station house includes fresh paint, modern furnishings and new display screens. VRE’s Quantico station construction partners include CSX, Archer & Western, Dewberry, HDR, STV and U.S. Facilities, Inc. Its three jurisdictional partners are the Town of Quantico, Prince William County, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. VPRA’s partner on the third main track project is CSX.
The Quantico station improvements are part of a larger VPRA project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth of Virginia and constructed by CSX, that adds 9.2 miles of a third main line track between CP (control points) Arkendale and North Possum Point. The addition of this third track is expected to improve on-time performance for Amtrak and VRE trains, as more rail capacity allows for faster passenger trains to pass freight trains that travel at lower speeds. The $101.4 million Arkendale project is a part of VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative to expand passenger rail service in the Commonwealth.
“This transformative project—which brings a renewed sense of vibrancy to the Quantico station and town surrounding it—is the result of strong partnerships with other railroads, local jurisdictions, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and federal and state agencies,” said VRE CEO Rich Dalton. “These improvements will enhance the passenger experience, increase operational flexibility, and make the station accessible.”
“The Arkendale project represents the first completion of rail capacity projects in the Commonwealth, and these projects will enable more passenger service, thereby offering Virginians more choices to avoid the “all day rush hour” on our interstates,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “This project was funded by both federal and state tax dollars signaling a commitment from both Washington and Richmond to expanding passenger rail service in Northern Virginia.”
