VPRA
The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia on Nov. 20 published a 105-page study evaluating the economic and social impact of VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, in particular the economic effects of capital projects identified in the VPRA FY 2025 budget amendment and passenger service improvements that will be made by FY 2035.
The goal of the initiative is to expand and improve passenger rail services across Virginia through track right-of-way acquisitions, rail infrastructure investments, and passenger service improvements (see map above). Eventually, it will separate freight and passenger rail services, improving the on-time performance of both. Once complete, VPRA is slated to fund a total of 13 daily Amtrak roundtrips, up from the current eight, along four corridors between Washington, D.C. and Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond, Va.
The study estimates that spending nearly $4.7 billion on Transforming Rail in Virginia’s infrastructure projects will result in the creation of 33,688 jobs and the generation of $2.6 billion in labor income and $6.7 billion in statewide economic output.
According to VPRA, the study also mentions that the impacts of Transforming Rail in Virginia are not limited to economic development. “The transportation improvements will influence future property values and land use decisions, as well as positively impact accessibility, and social wellbeing,” it said. “The report also shines light on ways Transforming Rail in Virginia can promote rail, removing barriers to its use by offering more service to more locations thus creating regular users from those who previously had not considered rail as a viable alternative. Secondary impacts include the diversion of traffic from the automobile to passenger rail resulting in reduced road congestion, lower vehicle emissions, and improved safety. Transforming Rail in Virginia also has the opportunity to enhance the quality of life of Virginians by expanding access to employment centers, educational institutions, and recreational areas as well as promoting tourism throughout the state.”
Separately, VPRA and Virginia Railway Express recently 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. Also, VPRA in October took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Bridge Project, which is slated to boost passenger rail capacity over the Potomac River between Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C., and to relieve one of the largest rail traffic bottlenecks on the East Coast.
Santa Clara VTA
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $900,000 to Santa Clara VTA for a transit-oriented development project near Gilroy Transit Center, a downtown rail and bus station that is currently served by Caltrain commuter rail and Santa Clara VTA buses that connect to San José and San Francisco. The 7.8-acre property is located at Monterey Highway and 7th Street in Gilroy.
Santa Clara VTA on Nov. 19 reported that the grant will support its work with the city of Gilroy and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to develop recommendations around land use, urban design, and multimodal transportation for the Gilroy Station Area. Gilroy is part of CHSRA’s San José to Merced project section.
“The ultimate goal is to provide residents with better access to public transportation and support the region’s climate goals by reducing car usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution,” said Santa Clara VTA, which is providing matching funds of $225,000 for a total of $1.125 million for the project. “By strategically locating affordable housing near public transit, VTA aims to create vibrant, accessible communities that empower South County residents to commute more easily and affordably.”
Santa Clara VTA reported that it will work with local agencies, developers, and community stakeholders to advance the planning and implementation stages of these housing projects.
It is one 11 of grant recipients in 10 states to share the $10.5 million awarded through FTA’s Pilot Program for TOD Planning. New Jersey Transit was also selected to receive $380,000 from the FTA to create a transit-oriented development master plan around Paterson station, which is on the agency’s Main-Bergen County commuter rail line.
