CSX isnt in the passenger business, hell they are trying hard to unload their marc service obligations. But its their railroad.
Railroad Forums
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orulz wrote:It seems FRA and CSX have managed to work out their differences...management of the project shifted from VRE (a fully passenger-focused agency) to VDRPT (which administers both freight and passenger rail programs throughout the Commonwealth.)Yippee! I'm guessing that VDRPT used a much wider range of carrots and sticks that you allude to, like port improvements, Long Bridge replacement, Richmond-Petersburg upgrades, etc. etc. VRE, as just a renter, didn't have much leverage.
orulz wrote:On a slightly related note, what are the major obstacles on the RF&P when it comes to adding triple-track between DC and Fredericksburg?Adding a 3rd track along the entire RF&P is more than just dealing with the bridges across the rivers and streams. You have to look at road bridges over the tracks and other obstructions. There is a 2006 VDRPT DC to Richmond Third Track Feasibility Study that reviewed the ROW issues and came up with initial minimum cost estimates: http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/activities/files/HD78.pdf (100 page PDF file). The study covered the RF&P from Arlington south of the Long Bridge to Richmond. Challenging segments specifically not covered in the feasibility study include the tracks through downtown Ashland and the elevated tracks through Fredericksburg.
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Did I miss anything? Are any of these existing bridges old or in otherwise poor condition?
Given its route along the Potomac, it seems like there is a large number of long, high bridges on this route. This is bound to be an expensive triple track project. Is there any talk of realigning some curves or otherwise straightening the route? It would be nice to see 110+mph at least from Woodbridge south. Tier II EIS work for Richmond-DC is supposed to start sometime this fall.
afiggatt wrote:You could pick through the report for the north of Fredericksburg segment and try to get a guess estimate on the cost of completing a 3rd track from Dahlgren Junction to Franconia. Three tracks is a lot for a safe grade crossing, so there may be a preference to separate all the remaining grade crossings north of Fredericksburg, which could add a lot to the cost.Interesting point. I don't think there are any grade crossings south of DC until you get to Featherstone Rd. south of Woodbridge. Then' there's Cherry Hill Rd. and two or three at Quantico. There are another three or four for fairly small roads in Stafford County. I don't think much can be done about Cherry Hill. It serves a couple of businesses on the river that have no other access and I'd guess it's too close to the waterline for any practical separation. I'd think at least one of the Quantico crossings could simply be closed. Ditto for at least a couple of the Stafford crossings. So grade crossing elimination might not be as expensive as it appears at first glance (although Featherstone Rd. has a good bit of traffic, and that would be a pretty major separation project).
Arlington wrote:Here is a Google Map of Powell's Creek to Arkendale 3rd Track project that I made.Is any construction yet visible?
It is based on a PDF project-location map on the http://www.drpt.virginia.gov site.
The 11 miles of the project are basically centered on Quantico, starting about 5 miles north, and ending about 6 miles south of the Quantico station. The future Cherry Hill station is actually at the northern tip of the project, just south of the Powell's Creek bridge.
Arlington wrote: Is any construction yet visible?Doubtful. Has VDRPT or VRE even awarded a construction contract yet? If they had, I figure there would have been some publicity about it.
Literalman wrote:VRE Management:At last!
Utility re-location in preparation for construction of an additional third track.