Virginia secures BUILD grants for 2 passenger-rail projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Virginia more than $76 million in grant funding for four transportation infrastructure projects, including two passenger-rail projects. The funding comes from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program.
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission will use $25 million in grant funds to make improvements to the Virginia Railway Express L'Enfant Station and to add a fourth main track in the adjacent railroad corridor between the L'Enfant and Virginia interlockings. These improvements will increase capacity for commuter and intercity passenger-rail service, according to a press release from the office of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Another $25 million is designated for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to construct the Richmond Layover Facility, a planned overnight storage and servicing space. The project calls for construction of three storage tracks, a maintenance platform, a service pit with a canopy, upgrades to existing signal systems, road improvements, a parking lot and site building. Virginia also received BUILD funding for two non-rail projects. The city of Lynchburg will receive $24.5 million for its U.S. Route 501/U.S. Route 221 intersection improvement project; and Middlesex County will use about $1.6 million to advance redevelopment of the Broad Creek working waterfront.