Draft Richmond to D.C. rail study out, but controversy remains on whether to send route through or around Ashland

By ROBERT ZULLO and MICHAEL O’CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch 12 hrs ago

A long-awaited draft environmental statement for a plan to reduce congestion and speed up rail service between Richmond and Washington leaves unresolved the thorniest question along the 123-mile route: how to cross Ashland and Hanover County, where opposition has been fierce.

Despite being “born of the railroad” as a mineral springs resort — a fact the town proudly notes on its website — and hosting the yearly Ashland Train Day event in a downtown bisected by rail lines, many Ashland residents and leaders are dead-set against proposals to run an additional track through the town. And Hanover County leaders are equally obstinate about building a bypass around the town.

The draft environmental impact statement released last week by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration contains recommendations for additional tracks and other upgrades in parts of Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Caroline County and Richmond.

The plan for the project, which could cost more than $5 billion, lacks any dedicated federal funding and remains at least a decade away from construction, also recommends keeping the Richmond area’s existing two-station configuration. It also suggests a new building at the Staples Mills Station and a new bridge across the James River to improve service from Main Street Station.
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rzullo@timesdispatch.com

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Twitter: @rczullo

moconnor@timesdispatch.com

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