Youngkin inheriting massive rail projects

By Jared Foretek Nov 29, 2021 Updated Nov 29, 2021



The Long Bridge rail crossing over the Potomac River. (Washington D.C. Department of Transportation/ Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation)

Virginia’s transportation system was far from the biggest issue during the gubernatorial election, and Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin spoke sparingly on the campaign trail about his vision on public transit and passenger rail.

But his administration will inherit the most ambitious rail project in the state’s recent history, with some wondering whether the incoming Republican shares his predecessor’s vision for passenger rail in Northern Virginia and across the state.

Unveiled in December 2019, work on the $3.7-billion Transforming Rail in Virginia plan has continued apace through the pandemic and could even see some acceleration through funding in the recently passed federal infrastructure bill. When completed, it will significantly increase service on Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express in Northern Virginia, adding bidirectional, late-night and weekend service on the commuter rail line.

The improvements will be anchored by a new $1.9 billion Long Bridge over the Potomac River that wil serve only passenger trains, with the complete $3.7 billion cost set aside through a combination of state, federal and private funding.

Donald “DJ” Stadtler Jr., executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, said nobody can predict what happens in a change of administrations but that the projects are well-founded.

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