Long Bridge project squeezes Richmond rail commuters
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority's yearslong Long Bridge Project, which is expected to speed up train travel between Richmond and D.C., is making commuting a nightmare for some regular riders.
Why it matters: Construction is expected to last four years — but some relief is on the way.
State of play: Work began in mid-January on the Long Bridge Project, which is named for the existing train bridge that connects Arlington and D.C. and serves millions of Virginia rail commuters.
- The project will double the number of tracks across the Potomac, separate passenger and freight lines and "relieve one of the biggest rail bottlenecks on the East Coast," per VPRA.
- And relief is desperately needed. Around 2 million Amtrak passengers and 3 million Virginia Railway Express commuters use Long Bridge annually, pushing it to 98% capacity during peak hours.
Zoom in: In the meantime, construction has paused some service across the state, including two crucial morning routes out of the Staples Mill station that put riders in D.C. by 9am and 10am.
- That leaves regular Richmond to D.C. rail commuters with 5:58am as the sole weekday morning route.
- Those trains have gotten crowded and in some cases are standing-room-only, per a review of comments on Virginia Railway Express social media posts. "Standing Room only is Unacceptable and NOT SAFE," reads one. "For the love of god, add more cars," says another.
Yes, but: VPRA and Amtrak just announced express bus service between Richmond and D.C., which starts Saturday and is meant to relieve overcrowding on the trains.
- The buses will leave from Staples Mill and Main Street stations and provide nonstop service to Union Station for less than a train ticket, Karina Romero with VPRA tells Axios.
- Reservations can be made at Amtrak.com/Virginia.
Zoom out: Long Bridge is a two-track CSXT-owned bridge over the Potomac River, connecting Arlington and D.C.
- When the project is done, there will be a second two-track rail bridge next to Long Bridge, plus two new pedestrian and bicycle bridges.
What's next: The Long Bridge Project is expected to be completed in 2030.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (not Amtrak) is leading the Long Bridge Project and to clarify that VPRA and Amtrak will launch the express bus service.