CSX and Virginia to create separate freight and passenger rail routes

Virginia will pay $525 million to CSX over the next three years to acquire the property and track.  Federal, state and local sources, as well as regional sources, will fund the remainder of the project.

Both parties are working to finalize the definitive agreements, with execution planned in the second half of 2020, they said.

CSX said there would be no immediate impacts to freight as the project proceeds. But once the phases are complete, the separation of freight operations from passenger operations will allow for better fluidity through the corridor.

“CSX is proud of the innovative agreement reached with the Commonwealth of Virginia which will advance our goals for increased safety, efficiency and volume growth while meeting the public’s desire for more passenger rail service to relieve commuter traffic congestion in the I-95 corridor,” CSX CEO Jim Foote said.

Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said the investment is to improve upon and expand passenger rail service between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. Northam also said the overall project will remove five million cars and one million trucks from Virginia highways annually, and help the Port of Virginia reach its goal of moving 40% of containers by rail. 

Over the next 10 years, Virginia is seeking to:

• Double the number of Virginia Amtrak trains.
• Provide nearly hourly Amtrak service between Richmond and Washington, D.C.
• Increase commuter rail service run by the Virginia Railway Express by 75% along the I-95 corridor, with 15-minute intervals during peak periods and adding weekend service.
• Increase Amtrak service to Newport News and improve the scheduling of the third Amtrak train to Norfolk.
• Lay a foundation for Southeast High Speed Rail through the acquisition of the abandoned S-Line, which runs from Petersburg into North Carolina.
• Preserve an existing freight corridor between Doswell and Clifton Forge for future east-west passenger service.

Amtrak’s Board of Directors in turn has approved a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Virginia cementing Amtrak’s commitment to the program.