Report a Comment

The plans for the 4 tracks through L'Enfant Plaza can't be really discussed in isolation. Has to be tied in with the current engineering study to replace or supplement the Long Bridge, the southeast HSR corridor to Richmond and beyond, Amtrak traffic, MARC and VRE someday changing from weekday only commuter service to 7 days a week regional rail, and future electrification for passenger trains on the SE HSR corridor.

Fortunately the $2.9 million preliminary engineering and environmental analysis study is funded for the Long Bridge to Alexandria segment so the plans for SW DC redevelopment can be coordinated with the ROW height and width needs for CSX, Amtrak, VRE, MARC and future HSR.

What I hope they are considering is replacing the Long Bridge with a 4 track bridge or building a 2 track bridge parallel to the Long Bridge for passenger tracks. Have 2 tracks for CSX, 2 tracks for passenger trains from DC down through Alexandria station to AF interlocking. Separate the freight trains from the passenger trains over that segment. Catenary can be put up on the 2 passenger tracks without interfering with CSX. Then the corridor to Alexandria can be used for as the starting point for an electrified HSR line to Richmond and Charlotte.

by AlanF on Jul 17, 2012 11:58 am • link • report