Matt Johnson’s post on CSX’s plans for Virginia Avenue has generated a very large debate. Jacqueline Dupree scanned in the sketch showing some of CSX’s ideas for how its project might improve the immediate area.

Those include better underpasses across Virginia Avenue, a new connection at 2nd Street between Garfield and Canal Parks, and a relocated Virginia Avenue that would “create space for a greenway.”

Commenters seem divided over whether the regional benefits do or should outweigh the local inconvenience, and whether the prosperous CSX railroad ought to pay for the improvements without public help. These plans don’t answer any of those questions, but provide more food for debate.

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Tagged: capitol hill, dc, freight rail, transit, virginia avenue tunnel

David Alpert created Greater Greater Washington in 2008 and was its executive director until 2020. He formerly worked in tech and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco Bay, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He lives with his wife and two children in Dupont Circle.