Amtrak: Service Could be More Frequent in Va.

January 30, 2008 - 1:02pm

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - Amtrak says two existing rail lines in Virginia could be expanded to provide more frequent service within the state.

Amtrak says the Interstate 95 corridor between Washington and Richmond has the biggest potential, but other promising routes are from Washington to Lynchburg and Washington to Newport News.

Amtrak spokeswoman Corina Romero says no costs have been identified yet.

"No funding source has been identified yet," she says.

Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transit asked Amtrak to look at the most feasible expansion as part of a statewide plan, but the state would have to pay for it.

The two routes, which include stops in Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper and Fredericksburg, are considered the most feasible because the tracks and stations already exist. If there's an agreement, it could be six years before the added trains actually start to run.

Amtrak has rail cars in storage that could be used, and Norfolk Southern tracks it would use are in good shape.

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - Amtrak says two existing rail lines in Virginia could be expanded to provide more frequent service within the state.

Amtrak says the Interstate 95 corridor between Washington and Richmond has the biggest potential, but other promising routes are from Washington to Lynchburg and Washington to Newport News.

Amtrak spokeswoman Corina Romero says no costs have been identified yet.

"No funding source has been identified yet," she says.

Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transit asked Amtrak to look at the most feasible expansion as part of a statewide plan, but the state would have to pay for it.

Amtrak has rail cars in storage that could be used, and Norfolk Southern tracks it would use are in good shape.

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