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State upset over CSX delay on rail upgrades

State officials upset over CSX's failure to begin rail improvements between Richmond and Washington

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Date published: 10/1/2004

RICHMOND--Gov. Mark R. War- ner and other state officials expressed exasperation yesterday over CSX Corp.'s delays in breaking ground on $65.7 million in rail improvements that the General Assembly authorized four years ago.

"What is surprising and frustrating is the reluctance of CSX to make this more of a priority, because there are other viable rail projects in Virginia that could make ample use of $65.7 million in a time of limited state transportation resources," Warner said in a statement.

The state funding would help ease rail traffic between Richmond and Washington, a heavily traveled and often congested corridor. State rail officials said they could not explain why CSX had not begun the work, since the improvements benefit not only Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak passengers but also the railroad's freight customers.

"We're talking four years to get something going, and that just seems like too much time," said Karen Rae, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Before the work can start, Virginia and CSX officials must agree on several issues, including the additional liability coverage the railroad wants the state to assume. Jacksonville, Fla.-based CSX also says it has been dealing with widespread damage from recent hurricanes and tropical storms in the Southeast.

"People who would otherwise be able to focus on this particular issue have in fact had to work on problems caused" by the storms, Bob Sullivan, a spokesman for the railroad, said yesterday.

The funding would pay for several crossover improvements along the 100 miles of track between Richmond and Washington. In some areas, such as Franconia and possibly Fredericksburg, a third track would be built to help ease congestion.

North of Fredericksburg, only one railroad track crosses Quantico Creek, causing major backups daily for VRE, Amtrak and freight.

VRE hired a contractor this summer to build a second crossing, paid for with $26 million in state and federal funds, but hang-ups with CSX have stalled the project.

After the upgrades are finished, the tracks will be able to accommodate four more VRE commuter trains, another Amtrak train and up to 15 additional freight trains, Rae said.

Local communities and state governments have a history of battling CSX over the condition of its facilities.

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Date published: 10/1/2004