By KELLY HANNON
Virginia has entered a national competition for high-speed rail funds.
If it wins, passengers in the Fredericksburg area will see a direct benefit.
Yesterday, Virginia filed an application for $74.8 million in federal stimulus funds to build a third railroad track over 11.4 miles in Prince William and Stafford counties. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act sets aside $8 billion for high-speed rail projects.
Virginia will compete with other states for the money. The Federal Railroad Administration is evaluating the applications.
Virginia wants to start high-speed passenger trains between Washington and Richmond, cutting a one-way trip between the cities to 90 minutes. Trains would reach a speed of 90 mph. State officials consider a third track crucial to providing that service.
A third track would provide more room for freight and passenger trains to travel between Richmond and Washington, and would limit the ability of a disabled train to halt all train traffic in the corridor.
Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express trains currently mingle with freight trains on the two existing tracks, which are privately owned by CSX Corp.
The Virginia Railway Express Operations Board passed a resolution Friday supporting the state's high-speed rail application.
In June, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation director Chip Badger told the Commonwealth Transportation Board that Virginia has several advantages in the national competition for the stimulus money.
"Amtrak has stated repeatedly they want to see the Northeast Corridor extended from Washington down to Richmond," Badger said.
Also, Virginia has good working relationships with freight train operators, and starting high-speed rail from D.C. to Richmond would not require acquiring excessive amounts of new property, Badger said.
Working with North Carolina, Virginia has completed initial feasibility studies on the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. Eventually, the two states would like high-speed rail to continue from Richmond to Raleigh and Charlotte, with a spur to Hampton Roads in Virginia.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com