VRE Quantico Station Improvements Enhance Safety, Service, Capacity

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Alexandria, and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) celebrated the completion of a $27.5 million improvement project at the Quantico train station with a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project is designed to improve safety, service, and rail capacity on VPRA’s Amtrak Virginia state-supported service and VRE’s Fredericksburg Line.

“This transformative project, which brings a renewed sense of vibrancy to the Quantico station and town surrounding it, is the result of strong partnerships with other railroads, local jurisdictions, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and federal and state agencies,” said VRE CEO Rich Dalton. “These improvements will enhance the passenger experience, increase operational flexibility, and make the station accessible.”

The project includes construction of a pedestrian bridge, which replaces an at-grade crossing, center platform, and extension of an existing platform. The station, which is also served by Amtrak, now has three boardable platform edges. Rehabilitation of the 1953 station house includes fresh paint, modern furnishings, and new display screens.

The Quantico station improvements are part of a larger VPRA project, funded by USDOT and the Commonwealth of Virginia and constructed by CSX Transportation (CXST), that adds 9.2 miles of a third mainline track between control points Arkendale and North Possum Point. The $101.4 million Arkendale project is a part of VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative to expand passenger rail service in the commonwealth.

“The Arkendale project represents the first completion of rail capacity projects in the commonwealth, and these projects will enable more passenger service, thereby offering Virginians more choices to avoid the ‘all-day rush hour’ on our interstates,” said DJ Stadtler, VPRA executive director. “This project was funded by both federal and state tax dollars, signaling a commitment from both Washington and Richmond to expanding passenger rail service in Northern Virginia.”