VA applies for $75mil for NoVa third track

from the Dispatch:

Virginia seeks $75 million for high speed rail

Virginia is seeking federal stimulus funding for a $74.8 million high-speed rail project in Prince William and Stafford counties.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced yesterday that Virginia has submitted an application for funding for a third set of tracks along an 11.4-mile section of the CSX Corp. rail line between Richmond and Washington.

"The Federal Railroad Administration set very specific criteria for states to compete for this first round of historic federal investment in high-speed rail," Kaine said.

"Virginia has submitted a strong project application and we are ready to begin construction as soon the federal funding is awarded," he said.

The application deadline yesterday was for "ready to go" projects fully supported by both the track owner, CSX in this case, and the service provider, Amtrak. The third set of tracks would stretch from Powell's Creek in Prince William to Arkendale in Stafford.

Virginia intends to compete in October for a second round of high-speed rail projects funded by federal stimulus funds.

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Sounds great! This is an interesting section of the route because there are at least three bridges and most of the track is along the Virginia bank of the Potomac River. The train passes some marinas, Possum Point Power Station and goes right through Marine Corps Base Quantico. Virginia Railway Express also uses this entire section of the track so this will increase VRE efficiency as well.

Take a look at this Google map of the proposed $74.8mil track work.

Also, Transport Politic has posted a complete list of the specific Phase I plans the states have applied for.