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4/16/2025
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) yesterday released a draft of a six-year plan calling for $7 billion in proposed investments in public transportation, freight and passenger rail.
The plan covers fiscal years 2026 through 2031. In FY26 alone, the plan would allocate $332 million to local and regional public transportation providers, $442 million to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) Metrorail and Metrobus services; and $17 million to the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), DRPT officials said in a press release.
The program also calls for $20 million in freight-rail investments and $232 million for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to expand passenger-rail service in the state.
The rail portion of the plan includes funding for projects managed by the DRPT's rail division. Those projects fall under two funding programs — the Commonwealth Rail Fund (CRF) and the Shortline Railway Preservation Fund (RPF).
In FY26, the CRF plans to dedicate $8.8 million toward projects that improve railways, railroad equipment, rolling stock, rights of way, rail facilities and engineering and design programs. For FY27-30, another $19.9 million would be allocated.
The CRF also calls for $1.7 million in FY26 to support statewide and local planning for freight- and long-range passenger-rail planning; another $10.6 million is dedicated for FY27-30. Projects supported include environmental clearances and participation in federal programs such as the Corridor Identification and Development Program and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
RPF program targets state-of-good-repair and capacity improvement projects on the short line network. For FY26, the draft plan calls for $9.2 million for bridge and track upgrades, signal system upgrades, yard improvements, siding enhancements and tie and rail replacements. Another $32.6 million is planned for these projects in FY27-31.
The DRPT is seeking feedback on the draft plan via email, comments online, public meetings or by mail. The draft plan and more information on providing feedback can be found here.