Author: Batrak Oleksandr — Editor-in-Chief at Railway Supply

The Virginia transit and freight-rail plan is now open for public review. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation released its draft six-year improvement program for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. The agency is accepting public comments through June 1. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Inside Virginia’s Just-Released $1 Billion Blueprint for Freight and Public Transit
Photo: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Inside Virginia’s Just-Released $1 Billion Blueprint for Freight and Public Transit

For FY27, the draft program includes $19 million in state funding for rail and public transit work. Across the full six-year period, the projects in the plan account for $239 million in combined investment from private, state, local and federal sources, DRPT said, as reported by Progressive Railroading.

Funding under the Virginia transit and freight-rail plan

The freight-rail portion of the plan separates project funding, rail planning support and short-line preservation grants.

Freight-rail projects would receive $6.8 million in state support in FY27. They would receive another $9.6 million for FY28 through FY32, according to the draft FY27-32 Six Year Improvement Program and FY27 Budget. The planned work includes improvements to rail lines, equipment and rolling stock, rights of way and facilities.

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Also, DRPT listed $1.2 million in FY27 for rail planning activities. Those activities include participation in federal programs such as Corridor ID and Railroad Crossing Elimination. For FY28 through FY32, the agency assigned $8.6 million to those planning efforts.

Separately, another share of freight-rail funding is directed to Virginia’s short-line preservation fund. The grant program focuses on state-of-good-repair and capacity improvements for small railroads. Under the draft plan, DRPT allocated $11.7 million for the fund in FY27 and $24.5 million for FY28 through FY32.

Public transportation services

The program also includes more than $815 million in state funding for public transportation services. That amount includes Virginia’s allocations to the Virginia Railway Express, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and highway corridor programs.

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