ARLINGTON, VA — In a significant milestone for regional transportation and infrastructure, the Long Bridge Project has officially broken ground for construction. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), Federal Railroad Administration, District Department of Transportation, and many additional key stakeholders and public officials, gathered to celebrate with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center in Arlington, Virginia.

VHB served as the lead consultant for the National Environmental Policy Act/Conceptual Engineering and Preliminary Engineering phases for this 1.8-mile rail project, which will double passenger and freight rail capacity for the corridor. Due to VHB’s extensive history on the project, VPRA has requested that VHB continue to provide engineering support as the final design is progressed.

As the only railroad bridge linking Virginia and Washington, D.C., the multi-billion-dollar Long Bridge Project will contribute to a more cohesive rail network by connecting Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, and CSX Transportation between the northeast and southeastern U.S. The new design encompasses five new rail bridges, including a new two-track railroad bridge next to the existing two-track Long Bridge and a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Potomac River.

“This is a big milestone celebration for so many partners,” said Mark Colgan, PE, DBIA, VHB Project Manager for Long Bridge. “The substantial size of the project, its prominence in the region, and cultural significance required major coordination across dozens of stakeholders over the last seven years. The entire project team was truly unified by the relentless vision of VPRA and their strong commitment to transforming rail in Virginia.”  

The Long Bridge corridor will not only provide congestion relief and solve a major pinch point challenge for rail along the east coast, but will also enhance the pedestrian and bicycle network by providing convenient, safe options for connectivity and accessibility. As part of the project, a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be constructed across the Potomac River to connect the newly completed Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center in Arlington, Virginia, to East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C.