For Release: March 17, 2017
Contact: Paul Dean, Manager of Public Relations and Government Affairs
(703) 838-5416
VRE Operations Board Votes to Advance Broad Run Terminus Expansion Alternative
Alexandria, VA - The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board today unanimously voted to advance the Broad Run Terminus Expansion alternative of the Gainesville-Haymarket Extension Study. This alternative, which was recommended by the VRE staff and endorsed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, allows for capacity expansion along the Manassas line by expanding storage at the Broad Run train yard, and potentially realigning the current station and adding new parking at the Broad Run station. The vote allows VRE to advance into “Phase 2” of the current project, which will include the completion of preliminary engineering and preparation for National Environmental Policy Act evaluation. An early step in the next phase will be continuing coordination with the Norfolk Southern railroad, working toward their approval of the necessary railroad infrastructure.
The Broad Run Terminus was one of five alternatives studied by VRE with input from the local community and the various jurisdictions along the Manassas line. The other alternatives included eliminating the Broad Run station and expanding the line as far as Gainesville or Haymarket. In approving the Broad Run Expansion alternative, the Board noted its decision was based on an analysis that showed this was the most cost effective means of addressing future service needs along the Manassas line.
VRE Chief Executive Doug Allen stated, “I am pleased VRE conducted a thorough technical analysis with robust stakeholder involvement to provide the Operations Board and Prince William County with the information they needed to reach their conclusion.” He added, “with the decision, the Board demonstrated its vision to ensure VRE remains a critical component of the Northern Virginia transportation system well into the future, while at the same time being committed to ensuring investments provide the most value for the taxpayers’ dollars.” This process moves VRE toward expanding its ability to add more service on the Manassas Line. A Broad Run terminus expansion would allow the commuter rail service to meet ridership demands along the Manassas line by letting it to run longer and more frequent trains.
About the Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
VRE is the tenth largest commuter rail service in the U.S. and is a transportation partnership of the Northern Virginia and Potomac & Rappahannock Transportation Commissions. VRE’s mission is to provide safe, cost effective, accessible, reliable, convenient, and customer responsive commuter-oriented rail passenger service. It provides over 4.5 million rides annually in northern Virginia and Washington D.C. and its offices are based in Alexandria, VA. Visit our website at: www.vre.org