Va. planners hosting meetings on high-speed rail system

December 8, 2015

Source: Megan Cloherty | WTOP, DC Metro

WASHINGTON — Plans for high-speed rail running from D.C. to Jacksonville, Florida, may be in their infancy — but many people are already looking forward to a rail option that can zip them down the Interstate 95 corridor.

Map for the Southeast High Speed Rail Project. (Courtesy dc2rvarail.com)Map for the Southeast High Speed Rail Project. (Courtesy dc2rvarail.com)

Virginia transportation planners are focused on the commonwealth’s leg of the Southeast High Speed Rail Project, also known as DC2RVa, from D.C. to Richmond, Virginia.

 Emily Stock, the manager of rail planning at the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, says environmental teams have to study its impact before they can even ask for funding.
 
“Folks in the region may be aware of a study from property-owner letters we’ve sent out,” she says.
 
With its expected completion in 2025, the rail will speed commuters down to Richmond, which is where one of three community meetings are taking place this week.
 

“We’re looking at every inch of the right of way that could be impacted as part of the improvements,” Stock says.

Public information meetings are set for Dec. 8 in Fredericksburg, Dec. 9 in Springfield and Dec. 10 in Richmond. Get more information about the meetings here.