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The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)
is updating the Statewide Rail Plan for the first time since
2004, and is seeking comments on the draft plan. The plan
provides a vision and strategy for both passenger and
freight rail transportation.
Planned improvements in Fauquier County are the Norfolk
Southern Crescent Corridor project and the TransDominion
Express Intercity Rail project. Freight rail improvements
include expanding single mainline tracks to double tracks,
adding passing sidings and expanding passing sidings.
Passenger rail improvements include increased Amtrak service
between Washington D.C. and Lynchburg, with a possible
future passenger station in Bealeton.
The Fauquier County Transportation Committee considered the
Statewide Rail Plan at its meeting on July 30, 2008. While
the Transportation Committee was generally supportive of
enhanced rail service in the County, the Committee also
sought a commitment in the Plan to the protection and
preservation of the County’s historic, environmental and
agricultural resources in the vicinity of existing rail
lines. The Transportation Committee unanimously recommended
the attached resolution to the Board of Supervisors.
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