DRPT’s Rail Division supports both passenger and freight rail in Virginia through funding and advocacy for rail improvements, industrial access and preservation projects.

In 2005, the first source of dedicated funding for freight and passenger rail improvements in Virginia history was established through the Rail Enhancement Fund. This Fund is complementary to DRPT’s other rail funds: Rail Industrial Access and Rail Preservation.

The Rail Division has four areas of activity: Passenger Rail Operations, Freight Rail Operations, Planning and Special Projects.

Passenger Rail Operations involves coordinating with Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), other states, local Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and agencies on passenger rail operations, planning and development.

Freight Rail Operations involves coordinating with CSX, Norfolk Southern and other freight rail operators on freight rail operations, planning and development.

In addition to the Rail Enhancement Fund program mentioned above, two other grant programs are associated with freight rail: Rail Preservation and Rail Industrial Access. Rail Preservation provides for the preservation and development of Virginia’s shortline railroads, while Industrial Access fosters rail development and access to freight rail service for new or expanding business and industries.

Rail Planning involves providing input on state and federal rail policy and regulations, track abandonment, freight and passenger rail feasibility analysis, identification of freight rail needs and updates to state rail studies, maps and plans. This activity also includes the DRPT liaison for the Operation Lifesaver Program.

Special Projects is responsible for demand analysis for passenger rail studies, rail capacity analysis and coordinating with local and regional transportation authorities on rail modeling issues and intermodal studies.

For questions or additional information on these programs, please contact our rail staff.

See our Rail Funding page for more information on Rail Grants.