Commonwealth Receives Federal Funding to Improve Rural Railroad Crossings
The Crossing Enhancements Will Support High Speed Rail Initiative Between Richmond and Washington, D.C.
 RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) today announced that the Commonwealth has received $3.2 million in federal funding to improve four railroad crossings in rural Virginia. The rail crossing upgrades in Hanover, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties will enhance safety and rail service as well as support higher volume and higher speed rail between Richmond and Washington, D.C.
The Commonwealth received the funding through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration. The program focuses on areas in the rail network where improvements to crossings could save lives, reduce commuting delays, and improve commerce. The four Virginia projects are among 63 projects in 32 states that received federal funding.
The four crossings are on local, two-lane roadways in rural areas. Funding will support the installation of four gates at each of the crossings, which will prevent drivers from going around the barriers and trying to cross ahead of trains. The crossings currently have two gates and warning flashers.
The four crossings are at the following locations:
- Brent Point Road near Arkendale Road and just outside of Widewater State Park in Stafford County
- Summit Crossing Road in Spotsylvania County
- Doswell Road near Doswell Park Road in Hanover County
- Elmont Road between Elmont Crossing Lane and Tyson Trail in Hanover County
“These safety projects are important improvements to the best-in-class road and rail networks that make Virginia the best place to live, work, and do business,” said Virginia Transportation Secretary W. Sheppard Miller III. “Rail crossing enhancements are just some of the many transportation investments we are making across the entire Commonwealth — totaling nearly $26 billion over the next six years — ranging from rural safety upgrades to game-changing mega projects that will speed commutes and fuel the engine of our economy.”
“This project follows through on the bipartisan infrastructure law’s promises of stronger physical infrastructure, improved safety, and responsible investments in our local communities,” said U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, whose congressional district contains crossings that will be improved. “By making our communities safer, we are ensuring that Virginia remains the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for recognizing the need for these investments in our Commonwealth — and I want to congratulate DRPT on this award.”
“The rural rail crossings are located along an important rail corridor and essential economic driver for Virginia,” said Jennifer DeBruhl, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “Making these investments today will allow Virginia to advance its ambitious rail goals while at the same time meeting community expectations for safety and reduced community impacts with the expansion of rail service.”
The crossings are located along the 123-mile Washington, D.C., to Richmond (DC2RVA) corridor that creates a vital connection between Virginia and the country’s national rail network, which will see passenger rail service double over the next decade with improvements along the CSX and Virginia Passenger Rail Authority-owned track. The DC2RVA improvements are part of the Commonwealth’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative to increase rail capacity and service.
Traffic and train volumes are expected to increase over the next two decades at the four crossings, making crossing improvements critical to enhancing safety of drivers and pedestrians at the crossings and improving reliability and travel times for freight and passenger rail service.
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included the creation of this new dedicated grant program aimed at addressing points where railroad tracks intersect with roads, which have led to blocked vehicle and pedestrian traffic and safety issues. This is the first round of grants under the five-year, $3 billion Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. In preparation of the opening for grant applications for the new program, DRPT conducted a statewide evaluation of existing rail crossings to prioritize potential projects.
DRPT will provide a $650,000 state match to the federal funds, and the localities where the railroad crossings are located will provide a total of $150,000 in additional matching funds. Construction is expected to take place in 2024.
Virginia spends approximately $4.7 million per year on highway-rail crossing improvements to enhance safety, transportation, and rail network fluidity. According to FRA’s inventory of at-grade crossings, there are approximately 3,200 railroad crossings in Virginia.
About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.
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