Residents of Potomac Shores could have a new method of transportation in the next couple of years.
The design of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train station that will be constructed in the 1,920-acre locality will be moving forward, according to a release.
The Virginia Department of Rail Public Transportation (DRPT) and CSX Transportation (CSX) have signed an agreement that defines what parts “of the third-track corridor improvements” can immediately be finished.
“The signing of the agreement to identify improvements to be completed in the near future, and the interim condition for the corridor until additional funding becomes available, will allow the Potomac Shores station to move forward; we’re very elated.” Potomac Shores Project Manager Andrew Wagner said in a release. “This new station will be a huge convenience for residents, allowing them to commute to jobs in Washington and elsewhere, and the station will be easily accessed from our future town center.”
SunCal, a California-based real estate development company that is working to expand the community, is sponsoring the station’s construction.
Potomac Shores is providing $20 million for the VRE station and is partnering with various organizations.
The VRE station is expected to open to passengers in 2020, with construction on the 16,000-square-foot head house moving later this year.
The two-story head house will act as the entrance to the station’s boarding platforms. Restaurants, a coffee shop and a view of the Potomac River will be a few of the head house’s features.
Most of the site has already been cleared at graded.
Officials from Potomac Shores have been working with VRE, CSX, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County and the U.S. Department of Transportation to design and build the station.
Its design and construction has been coordinated with the Arkendale to Powells Creek Third Track project.
For the project, CSX has been building a third set of tracks that run from the Arkendale station to Powells Creek. The tracks will serve beside the existing CSX tracks.
