Project Profile: Franconia-Springfield Rail Bypass

The Franconia-Springfield Bypass is a critical grade-separation project designed to eliminate a major rail bottleneck in Northern Virginia. By constructing a 1.4 km elevated structure, the project separates passenger and freight traffic, directly enhancing service reliability and capacity on a congested corridor. This strategic infrastructure is a cornerstone of the “Transforming Rail in Virginia” (TRV) initiative, aiming to modernize the state’s rail network and provide a viable alternative to highway travel.

Technical Specifications

The core of the project is a 1.4 km elevated viaduct engineered to carry passenger rail traffic. The structure employs a multi-span bridge design utilizing steel girders and a concrete deck to support a single track, with passive provisions built in for the future addition of a second track. This future-proofs the corridor for increased capacity demands. The elevated section reaches a maximum height of 11.16 meters to provide clearance over the existing CSX freight lines. Transitioning from the elevated structure to ground level, the design incorporates reinforced earth embankments stabilized by retaining walls. The project necessitates the strategic relocation of existing tracks to accommodate the new bypass alignment, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations while maximizing the efficiency of the new grade-separated corridor.

Key Takeaways

• Bottleneck Elimination: By physically separating passenger and freight rail traffic, the bypass resolves a chronic point of conflict, drastically improving on-time performance for VRE commuter and Amtrak services.
• Strategic Network Enhancement: The project is a vital component of the “Transforming Rail in Virginia” initiative, increasing the overall capacity and fluidity of the entire Washington, D.C. to Richmond rail corridor.
• Highway Congestion Mitigation: By improving the speed and reliability of rail travel, the bypass provides a more competitive alternative to the I-95/I-395/US 1 highway corridor, encouraging a modal shift from road to rail.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Franconia-Springfield Bypass open?

The Franconia-Springfield Bypass is currently under construction and is expected to be completed and operational in 2027, according to the official project schedule.

Who is building the Franconia-Springfield Bypass?

The project is being delivered using a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) model by a joint venture between Flatiron and Herzog, with design and management support from Endesco and Caliber Consulting Group.