As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) advances the L'Enfant Station and Fourth Track Improvements Project, VHB and the agency recently welcomed project stakeholders and community members to an open house, offering a firsthand look at the project’s preliminary engineering design.
VHB led public engagement at the event that invited riders, residents, workers, property owners, and other stakeholders to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback on the latest developments.
This critical infrastructure project aims to increase rail capacity, enhance station accessibility, and reduce congestion on a heavily used rail corridor. It will also help mitigate conflicts between passenger and freight rail services, accommodate longer VRE trains, reduce platform crowding, and allow two trains to operate in each direction simultaneously. An integrated team of VHB transit planners and engineers are helping VRE with the preliminary engineering and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase developing the track and station designs and documenting environmental and historic resources. The multidisciplinary team has also supported VRE with survey/utility locating, geotech, track layouts, agency and stakeholder coordination, and construction sequencing, as well as overall project management.
During the open house, attendees explored project renderings and detailed boards illustrating important project elements—from station entrances to the NEPA process—providing a transparent view of how the station, bridge, and track improvements are taking shape. VHB led attendees in one-on-one conversations about the project, with participants leaving sticky notes pinned to boards to express their enthusiasm for enhancements, such as the proposed island platform with elevator access and improved lighting.
“The strong interest at the open house and valuable feedback we received reflect how important these improvements are to riders and the broader community,” said Mark Colgan, PE, DBIA, VHB Project Manager. “These enhancements will make rail a more flexible and convenient option, and we’re excited to see this project take shape with direct input from those who will benefit the most.”
Public engagement will continue during the remainder of the preliminary engineering/NEPA process and into final design, which is expected to begin during the second half of 2025.
Learn more about the VRE project, or email comments, questions, and ideas to VRE’s Project Manager, Dagmawie Shikurye.
