VRE Hopes to Expand Service From Manassas

The need for another mass transportation option in the western end of Prince William County is obvious, rail officials said, and that option is on the horizon as they plan to expand the Virginia Railway Express.

VRE, which wrapped up its year-long feasibility study on the project last week, wants to create a branch of service that would expand 11 miles out from the Manassas station on Norfolk Southern's B line.

The expansion has the potential to take up to 5,000 cars off the road and alleviate some of the bottlenecks in an area where residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, have the longest commute in the country.

"I'm in favor of this and a supporter of VRE," said Haymarket resident Pete Winer, who rode VRE for five years when he commuted from Fairfax County to Crystal City for work. "I bought myself an hour of relaxation and reading when I road the train."

The project, which could cost as much as $244 million, would add a track to the B line within the existing right-of-way and up to three stations near Sudley Innovation Center, Nissan Pavilion and Interstate 66 and Route 15. VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said developers are offering proffers to create stations and parking lots at two of the proposed train stops.

"I want this to run not only to Haymarket but out to the Shenandoah Valley," Haymarket resident Francis Gaegler said Tuesday at VRE's final public input meeting on the proposal. "Right now, 66 is failing during peak rush hour, and anything you can do to relieve that is good."

Although ticket prices have not been discussed for the proposed line, which is seven to 10 years from being built, Roeber said, commuters getting on in Gainesville would pay about $220 a month. For those in Haymarket, the price would be about $17 more.

The number of trains that would operate on the line is unclear. Because of capacity constraints, VRE could not make more than 20 trips a day on the Manassas line. The rail company is at 16 trips.

"We are working with VRE and support this [commuter rail expansion] as long as there is sufficient capacity to handle freight trains as well," Norfolk Southern Spokesman Robin Chapman said. "Freight trains are more flexible than commuter trains, but we need to make sure . . . neither get delayed."

Although many residents support the expansion, VRE officials have been met with opposition from Haymarket area residents. Although they support service to Gainesville, some said they don't want trains running, literally, through their back yard.

"My home backs up to the tracks, so if they put a second set of tracks in, it will encroach on my property," Haymarket resident Pat Carney said. "I've taken VRE, and it won't bring any value into Haymarket because people will just come in to ride and leave. I think it will have a terrible impact on our little town."

VRE Planning Manager Christine Hoeffner said the initial push is to get the service to Gainesville. Depending on funding and feedback, it could end up stopping there, shaving about $20 million from the projected cost.

Haymarket Town Council member Robert B. Weir said the council adopted a resolution last week that reiterates members' stance on the proposed project. Haymarket residents say they fear a station in their town will bring more traffic to their congested roads. It will also, Weir said, encourage town center developments, something his constituents don't want.

Others, however, disagree.

"Bringing it to Haymarket makes sense because it will catch all the commuters that come from Shenandoah," Winer said. "If you stop at Gainesville, I think parking will become an issue."

Prince William County Supervisor W.S. Covington III (R-Brentsville) said that the service needs to extend beyond Gainesville but that he prefers it go to Dulles International Airport instead of Haymarket.

"You need to do one or the other, just because I think there would be too much stress on roads in order to get to Gainesville over time," said Covington, who also sits on the VRE operations board.

Although VRE is moving forward on an expansion project that has been discussed for six years, several issues need to be addressed.

One in particular: funding.

Because stimulus money is for "shovel-ready" projects, VRE officials said they can't count on any to help cover the project's hefty price tag. Instead, VRE will have to tap into the state's Rail Enhancement Fund or other federal funding opportunities. Other ideas include getting more support from local jurisdictions or private sectors.

The other issue is updating existing roadways. The interchange work at I-66 in Gainesville and a project in Manassas need to be completed before the train service can move forward.

Manassas is waiting for the state to fund a $45 million railroad overpass at Wellington Road and Route 28. Manassas City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes said without the overpass, the increased freight and passenger rail traffic would cause major delays on local roads.

VRE officials said they must also complete a full environmental study, as required by the Federal Transit Administration, before they can move forward with the project.