Alexandria Station & Bridge Improvements

This project involves reconstructing the existing platforms and constructing new elevators at Alexandria Station (110 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA). The project also included replacing the railroad bridges over King Street and Commonwealth Avenue. The goal is to enhance safety, improve ADA accessibility, improve boarding times, and reduce future maintenance.

• Reconstruction of Alexandria station platforms

• Construction of new ADA-compliant elevators

• Replacement of the existing pedestrian tunnel and stairs serving the center platform

• Removal of the existing pedestrian at-grade crossing to improve safety

• Replacement of railroad bridges over King Street and Commonwealth Avenue

The project is being managed by Virginia Railway Express (VRE). CSXT is separately progressing the Alexandria 4^th Track project, which extends through the station. These two projects are distinct, but closely coordinated.

The contractor must achieve substantial completion within 756 consecutive calendar days from the Notice-To-Proceed (NTP), issued December 2025. 

As the project has evolved over time, so has its funding:

• Rail Crossing and Rail Safety funds ($9.3 million): A key goal of the project is the elimination of the at-grade pedestrian crossing between the main (west) platform and the island (east) platform at the Alexandria Station. VRE was originally awarded Rail Crossing and Rail Safety funds through the Federal Highway Administration’s Section 130 program to address this critical safety issue. These funds are now being managed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• Commonwealth of Virginia's SMARTSCALE program ($21.9 million): In addition to providing a safe and ADA-compliant route between the platforms via new elevators and a replaced pedestrian tunnel, VRE is also lengthening the platforms and raising them so passengers will no longer need step-boxes to get onto the trains. Highlighting these capacity and accessibility improvements, VRE included the Alexandria Station project in a broader expansion program – which includes new railcars, yard improvements, and improvements to other stations -- funded through Virginia's SMARTSCALE program.
• FTA formula funds, plus state and local matches ($13.2 million): Following the COVID-19 pandemic, as prices of steel and other key construction materials increased substantially, the cost estimate for the station improvements project also increased. VRE has been able to program a portion of the FTA formula funds that it receives each year to fill this funding gap. As with most federal funds, a non-federal match is required, which VRE is able to provide from state mass transit funds and the local jurisdictions’ contributions.
• Virginia Passenger Rail Authority ($91.4 million): VRE has also been working in close coordination with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) on the King Street and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement (“K&C Bridges”) project, which is immediately north of and adjacent to the Alexandria Station. VPRA is funding the K&C Bridges, but given the limited geography and physical integration of the two projects, VRE has agreed to jointly manage and deliver the station improvements and the bridge replacements. Thus, the final and largest overall funding source for the combined project is VPRA, through the Commonwealth Rail Fund.

VRE has initiated the site/building permit process with the City of Alexandria. The contractor is responsible for completing all permit requirements and inspections. 

Yes, the contractor is required to comply with the City’s requirements for Maintenance of Traffic Permits. More info can be found here.

The City of Alexandria permits the following work hours:

• General work: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday
• Noise-generating activities: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon–Fri), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sat)
• Pile driving: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon–Fri), 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat)
• No work is permitted on Sundays or City-observed holidays without special approval.

If work outside these hours is necessary, the contractor must submit a Noise Mitigation Plan, and a Noise Variance Permit is required. Requests for noise variances must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the proposed work, and the City typically reviews and approves within five business days.

For detailed guidance, refer to:

• City of Alexandria Construction Noise Control 
• Noise Variance Permit Guidelines 

• All personnel must have Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) training
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required
• Safety and security plans must be submitted and approved before work begins
• Compliance with VRE, CSXT, and City of Alexandria safety rules is mandatory

Contractors must comply with City of Alexandria noise ordinances and prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) permit application.

Yes. Coordination is required with Kinder Morgan (pipeline relocation), WMATA (Metro), and CSXT 4^th track project (railroad operations).

The project will provide ADA-compliant elevators and modernize the pedestrian tunnel, eliminating the need for at-grade track crossings and improving platform access for all users.

A 48-inch platform—the height required for level boarding—is not compatible with freight operations, and this shared use corridor includes active freight service. Alternatives configurations for tracks and platforms were evaluated, and determined to be infeasible.

The U.S. Department of Transportation identifies car-borne lifts as the preferred alternative when level boarding is not feasible. Each VRE railcar has a car-borne lift, allowing for timely ADA-compliant boarding at every door, ensuring accessibility for all passengers.

Email: [email protected]

Mailing address:

Virginia Railway Express
1500 King Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314

All project updates will be posted on VRE’s projects and studies page.