VPRA Selects Construction Partner for Long Bridge Project – South Package (UPDATED 1/30)
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of VPRA
RICHMOND, Va. - The VPRA has selected Long Bridge Rail Partners, a joint venture of Trumbull Corp., Fay, S&B Construction, and Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc., for the Long Bridge Project - South Package.
As part of the project, the new Long Bridge will be placed between the existing Long Bridge and the WMATA Yellow Line bridge to relieve bottleneck traffic. The VPRA separated the Long Bridge Project into two procurements: a North Package and a South Package. In December 2023, the VPRA awarded the North Package to Skanska/Flatiron Joint Venture. The North Package covered an area of construction from the new bridge’s northern abutment to L’Enfant interlocking near L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C. The South Package includes constructing the Rosslyn Interlocking to the northern abutment of the New Long Bridge in East Potomac Park, and “will use the Design-Build method to build a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River, a bicycle/pedestrian bridge as well as all associated infrastructure between Arlington and Washington, D.C.,” according to the release from the VPRA.
Now, the Long Bridge Rail Partners team can move the project to the final design phase and incorporate alternative technical concepts. Construction is expected to finish in 2030. Additionally, the package includes the construction of new retaining walls and embankments to be built at the George Washington Parkway and a “new fender system within the Potomac River Navigation Channel.”
VPRA worked with CSX to expand service in Virginia with the VPRA purchasing the railroad right-of-way. Director of State Relations for Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C. at CSX, Randy Marcus, said, “The Long Bridge Project will unlock the bottleneck in this congested corridor and provide enhanced service for CSX customers, as well as VRE and Amtrak passengers. . . CSX’s collaboration with the Commonwealth continues to deliver economic and transportation benefits to businesses and commuters in Virginia and across the region.”
Amtrak has served as Virginia’s operation partner since the service began in 2009. It is contributing $944 million to the TRV program. Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang said, “We are happy with this significant development advancing the Long Bridge project to improve rail infrastructure in Virginia. . . We are proud to partner with VPRA on the continued growth of passenger rail for travel between the Northeast and Southeast regions.”
“The selection of Long Bridge Rail Partners completes the team that will build the largest of our Transforming Rail in Virginia projects, which will significantly change the way Virginians travel,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “Our efforts to provide Virginians with expanded passenger rail service would not be possible without the continued support of Governor Youngkin and Secretary of Transportation Miller. We thank them for their support in making our vision a reality.”
“Virginia’s investment in rail will benefit passengers as well as our freight partners up and down the east coast,” said Tiffany Robinson, Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Chair of the VPRA Board. “Long Bridge is vital to this expansion. We look forward to working with Long Bridge Rail Partners on this project which will reshape rail service in the Commonwealth.”
“The Long Bridge Rail Partners (Trumbull, Wagman, and Fay, S&B USA Construction) are excited to work with VPRA on such a challenging, transformative project for the Washington metropolitan area,” said Mark Gentile, President of Trumbull Corporation. “Together with designer STV, we offer extensive bridge, marine, and railway experience to design and build the best solution for VPRA and the region.”
*Update: 1/30 – STV Will Spearhead Design for the Long Bridge – South Package
STV was selected to lead the design for the South Package of the project. The report states STV is partnering with Trumbull, Fay, S&B USA Construction and Wagman to form the design-build team. They will oversee “comprehensive civil, structural, environmental and geotechnical engineering, along with signals, utilities and landscape architectural design.”
“By enhancing rail capacity and creating safer, more accessible options for bicyclists and pedestrians, the Long Bridge Project represents a forward-thinking investment in the region’s infrastructure, connectivity and economy,” said Fred Parkinson, PE, SE, DBIA, ENV SP, vice president and design manager at STV. “We’re honored to partner with VPRA on this transformative project that will alleviate rail congestion while also fostering stronger connections between communities in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.”
STV has partnered with VDOT on other projects such as the I-581 and Valley View Boulevard Interchange and the Richmond Pulse Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the VRE’s Quantico Station Expansion and Fredericksburg Station Rehabilitation. It also handled the preliminary design for VPRA’s New River Valley Project.
