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Service Information

Overview

Planned Service Disruption Friday, May 30, 2008 Will Affect Both Lines

Who?
You!  All passengers riding VRE on Friday, May 30 will be affected.

What Will Happen?

Manassas Line Riders - Click Here for More Information

Fredericksburg Line Riders - Click Here for More Information

Where Is the Signal Suspension?
The signal suspension will cover the area south of Alexandria where both lines meet to L’Enfant.  A third track is being added between the Potomac River Bridge and Alexandria.  With the exception of the Long Bridge over the Potomac, this will create a triple track railroad from L’Enfant to just south of Alexandria. 

When Is This Happening?
The signal suspension will occur after evening service on Thursday, May 29 and go through Sunday, June 1.  VRE Service will be affected the entire day of Friday, May 30.

Why Does This Need to Be Done?
CSX will perform a signal suspension to test the new signal system.  During this time, only one train at a time is permitted within a specific area, or “block”.  Before entering a “block,” trains must wait for dispatcher permission to move.  Once the previous train has exited the block, the next one can proceed.  This causes significant congestion, especially in an area where our trains operate within 10-15 minutes of each other. Rather than subject our riders to these significant delays, we opted for this change in service.

How About Changing it to the Weekend Before?
We know that Memorial Day Weekend would have been more ideal for our riders.  Unfortunately, it was determined that all of the necessary pieces would not be in place in time for the signal suspension to be moved up one weekend. 

Final Thoughts
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this planned disruption.  In conjunction with CSX and the Commonwealth of Virginia, VRE has been working towards increasing the capacity of the rails we operate on.  Over the last several years, this has included additional interlockings (places where trains can switch tracks), an additional bridge over Quantico Creek, and a third track in the area of our L’Enfant station.  With the completion of this project, another piece of the puzzle is being added.  We believe that these growing pains will be worthwhile.

 

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