(The following article by Chip Jones was posted on the Richmond Times-Dispatch website on October 7.)
RICHMOND, Va. — The 100-mile railroad between Richmond and Washington will get a $65.7 million makeover now that its owner has agreed to get the project going.
CSX Corp., the Florida-based freight railroad, signed a construction agreement yesterday with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation that uses state rail funds to make long-needed improvements for a smoother and more predictable passenger rail network along the Interstate 95 corridor.
While most of the work is north of Richmond, CSX officials said the agreement could spark other upgrades between the suburban Amtrak station on Staples Mill Road and Main Street Station downtown.
Gov. Mark R. Warner also received a conciliatory note from the railroad’s top executive, after months of often-tense negotiations between CSX and Virginia officials.
“I want to stress that despite the frustration about the length of time it has taken to complete the many steps needed to get to this point, we have negotiated in good faith throughout the process,” wrote Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive of Jacksonsville, Fla.-based CSX.
Ward noted that “this agreement was the first of its kind for CSX, and many of the terms and conditions have set precedent that should make our business dealings easier in the future.”
He defended the company from recent criticism by Warner’s top rail official over CSX’s seeming reluctance to spend $65.7 million approved by the 2000 General Assembly.
The state appropriation was meant to improve the rail system and make it easier for Amtrak passenger trains to run between the capital cities.
Warner’s rail chief, Karen J. Rae, recently complained that CSX was dragging its feet on the project.
But Ward said he hopes to fos- ter a better relationship with Virginia. Until last year, CSX had its corporate headquarters in Richmond.
“I can assure you that CSX is committed to learning from this experience and will work together with you to improve the process from both sides,” he wrote. Ward asked to meet with Warner “to establish a common set of expectations and set the tone for our relationship.”
After they meet, Ward said, he wants senior CSX representatives to have “more in-depth discussions” with Virginia rail and public transportation officials. “I sincerely hope this gives you a clear signal that we are committed to strengthening the positive and productive relationship that has existed between CSX and the Commonwealth for many years.”
Rae called the agreement a “huge step forward” for Virginia’s rail interests.
The state allocation will pay for six projects in the next few years that will add to CSX’s track capacity. The improvements should give the railroad more places to move freight trains when passenger trains need to pass by on the main line.
Rae said she hopes this results in more reliable service for passenger trains operated by Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express in Northern Virginia.
Asked whether the state is now on track with the railroad, Rae said, “I think so. I think we got their attention and I think we’ve gotten their commitment.”
But she added, “I still want the shovel in the ground” to start the work.
The first project could begin in mid-November in Stafford County, where $5.5 million has been earmarked to build a connection between two tracks, and new signals are to be installed between Quantico and Fredericksburg.