(The Associated Press circulated the following article on August 29.)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The delays aren’t over for commuters on Virginia Railway Express between the Potomac River and Fredericksburg.
Starting Monday, the freight railroad CSX will begin major track work on 71 miles of its right of way. That means VRE riders could face delays of 30 minutes during morning commutes.
CSX is replacing one in three of its rail ties on tracks used by the commuter line. The work is expected to affect early trains on both the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines. Crews are expected to work Sunday through Wednesday nights from 7 pm until 5 am through November.
About 86,000 rail ties will be replaced in two phases. VRE will be offering its Metro option Monday through Thursday mornings over the next three weeks. That will allow riders to switch from VRE to Metrorail at Alexandria or Franconia-Springfield to avoid delays.