In 2024, ESI was contracted by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to assist in its application for funding through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to substantially improve and expand the existing Virginia Railway Express Crystal City Station to accommodate new Amtrak service. The project would add a new platform to the station for Amtrak services, reconfigure tracks to allow for improved rail movement, and the construction of a pedestrian overpass. The new Amtrak station will also include several amenities such as handicapped accessible ramps, lighting, passenger ticketing, safety components, and canopy and weather protection.
ESI’s analysis included a benefit-cost analysis and an equity analysis. The benefit-cost analysis identifies and quantifies the economic and social benefits generated by the construction of the new Amtrak service platform, such as safety improvements, travel time savings, pollution reductions, and other benefits. These benefits are monetized following guidance from the U.S. DOT and compared to the development and ongoing costs associated with the project.
This project has acutely high synergy with the other planned improvements at the station and in the surrounding area. The reconfiguration of tracks through the area will allow for safe, ADA compliant access for both Amtrak and VRE, while allowing the movement of CSX freight traffic to continue unimpeded. Further, the completion of the pedestrian overpass will expand Amtrak accessibility and connect Amtrak to further networks of multimodal travel. The concurrent development of this project with planned projects will provide a level of savings associated with Flagging Costs, Project/Construction Management cost and Health, Safety, Environmental and Futureproofing technology. Further, it will avoid disruptions to the movement of both people and freight, and avoid excess operating costs to Amtrak, VRE, and CSX. The proposed Amtrak station would also connect to safe pedestrian infrastructure. These improvements would create a safer experience for vehicles and pedestrians, further improving accessibility and navigability in the area.
This project will improve System Service Performance, Reliable and Competitive Safety, Transit Times, Reliability, the ability to meet demand, and improve integration with up-to-date technical systems. The planned improvement will provide numerous benefits to rail operations specifically and society in general. The project will: speed travel and reduce uncertainty for rail passengers, reduce the need for vehicle miles traveled by residents and workers who will choose public transportation over automobile travel, increase competitiveness to the region for passenger rail operators, and avoid passenger and freight rail cost and inefficiencies.
ESI performed a benefit-cost analysis to quantify the economic value of the planned improvements, as well as a brief memo detailing findings from this effort.
