Richmond-Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project

The Richmond-Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project proposes passenger rail service improvements between Richmond, VA and the Hampton Roads region.

In August 2012, FRA and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation published a Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which identified the Preferred Alternative. The Preferred Alternative provides for an increase in the daily round trips at maximum average speeds of 79 mph on the current Amtrak Regional route from Richmond to Newport News, and new higher speed passenger rail service along the South side of the James River operating at maximum average speeds of 90 mph between Richmond, Petersburg, and Downtown Norfolk. Use of the existing Richmond Main Street Station, Williamsburg Station, and Newport News Station along the Peninsula/CSXT route, and stations in the Petersburg area, Bowers Hill, and Norfolk along the Southside/NS route is assumed. Comments on the Final EIS were accepted for 30 days.

On December 7, 2012, based on the information presented in the Final EIS, the FRA issued a Record of Decision for this project.  

• Tier I EIS Record of Decision
• DRPT Project Website – Final Tier I EIS