Passenger Trains > VA: Amazon and Potomac Yard

Amazon selected Arlington VA as the location of a new HQ2 business. There was considerable discussion about mass transit access, etc and what it would mean for the WMATA Metro subway, VRE commuter rail, and Amtrak.  All three pass through parts of the sprawling site, almost adjacent to Reagan National Airport.

A preliminary design has been released, and it shows several new low rise and six story buildings on part of the Potomac Yard site, as well as access to the Pentagon Row Metro stop.  At this point, it doesn't show any access to VRE.  The marketing name for the sprawling complex is National Landing.  The "old" Potomac Yard is marked on the map

https://nationallanding.com/

An improved VRE station (island platfrom with access to Tracks 2 and 3) has been in the works for a long time. A variety of state and local funds are being tapped to move the project forward.

https://www.arlnow.com/2019/01/03/spurred-on-by-amazon-vre-looks-set-to-find-funding-for-new-crystal-city-station/

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Thanks for that info,, I hope they can secure funding.

(and it would be great if  MARC could run through to this station, too)

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Thanks for that info,, I hope they can secure
> funding.
>
> (and it would be great if  MARC could run through
> to this station, too)

It is a run through station with platforms on main line tracks. Where do you suppose they'd turn those alleged MARC trains at Crystal City?

Jishnu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Thanks for that info,, I hope they can secure
> > funding.
> >
> > (and it would be great if  MARC could run
> through
> > to this station, too)
>
> It is a run through station with platforms on main
> line tracks. Where do you suppose they'd turn
> those alleged MARC trains at Crystal City?

Perhaps in the station.  The engineer walks to the other end of the train, sets up, and off they go.

Are there any commitments to increase capacity crossing the Potomac River?

Bob Wilcox
Charlottesville, VA
My Flickr Shots

There's a slow-rolling study that's been going on since 2016, but no firm commitment to build anything, and no allocation of funds. The study is currently in the DEIS (draft environmental impact study) stage with three alternatives under study. They are: a new two-track bridge with retention/rehab of the current birdge, a new two-track bridge with subsequent replacement of the old bridge, and "no build."  

The District DOT is the primary agency, since most of the project will be in DC proper. Final EIS and Record of Decision is scheduled for Spring 2020.

http://longbridgeproject.com/project-schedule/

 

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for that info,, I hope they can secure
> funding.
>
> (and it would be great if  MARC could run through
> to this station, too)

Why would Maryland want to pay for train service that only benefits Virginia? 

DevalDragon Wrote:
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> Why would Maryland want to pay for train service
> that only benefits Virginia? 

If the train service allows someone to live in Maryland but work in Virginia, I think Maryland would benefit from property and income taxes.

ts1457 Wrote:
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> DevalDragon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why would Maryland want to pay for train
> service
> > that only benefits Virginia? 
>
> If the train service allows someone to live in
> Maryland but work in Virginia, I think Maryland
> would benefit from property and income taxes.




"Usually", residential properties are a net cost to cities/counties/states. Residential property taxes typically doesn't cover costs of services & utilities. Income tax is usually paid where it's earned.

Commercial and industrial properties generate more tax revenue than they use.

Usually.

"Usually" is key here. Virginia, DC, and Maryland have agreements in place where income is taxed according to your state of residence, not place of employment. Additionally, DC is prohibited via its charter from taxing non-resident income.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jishnu Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Thanks for that info,, I hope they can secure
> > > funding.
> > >
> > > (and it would be great if  MARC could run
> > through
> > > to this station, too)
> >
> > It is a run through station with platforms on
> main
> > line tracks. Where do you suppose they'd turn
> > those alleged MARC trains at Crystal City?
>
> Perhaps in the station.  The engineer walks to
> the other end of the train, sets up, and off they
> go.

On a through mainline with a bunch of traffic? Dream on! LOL.

And as we know setting up I-ETMS takes something like 10 minutes, which has caused sugnificant changes in scheduled turning times in the Chicago area.