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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently issued a Record of Decision for the Richmond-to-Hampton Roads passenger-rail study, marking the completion of the Tier 1 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has completed a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement that outlines alternatives to improve rail service between Richmond and Hampton Roads. DRPT has proposed increasing passenger-rail train speeds up to 79 mph along the existing Virginia Peninsula intercity passenger-rail route from Newport News to Richmond, and operating trains at speeds up to 90 mph on the Southside route from Norfolk to Richmond, generally following U.S. Route 460 south of the James River.

Now, DRPT and FRA can begin the Tier 2 NEPA process, which includes developing, evaluating and recommending specific improvements within the corridor.