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The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $74.8 million to the commonwealth of Virginia to continue advancing the Southeast High-Speed Rail (SEHSR) corridor.

The funds will be used to build 11 miles of third track and make related improvements from Arkendale to Powell's Creek, enabling higher-speed trains to travel on the segment separate from freight and commuter trains. The project also includes final design and improvements for the station at Quantico Marine Base.

On a daily basis, between 40 and 50 freight trains, 14 Virginia Railway Express trains and 10 Amtrak trains operate along the corridor.

Once completed, the SEHSR corridor will feature at least eight trains traveling at speeds up to 110 mph between Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. Travel time between the two cities will be reduced by up to three hours and travel time between Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C., will be cut by 35 minutes.