VRE releases facility condition report

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) last week released the results from a federally required facility condition assessment.

Conducted in summer 2017, the assessment covered 19 stations, three VRE-owned parking facilities, two administrative buildings, and two maintenance and storage facilities. The facilities were judged using the Federal Transit Administration's Transit Economic Requirements Model five-point scale.

VRE's Spotsylvania station — the railroad's newest stop — received the highest rating of "excellent" on the scale. Out of the remaining 25 facilities assessed, 22 were rated as "good." The three remaining facilities were declared "adequate," VRE officials said in a press release.

One of those facilities — the Lorton Station — was undergoing a platform extension project at the time of the assessment. The other two "adequate" facilities are scheduled to undergo similar improvements. The Lorton project has since been completed.

"We are proud of the ratings of our facilities and the recognition that we are keeping our assets in a state of good repair," said VRE Chief Executive Officer Doug Allen. "Keeping facilities like these in good condition is critical to our ability to operate safe and effective service."