Virginia rail department to host 'Rail Industry Day' for contractors

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will hold a Rail Industry Day on Jan. 24 to educate contractors about the recently announced rail improvement program with CSX and related upcoming procurements.

Attendance is open to all members of the contractor community with an interest in the rail improvement program, DRPT officials said in a notice.

Last month, CSX Corp. and Virginia officials reached a 10-year, $3.7 billion agreement that calls for expansion of passenger-rail service, construction of a new bridge over the Potomac River and the acquisition of more than 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of track.

The agreement aims to expand reliability and service on Virginia's rail lines, creating a pathway to separate passenger and freight operations between Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

The DRPT's Rail Industry Day event is free and will be held in Alexandria, Virginia. Participants should respond to drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov.

Companies are encouraged to send no more than five representatives to the event.