The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has agreed to bestow $8 million in additional funding to support Virginia Railway Express’s plans to construct a new Crystal City station.
The project was included as part of the commission’s fiscal 2025-26 “I-66 Commuter Choice” program, funded by tolling on Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway. It is the second installment of Commuter Choice funding for the project; about $10.8 million was awarded through the fiscal 2024-25 program, using funding from tolling on Interstate 95/395.
Virginia Railway Express plans to move its operation in Crystal City to a spot several hundred yards from the current location. The new station will include a platform with two tracks, compared to the single-track current station.
That, in turn, would allow the station to be used for Amtrak service in addition to VRE service. Should VRE ever opt to provide two-way service during rush hour, the new station could accommodate that, as well.
(Currently, VRE service is one-way only: From the outer suburbs to Alexandria, Arlington and the District of Columbia in the morning, reversing the process in the afternoon.)
The project also includes plans for a pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting the new station to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All components currently are in the review stage.
