Skanska, a global construction and development firm, and FlatironDragados, an infrastructure company, were awarded a $1 billion contract by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to build the Long Bridge North Project.
The one-mile project will link the East Potomac Park to Washington D.C.’s L’Enfant Interlocking and is the first part of a major two-phase construction initiative that will expand freight and passenger rail service in the city, as well as integrate local, regional and national transportation networks. The Long Bridge North Project is also part of the larger 1.8-mile Long Bridge Project that will replace and enhance the rail corridor from Washington, D.C. into Arlington, VA. That project will replace the aging two track system with a series of linked, four-track modern rail bridges and corridors.
“Skanska is proud to be leading the construction team and work for the Long Bridge North Project, which will vastly improve freight and passenger rail service in the Capital Region,” said Michael Viggiano, executive vice president, Skanska USA Civil. “With funding in place and planning and approvals now complete, this highly complex and critical infrastructure project is shovel ready.”
Officials said the Long Bridge North Project’s refurbished eastern tracks that currently serve freight and passenger traffic will primarily serve CSX Transportation, Inc. freight rail. And the newly built western tracks will cater to passenger services provided by Amtrak Virginia, Amtrak’s long-distance service and Virginia Railway Express.
Construction is set to begin in July 2025 and is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2030.