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VRE presents concept for Manassas station improvements; says limited weekend service possible pending rail work
Summary
Virginia Railway Express described a concept to add fencing, a continuous platform and an extended southern platform at Manassas station to improve pedestrian access, accessibility and boarding. VRE staff also said limited Saturday service remains under study but depends on infrastructure work on CSX lines and agreed work windows.
Virginia Railway Express staff presented a concept to redesign parts of the Manassas station area to improve safety, accessibility and train boarding, and said limited Saturday service may be possible if planned freight-line improvements proceed.
The project concept presented to the Manassas City Council would create contained pedestrian routes between the City Hall parking lot and the station, install fencing along corridor sides, build a new sidewalk and close a current grade crossing by providing a contiguous platform across the station. The plan also would lengthen the south platform and add a small canopy and Amtrak-compatible lift to improve ADA access and allow more cars to be boarded, reducing dwell time.
VRE’s presenter said planners evaluated delivery and emergency-vehicle access for a proposed closure of Battle Street near the station, including a three-point-turn approach for large vehicles and an adjusted parking-lot circulation pattern that, as drawn, would preserve about two parking spaces. The presenter said the preferred schedule is environmental review and preliminary engineering through the end of the year (NEPA), final design in 2026 and potential construction from summer 2027 into 2029.
A city staff member noted the Railroad Trail study is evaluating a likely alignment for a longer walking/bike corridor; VRE staff said the station-side pedestrian improvements would be coordinated with that trail and could tie into Main Street and City Hall access.
On accessibility, VRE staff said moving or adding an Amtrak lift on the southern end and lengthening the platform would improve availability for riders who need step-free access. The presentation named variable-message signage and station announcements as the planned ways to communicate which track a train will use in any future double-platform arrangement.
Separately, a VRE representative said the agency has long-term rights in agreements with Norfolk Southern, CSX and the Commonwealth of Virginia that permit weekend service once major infrastructure improvements are completed. He said VRE and the region are exploring an initial Saturday service on both lines to complement existing Amtrak service, but that introduction depends on obtaining work windows on CSX to execute infrastructure projects. VRE staff said they do not want to start a service that would run only a short time and then be suspended during construction; they asked to return with updates in a few months.
Council members asked about integration with the proposed regional railroad trail, parking impacts, the implications of closing Battle Street for through-traffic and whether the concept was final. Council members stressed the need for traffic counts on Battle Street and urged continued coordination with the city. VRE staff characterized the station package as a concept and said more detailed engineering and public engagement would follow.
No vote or formal action was recorded at the session; staff said the next steps are environmental review, preliminary engineering and public engagement.
