The proposed VRE extension to Gainesville and Haymarket is dead (Manassas: costs, trains)

[Joke Insurance]

Source: http://potomaclocal.com/2016/12/11/v...inesville-dead

[Joke Insurance]

At least we'll be getting midday service.... hopefully.

[Joke Insurance]

I emailed Suhas Naddoni, who is a Councilmember of the City of Manassas Park and a VRE board member. I was told this:

****

Hello,

The proposed extension is not cancelled, however at this point its up in the air.

VRE recommended that Broad Run Terminus (relocating the existing Broad Run station a short distance east) as a cost effective alternative to extending the line to Gainesville-Haymarket. However, one of the sites that was being considered for relocation is no longer available.

Meanwhile, Prince William County Board of Supervisors are still considering if and how to pursue the Gainesville-Haymarket extension and fund the project.

I have attached some documents from the VRE Operations Board meeting for you | http://www.vre.org/about/board/board...1616final-pdf/ and http://www.vre.org/about/board/board...ate-jan17-pdf/

Regards,

Suhas Naddoni
Councilmember, City of Manassas Park

[Joke Insurance]

And have any of you seen this image before? It shows how many trains could be used depending on what option they choose or have chosen:



Source: Community Meeting #2 | VA Railway Express

[Joke Insurance]

I also emailed Marty Nohe, who is a district supervisor for the Coles District in Prince William County and a VRE board member. I was told this by him:

****

Thank you for this question. I have attached below a link to an article for which I was interviewed with a different news site that gives a little more information about VRE, and the Board's efforts to expand service on the western line.

While the idea of extending a new line to Haymarket has not been completely eliminated, I think that it is fair to say that it is not likely to happen in the foreseeable future.* The recent "phase 1" study that VRE just completed looked at a number of options to expand VRE service along the Manassas line, including a full extension to Haymarket. In the end, it became clear that the cost both of constructing the additional infrastructure needed for a Haymarket extension, as well as the ongoing costs of maintaining and operating a line to Haymarket, are simply cost-prohibitive.*Therefore, the Board has been focusing in on the options of extending service along a shorter line to Gainesville, stopping a few miles short of Haymarket, or of expanding the existing railyard and station at Broad Run to add more capacity to the existing facilities. Both will increase total ridership and provide more service, but at a much lower cost than extending all the way to Haymarket.* I suspect that the VRE Board will make a decision at the March 17 meeting to proceed with one of those options for further "phase 2" studies.

I hope that this feedback is helpful.*If you have any questions, or if my office can assist you in any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Yours-
Marty Nohe

Not dead yet: VRE to Gainesville still an option | News | fauquier.com

Martin E Nohe
Coles District Supervisor