FTA 09-05
Contact: Paul Griffo
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
paul.griffo@fta.dot.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation Grant for Two VRE Parking Structures Will Improve Commute From Northern Virginia

Northern Virginians traveling to Washington, D.C. will have a smoother commute because of a $3 million federal grant for expanded parking at two commuter rail stations, Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn said today.

The grant, awarded to the Potomac & Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), will fund the planned addition of more than 1,400 parking spaces to Virginia Railway Express commuter rail stations in Manassas and Burke.

“VRE is a lifeline for Northern Virginia residents who work in the greater Washington, D.C. area, or who want to come into town to sightsee with their families,” said FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn. “Increased parking will allow people to enjoy a hassle-free train ride into the nation’s capital.”

PRTC will use $2 million from the grant to build a new multi-level parking garage at VRE’s Old Town Manassas station. The station is at 120 percent capacity with only 337 surface parking spaces available to VRE riders. The new facility, which is targeted for completion in October 2006, will offer 328 new parking spaces, as daily ridership over the next eight years is expected to double from 890 to 1,780.

“All of us in Northern Virginia know the headache and inconvenience of being stuck in traffic, so I'm pleased that the federal government is announcing these additional funds for transit in the area,” said Representative Tom Davis (VA-11th). “Any federal contribution toward promoting mass transit and easing gridlock in our region is a welcome one.”

“I am pleased to announce with the Department of Transportation federal grants to support public transportation improvements which serve thousands of commuters every day,” said Representative Jo Ann Davis (VA-1st). “Improved funding for safe and reliable transportation is important for this rapidly growing region, just outside our nation's capital,” added Davis.

The remaining $1 million will pay for engineering, design and environmental work needed to increase parking for customers of the VRE Burke Center station. Currently, the station is 21 percent over its maximum capacity, with 614 parking spaces available. With a new multi-level parking garage planned for completion in December 2007, the station will have 1,100 additional parking spaces to serve the 1,536 daily commuters expected to use the station by 2013.

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