The project area generally follows the Richmond to Hampton Roads Corridor and includes two routes, the existing Amtrak route from Richmond to Williamsburg to Newport News via the CSXT alignment and another route south of the James River along the Norfolk Southern (NS) alignment between Petersburg and Norfolk.

The project is currently focusing on five alternatives: the No Action Alternative, the Status Quo Alternative, Build Alternative 1, Build Alternative 2a, and Build Alternative 2b.  More details and a map are provided below.

Status Quo Alternative
This alternative shows what would happen if no major improvements are made—service would remain exactly as it is today. This alternative includes two daily round trips on the Peninsula only. Trains would continue to operate at a maximum of 79 mph between Newport News and Richmond. The two trains represent Amtrak’s existing train service. Amtrak serves the Newport News Amtrak Station, Williamsburg Station and Richmond Main Street Station.

No-Action Alternative
This alternative shows what would happen if no major improvements are made beyond what is included in the existing regional transportation plans. It includes three daily round trips on the Peninsula only. Trains would continue to operate at a maximum of 79 mph between Newport News and Richmond. The three trains represent Amtrak’s two existing trains plus one additional daily round trip planned by Amtrak in the future. Trains would serve the Newport News Amtrak Station, Williamsburg Station and Richmond Main Street Station.

Alternative 1
Serves both the Peninsula and the Southside, with three daily round trips on the Peninsula and six daily round trips on the Southside. The Peninsula service would remain the same as in the No-Action Alternative, with three 79 mph maximum speed daily round trips between Newport News and Richmond serving the Newport News Amtrak Station, Williamsburg Station and Richmond Main Street Station. The Southside service would include six daily round trips operating at speeds of 90 mph or 110 mph between Downtown Norfolk, Chesapeake (Bower’s Hill Station), Petersburg and Richmond Main Street Station.

Alternative 2a
Serves both the Peninsula and the Southside, with six daily round trips on the Peninsula and three daily round trips on the Southside. The Peninsula service would include six daily round trips operating at maximum speeds of 90 mph or 110 mph. This alternative would serve the proposed Newport News Downtown Station rather than the existing Newport News Amtrak Station. The Peninsula trains continue to provide service to Newport News, Williamsburg and Richmond Main Street Station. The Southside route of Norfolk, Bower’s Hill, Petersburg and Richmond Main Street Station would be served by three 79 mph daily round trips.

Alternative 2b
Serves the Peninsula only, with nine daily round trips.  Trains would operate at maximum speeds of 90 mph or 110 mph, providing service to the proposed Newport News Downtown Station rather than the existing Newport News Amtrak Station. Trains would continue to provide service to Williamsburg and Richmond Main Street Station.

Project Area Map
The project area generally follows the Richmond–Petersburg–South Hampton Roads route (Southside) and the existing Amtrak route from Richmond–Williamsburg to Newport News (Peninsula). This rail service would help manage traffic congestion between Richmond and Hampton Roads while providing an attractive and competitive new transportation choice, including a connection to the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. The map below depicts the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project area and the two alternatives under consideration. 

Map of Preliminary Alignment Alternatives
Click here to view an enlarged map.