Virginia Avenue Tunnel
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| System | CSX Transportation |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1872 |
| Owner | CSX Transportation |
| Operator | CSX Transportation |
| Traffic | Train |
| Character | Freight |
| Technical | |
| Length | 3,788 feet (1,155 m) |
| No. of tracks | Single track |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge |
| Operating speed | 25 mph |
| Tunnel clearance | 18.67 feet (5.69 m) |
| Width | 28 feet (8.5 m) |
The Virginia Avenue Tunnel is a railroad tunnel in Washington, D.C. owned by CSX Transportation. It is part of the CSX RF&P Subdivision and serves freight trains along the eastern seaboard routes, providing a bypass around Union Station.
The single-track tunnel is located under Virginia Avenue SE, from 15th and M Streets SE to 2nd St. and Virginia Avenue SE. The eastern portal connects to the Anacostia Railroad Bridge and the CSX Capital Subdivision. At the western end the RF&P Sub runs to the Long Bridge into Virginia.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The tunnel was constructed in 1872 by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad (B&P), later controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad. It originally served the B&P station on the present-day site of the National Gallery of Art, on the National Mall at 6th & B Street NW (today's Constitution Avenue). The tunnel was built using the cut and cover method. It was constructed of ashlar stone for the sidewalls, and brick and stone for the arches. In 1904 the tunnel was extended to its present length due to a track relocation.[1]
Initially the tunnel served both freight and passenger service until Union Station's opening in 1908, and since that time it has been freight-only.[2]
[edit] Planned modifications
In 2008 CSX proposed to modify or replace the tunnel to provide room for a second track and sufficient height to allow use of double-stack freight cars and autoracks. CSX sought government funding in a public-private partnership as part of its National Gateway initiative.[3][4] In 2011 CSX announced that it would fund the tunnel project itself.[5]
[edit] See also
- First Street Tunnel (Washington, D.C.)
[edit] References
- ^ a b U.S. Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC and Maryland Department of Transportation, Baltimore, MD (2011). "Baltimore's Railroad Network: Analysis and Recommendations." January 2011. pp. 11-1, 11-2.
- ^ National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C. Chapter. "Washington Railroad History Timeline" at #14.
- ^ CSX Corporation, Jacksonville, FL (2008). "CSX Announces National Gateway to Improve Flow of Freight." 2008-05-01.
- ^ Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC (2009). "CSX National Gateway Projects in the Washington Region." Accessed 2009-12-05.
- ^ CSX (2011-05-18). "CSX Commits Additional $160 Million to National Gateway." Press release.
- Wright, William (2006). "Chapter 1: Railroading Washington." History of Union Station. Unpublished manuscript.
[edit] External links
- Heavy Rail Track and Structures in Washington DC - BelowTheCapital.org
Coordinates: 38°52′39″N 76°59′28″W / 38.877399°N 76.9911°W
