The FlatironDragados-Herzog joint venture has secured a $414 million contract from the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) to build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass—a critical rail infrastructure project aimed at improving passenger and freight movement between Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C.
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Key Highlights of Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project:
- Client: Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA)
- Contractors: FlatironDragados and Herzog (Joint Venture)
- Contract Value: $414 million
- Project: Franconia-Springfield Bypass
- Length: 1.4 miles total; includes 0.6-mile rail flyover bridge
- Location: Between Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C.
- Purpose: Reduce congestion, improve safety, increase rail capacity
- Construction Start: July 2025
- Completion Target: 2029
- Collaborating Agencies: CSXT, Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express
The project involves building 1.4 miles of new passenger railroad track, including a 0.6-mile-long rail flyover bridge that will bypass existing CSX freight tracks, easing one of Virginia’s most congested rail corridors.
Construction is set to begin in July 2025, with completion expected in 2029. Once operational, the bypass will:
- Separate freight and passenger train movements, improving safety
- Reduce train interference and delays
- Enhance capacity and reliability for regional rail services
The joint venture brings together FlatironDragados and Herzog’s extensive rail construction experience across North America. The team will coordinate closely with CSXT, Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, and other key stakeholders.
“This project will provide safer, more efficient rail service by reducing congestion and improving reliability,” said Jim Schneiderman, Executive VP at FlatironDragados. Herzog’s Executive VP Scott Norman added, “We look forward to delivering this project on time and on budget.”
This award further expands FlatironDragados’ presence in the Virginia-D.C.-Maryland corridor, complementing ongoing major projects including:
- Long Bridge North ($1B) with Skanska
- Susquehanna River Bridge (Amtrak) with Herzog
- I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension ($421M)
- Hampton Roads Bridge & Tunnel Expansion ($4.3B)
- Dulles International Airport Airfield Improvements
The Franconia-Springfield Bypass project stands as another strategic step toward modernizing rail infrastructure and supporting future growth in passenger rail service across the region.
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