A joint venture between FlatironDragados and Skanska has been awarded a $1 billion contract by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to construct the Long Bridge North railway bridge in Washington, DC. The 1.6km, four-track bridge will replace an existing two-track structure spanning the Potomac River, connecting Virginia to the capital.

Render of Washington DC’s Long Bridge North courtesy of Skanska

The new bridge will allocate two eastern tracks to freight operator CSX and two western tracks to Amtrak for local and long-distance passenger services. This project is part of a broader initiative to upgrade the busy rail corridor from East Potomac Park to Washington, DC’s L’Enfant area, transitioning from two-track to four-track bridges to enhance rail traffic efficiency.

Michael Viggiano, Skanska USA Civil’s Executive Vice President, stated: “With funding in place and planning and approvals now complete, this highly complex and critical infrastructure project is shovel ready.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and is expected to be completed by December 2030. The project aims to improve rail capacity and reliability, supporting both freight and passenger services in the region.

The Long Bridge North initiative represents a significant investment in modernizing rail infrastructure, addressing growing transportation demands while enhancing connectivity between Virginia and Washington, DC. By expanding track capacity, the project will facilitate smoother operations for both freight and passenger rail services, contributing to improved regional transportation efficiency.