Ontario Sun - Skanska-FlatironDragados Joint Venture Secures $1 Billion Contract for Long Bridge North Project

The Skanska-FlatironDragados Joint Venture has been selected by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) to undertake the construction of the Long Bridge North Project, a significant infrastructure development with a contract value of $1 billion. This project marks the initial phase of a larger endeavor to modernize and expand the rail corridor between Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, transitioning from a two-track to a four-track system to accommodate increased freight and passenger rail traffic.

The Long Bridge North Project involves the construction of approximately one mile of rail link from East Potomac Park to Washington D.C.’s L’Enfant Interlocking. The initiative is part of the broader 1.8-mile Long Bridge Project, designed to replace and upgrade the existing rail infrastructure. The eastern tracks, currently used by CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) for freight and passenger services, will be refurbished, while new western tracks will be built to primarily serve passenger rail services, including Amtrak Virginia, Amtrak’s long-distance services, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE).

Michael Viggiano, executive vice president of Skanska USA Civil, expressed pride in leading the construction team for a project that promises to significantly improve rail service in the Capital Region. Jim Schneiderman, executive vice president of FlatironDragados, highlighted the collaborative effort to optimize the project for minimal construction risk and enhanced schedule and cost certainty.

Construction is scheduled to commence in July 2025, with an expected completion by the fourth quarter of 2030. The Skanska-FlatironDragados Joint Venture is working in partnership with VPRA, CSXT, Amtrak, VRE, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the National Park Service (NPS), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and other agencies to deliver this pivotal infrastructure project.