Let’s build a modern Rail-with-Trail line connecting Western Loudoun to the region’s core
Update: The Town of Hamilton has endorsed our plan, becoming the first municipality to do so.
Traffic gets worse every year. Let’s give residents the option to take the train and save time, money and the environment.
Our goal is to advocate for the construction of a Rail-with-Trail line on the path of the abandoned W&OD railroad alongside the bike trail to connect Loudoun to Washington, DC. Get involved and help us win a feasibility study!
Our Goal:
Win a Feasibility Study
NOVA-TRAC’s top priority is securing an independent, state-lead Feasibility Study for Rail-with-Trail on the W&OD Corridor.
Why it matters
A feasibility study is the first step in winning better transit for Loudoun and Fairfax. It will assess the costs and benefits of the project, including demand and ridership potential, engineering and operational constraints, and necessary infrastructure investments to preserve and enhance the trail.
What could it look like?
Why the W&OD?
One of the largest expenses in building transit projects is buying land. Haggling with every property owner along a route is an expensive and time-consuming process – just look at the California High-Speed Rail project.
By using a continuous, 38 mile section of land already owned by local governments, we can save taxpayers money and get the project done quickly.
Cost
The W&OD trail passes through the most densely populated historic areas of Loudoun and Fairfax which currently lack access to transit, such as Leesburg and Sterling, and the downtown areas of Ashburn, Herndon and Vienna.
Why is density important? Because it guarantees high ridership. Building better transit where people already live gives them the option to use transit, reducing traffic and making communities more sustainable. High ridership will make the route financially sustainable for local governments who fear the high costs associated with transit.
Connecting Communities
“The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad is necessary for a complete rail transit system for the Northern Virginia Transportation District.”
— Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, 1965
FAQs
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No! The trail itself may only be a couple feet wide, but the park land is 100 feet wide. This means that the trail can not only coexist with the rail, but will see a boost from people going to and from stations. California’s SMART commuter rail has done exactly this, building a trail alongside their tracks. Read more from the DOT here.
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According to our estimate, a trip from Leesburg to Foggy Bottom would take 45 minutes, a trip faster than driving and significantly cheaper
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The reason for this — instead of a line that goes directly into DC — is quite simple: Cost. The W&OD land was used to build I-66, so there isn't space left over for tracks. Digging a tunnel into DC would be expensive, and only save a few minutes.
By allowing riders to quickly transfer to Metro, billions could be saved and the ride is still much faster than taking the Silver Line or driving.
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The FTA’s cost model estimates $2.5 billion as the total project cost, a fraction of the cost of proposed Metrorail expansions (e.g., Silver Express, $35-40 billion).
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No, while they may look close from afar, W&OD rail serves different areas entirely, providing transportation for communities and town centers historically built around the W&OD. Even though some W&OD Rail stations share names with Metro stations, like Herndon and Ashburn, these stations are a 35 minute and 1.2 hour walk apart from their Metro counterparts, meaning they serve different communities.
Studies show that new transit lines increase total transit ridership, rather than just taking riders from other lines. In reality, W&OD Rail will bring new riders to the Silver Line from areas like Leesburg, Purcellville, and historic Ashburn and Herndon, where transit is currently limited and most people drive.
SMART Train and accompanying trail.
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