Every weekday morning, Jessica McDonald makes her way from Arlington to downtown D.C., often boarding a Virginia Railway Express train packed shoulder-to-shoulder. "Sometimes I feel like I'm in a race with the train itself—just waiting to see who moves first," she jokes.
But that frustrating experience may soon be history.
In a major win for infrastructure in the capital region, a joint venture between Sweden’s Skanska and Colorado-based FlatironDragados has secured a $1 billion contract to build the Long Bridge North project—an essential segment of a broader $2.3 billion overhaul designed to relieve Washington’s rail congestion once and for all.
Commissioned by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the roughly one-mile span will stretch from East Potomac Park to the busy rail interlocking near L’Enfant Plaza. Though short in length, this project marks a major turning point in how freight and passenger trains will move in and out of the D.C. metro area.
Currently, a two-track rail bridge—known simply as the Long Bridge—serves both CSX freight and passenger trains like Amtrak and VRE. At peak hours, it runs at a staggering 98% capacity, causing routine delays and bottlenecks that have frustrated commuters for years.
Kevin Brown, a veteran rail operations engineer based in Maryland, compares managing the flow to "solving a moving puzzle where the pieces are always late and never stop coming."
The new plan aims to fix that. The Long Bridge North project will pave the way for a future four-track configuration by introducing new western tracks designated primarily for passenger trains, while the refurbished eastern ones will serve freight. When fully complete, the system will cover 1.8 miles of improved rail with seven new bridges, transforming the corridor between D.C. and Arlington.
But it’s not just about trains.
As part of the project, a separate pedestrian and bike bridge will also be built across the Potomac River. It will link Long Bridge Park directly with East and West Potomac Parks, offering a scenic, car-free route through the city—a move that underscores the project’s commitment to greener, more inclusive transportation.
Michael Viggiano, executive VP of Skanska USA Civil, emphasized the project’s significance: “This is a complex, vital infrastructure effort, and we’re proud to lead the team delivering it. With planning and approvals done, and full funding in place, it’s ready to go.”
Skanska’s share of the contract totals $658 million, according to company disclosures. FlatironDragados, which didn’t release its portion publicly, brings to the table a strong track record in rail and tunnel construction, including major roles in L.A. Metro extensions and Seattle’s underground transit projects.
Though the project has been in the works since 2011, construction is officially kicking off this month. If all goes to plan, trains should be running on the new infrastructure by late 2030.
While many residents might not know Skanska or FlatironDragados by name, they’ll certainly feel the impact. Whether it's freight moving more efficiently up the Eastern Seaboard or daily commuters enjoying smoother, more reliable rides, this project aims to reshape how people and goods flow through the nation’s capital.
Jessica, the Arlington commuter, may not care about track configurations or engineering specs. But what she does care about is simple: "If I can get to work without holding my breath every time the train slows down, that’s all I need."
By 2030, thanks to this billion-dollar investment, she just might get her wish.