Joint venture wins deal to build one-mile-long rail link costing US$1bn

The project involves building a one-mile-long stretch of railway for Virginia Passenger Rail Authority that promises to modernise transportation links between Washington D.C. and Virginia.

The Skanska-FlatironDragados JV’s work on the Long Bridge North Project includes replacing the existing two-track rail corridor with a four-track system, stretching from the southern limit near the shore of the Potomac River, through East Potomac Park, across the Washington Channel, and ultimately connecting to L’Enfant Interlocking in Washington D.C.

The work forms part of the larger 1.8-mile Long Bridge Project, set to cost $2.3 billion in total. It will replace and enhance the busy rail corridor from Washington, D.C. into Arlington, Virginia with a series of linked, four-track modern rail bridges and corridors replacing the aging two track system.

Michael Viggiano, executive vice president, Skanska USA Civil, said, “Skanska is proud to be leading the construction team and work for the Long Bridge North Project, which will vastly improve freight and passenger rail service in the Capital Region. With funding in place and planning and approvals now complete, this highly complex and critical infrastructure project is shovel ready.”

Jim Schneiderman, executive vice president, FlatironDragados, said, “FlatironDragados is pleased to transition from planning to construction with our partners Skanska and VPRA on a project that will improve rail service in this important region. Through collaboration from day one, we have optimized a complex project to minimize construction risk and to enable greater schedule and cost certainty.”

The award for Long Bridge North is worth $1 billion to the Skanska-Dragados joint venture, while Skanska has indicated separately that its share is worth $658 million.

Construction is set to begin in July 2025 and comes with an anticipated completion date of Q4 2030.