Rail Project To Move Some VRE Final Stops To Alexandria Station Starting In 2026

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria's King Street Metro and its adjacent Virginia Railway Express/Amtrak station will see busier activity starting in 2026 amid the Long Bridge Project.

The Long Bridge Project will provide more rail capacity for passenger and freight trains between Virginia and D.C., providing relief for one of the worst bottleneck areas on the East Coast. Improvements include providing four tracks between the Long Bridge Aquatic Center in Arlington and L’Enfant Plaza in D.C., five new rail bridges and two new pedestrian and bicycle bridges. A new two-track rail bridge over the Potomac River will be adjacent to the current Long Bridge, along with a new bike and pedestrian bridge between Long Bridge Park in Arlington to East and West Potomac Park in D.C.

Separately, several projects are beginning in Alexandria to add a fourth rail, make VRE Alexandria Station platform improvements, replace the King and Commonwealth bridges replacement and make King and Commonwealth streetscape improvements.

The Long Bridge Project will mean some changes for rail commuters. Starting in January 2026, VRE will make schedule adjustments to accommodate the Long Bridge Project construction. VRE says no trains will be eliminated, but some trains may begin or end at Alexandria Station instead of D.C.'s Union Station. Adjustments to where trains begin and end may evolve between 2026 and 2030 until the Long Bridge Project is complete.

The impacts on VRE service are expected during construction hours from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday. VRE currently does not offer Saturday service. The midday construction hours are due to D.C. noise ordinances only permitting crews to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

At the Alexandria Station, riders can transfer to the adjacent King Street-Old Town Metro on the Blue and Yellow Lines to continue trips to D.C. On VRE's Fredericksburg Line, transfers to Metro's Franconia-Springfield Station on the Blue Line are also an option.

VRE says the Amtrak Step-Up Program will provide flexibility to commuters during the construction. VRE allows multi-ride ticketholders to ride select Amtrak trains to and from Union Station.

Riders should look for updates on rail service during construction through VRE's website, emails, social media, and station pop-ups.