The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has released a draft of its six-year improvement program (SYIP), proposing $7 billion in investments across public transportation, freight, and passenger rail for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The SYIP serves as DRPT’s annual budget for funding and supporting rail and public transit programs throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For FY 2026, the draft plan allocates $332 million to local and regional public transportation providers, $442 million to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail and Metrobus services, and $17 million to the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Additionally, the program proposes $20 million in freight-rail investments and $232 million for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to facilitate the expansion of passenger rail service within the state.
The rail component of the plan outlines funding for projects managed by DRPT’s rail division through two primary funding programs: the Commonwealth Rail Fund (CRF) and the Shortline Railway Preservation Fund (RPF). In FY26, the CRF aims to dedicate $8.8 million towards projects focused on improving railways, railroad equipment, rolling stock, rights of way, rail facilities, and engineering and design programs, with an additional $19.9 million allocated for FY27-30. The CRF also proposes $1.7 million in FY26 to support statewide and local planning for freight and long-range passenger rail, with another $10.6 million earmarked for FY27-30. Projects supported by these funds include environmental clearances and participation in federal programs such as the Corridor Identification and Development Program and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
The RPF program targets state-of-good-repair and capacity improvement projects on the short line network. For FY26, the draft plan calls for $9.2 million for initiatives such as bridge and track upgrades, signal system upgrades, yard improvements, siding enhancements, and tie and rail replacements, with another $32.6 million planned for these projects in FY27-31. Funding for the SYIP is determined by formulas established in the Code of Virginia, while individual projects are scored based on DRPT’s grant applications and subsequently approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.