New Train Station Critical for Massive Potomac Shores Project

POTOMAC SHORES, VA—A host of federal, state and local dignitaries were on hand on Thursday for the groundbreaking for the new Virginia Railway Express station in Potomac Shores, including Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

The beginning of the train station project is critical to the future success of SunCal's Potomac Shores transit-oriented development community. The project situated on 1,900 acres at full build-out will feature a town center, a planned marina and waterfront village, a resort hotel, the new VRE rail station and a corporate campus. It will also include a private 10,000-square-foot recreation center, two public schools, more than a dozen sports fields and courts, 10 miles of trails and more than 3,800 residences.

"A robust, effective transportation system is key to ensuring that Virginia can compete in a 21st Century economy," Gov. McAuliffe said at the groundbreaking event. "This means investing not only in road improvements, but also rail and mass transit, which is why today's groundbreaking is a critical part of my transportation agenda. The new Potomac Shores VRE station will be a vital link in the region's commuter rail network, and it is a great example of the Commonwealth working together with private partners."

"When our company acquired this property in 2011, one of our priorities was to create a transit-oriented development," says Eddie Byrne, vice president of project management for Potomac Shores. "We made some adjustments to the previous plans, and the county's 2013 approval of a zoning amendment and special use permit allows us to concentrate various uses in the town center. But above all, this is a TOD community because of the inclusion of the VRE station in the town center."

Making the new rail stop possible was the Federal Railroad Administration's 2012 authorization of $74.8 million to build 11 miles of a third track from Stafford County to Prince William County, thereby reaching Potomac Shores. The state invested $15 million and SunCal is contributing $20 million towards the design and construction of the Potomac Shores station.