Manassas Journal Messenger | VRE stations get expansion money
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission received a $3 million federal grant Friday to expand parking at two Virginia Railway Express stations.
The transportation commission will use $2 million of the grant to complete the multi-level parking garage at VRE’s Old Town Manassas station, said Paul Griffo, Federal Transit Administration spokesman.
The Manassas station is at 120 percent capacity with 337 parking spaces for VRE riders, Griffo said.
The new parking deck, scheduled for completion in October 2006, will offer 328 new parking spaces
The remainder will be spent to expand parking at the Burke Center VRE station, Griffo said.
The Burke Center station is currently 21 percent over its capacity with 614 spaces, Griffo said.
The new multi-level parking structure at the Burke station, scheduled for completion in December 2007, will have an additional 1,100 parking spaces, Griffo said.
Currently, the station is 21 percent over its capacity, with 614 parking spaces available.
Jennifer L. Dorn, of the Federal Transit Administration said VRE is a “lifeline” for commuters and people who want to visit the Washington, D.C., with their families.
“Increased parking will allow people to enjoy hassle-free train rides into the nation’s capital,” Dorn said.
In an administration press release, Rep. Tom Davis, R-11th District, said he was pleased the federal government gave the grant to the PRTC.
“Any federal contribution toward promoting mass transit and easing gridlock in our region is a welcome one,” Davis said in the release.