The portlock road grade separation project (the project) involves conducting feasibility analyses, nepa, and preliminary engineering to develop a grade separation project at portlock road in…

The City of Chesapeake received a $1,293,500 Project Grant award on May 1, 2025, from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program (CFDA 20.327) to complete feasibility analyses, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, and preliminary engineering for a grade separation project at Portlock Road in Chesapeake, Virginia. The project addresses critical safety and mobility concerns at the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company crossing, which accommodates 29 daily trains (including six passenger trains) across eight tracks and experiences frequent blockages lasting hours. Two fatal collisions have occurred at the crossing within the past five years, and approximately 100 school buses traverse the site daily, making safety the primary concern for residents, businesses, and first responders.

Upon completion by March 31, 2027, the grade separation project will provide reliable vehicular access, eliminate transportation delays, and enhance community connectivity by separating vehicle and rail traffic. The planning and design work funded through this award will establish the technical and environmental foundation necessary to proceed toward construction of the grade separation, thereby improving safety, equity, and mobility for the residents of Chesapeake and the surrounding region.

The portlock road grade separation project (the project) involves conducting feasibility analyses, nepa, and preliminary engineering to develop a grade separation project at portlock road in chesapeake, VA. The norfolk southern railroad company (NS) owns the crossing and hosts 29 trains per day, six of which are passenger trains. Two fatal collisions with trains have occurred at the crossing in the past five years, one a fatal crash with a car, another with a pedestrian. The crossing has eight tracks and incurs frequent delays, with trains sometimes parked for hours, preventing cars from crossing, including parents attempting to cross for pickup at the primary school nearby. Approximately 100 school buses traverse the crossing daily and safety is the primary concern. A proposed grade separation will provide residents, businesses and first responders with reliable vehicular access, and improve the safety, equity (through the connection of neighborhoods), and mobility of people and goods in virginia.