Virginia’s proposed Atlantic Gateway Project has been selected for a federal FASTLANE grant of $165m from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT).

The Atlantic Gateway Project will help address bottleneck areas on I-95 corridor in Northern Virginia.

Total funding for this project is $1.4bn, which includes the federal grant, private investment and public funding.

"Winning this significant federal grant will allow Virginia to move forward on a project that will transform travel conditions and stimulate economic growth across our Commonwealth."

The grant has been offered under USDOT’s Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) programme.

FASTLANE is part of a $4.6bn, five-year programme intended to boost freight and highway mobility across the country.

The Atlantic Gateway Project will enhance passenger and freight rail along the corridor, reliability and capacity on the East Coast’s rail network, and increase bus services.

The 95 Express Lanes will be extended both to the north and south, enabling commuters to gain a reliable trip from Fredericksburg to the Potomac River.

An expanded bus service will help keep more cars off of the road and shorten commute times.

Atlantic Gatway Project also includes construction of a new southbound bridge on I-95 across the Rappahannock River and addition of new commuter parking facilities, technology upgrades and truck parking along the corridor.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said: "Winning this significant federal grant will allow Virginia to move forward on a project that will transform travel conditions and stimulate economic growth across our Commonwealth.

"Our administration worked with federal, state, local and private sector parties to submit a package of transportation improvements that will have far-reaching benefits for everyone who travels the Commonwealth, whether by car, bus or train."