WASHINGTON — This week a regional transportation panel tasked with improving roads and transit in Northern Virginia decided where hundreds of millions of dollars in funding will go.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) approved its two-year (FY2015-16) $345.9 million plan that includes 37 projects (21-highway and 16 transit projects). The announcement came after a month of public comment, which included a public hearing and five town hall meetings held across Northern Virginia.
Marty Nohe, NVTA Chairman said on Thursday, “We value the feedback we received from organizations, legislators and citizens alike. The project list we adopted tonight reflects that input. As we move ahead, this Two Year Program will reduce congestion region-wide and ensure that Northern Virginia’s taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.”
In Fairfax County, NVTA is committing an additional one-million dollars to widen traffic that has snarled Route One from Mount Vernon Highway (Roy Rogers) to Napper Road (Costo). Earlier this year, the authority dedicated $9 million in federal funding to Route 1 (Richmond Highway) improvements.
“We heard constituents loud and clear at the community meeting on March 31, and have since been hard at work to secure additional NVTA funding for this area,” says Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova says. “Transit improvements will bring new development, residents and businesses to the area and help transform the Route One Corridor into a vibrant destination spot in Fairfax County.”
A Fairfax County press release says that nearly 90 percent of all comments received by the NVTA called for improvements to Route 1.
Also, $49.4 million will go towards widening Route 1 in Prince William County from Featherstone Road to Marys Way. It will turn a four-lane undivided highway into a six-lane divided highway.
The Potomac Yard Metrorail station in Alexandria will receive $1.5 million for a design and environmental study.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority was created by the Virginia General Assembly in July 2012 to be a common voice for transportation in Northern Virginia. NVTA allocates regional tax revenue to improve roads and transit and reduce congestion.
