Dear Members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board,
As Executive Director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC), I write to support funding for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. SFDC is a non-profit economic development organization that has taken the lead on revitalization in the Richmond Highway Corridor since 1981.
Richmond Highway is a busy, urbanizing corridor that already enjoys a high level of bus ridership, but the highway has problems with include flooding, erosion, and increased pedestrian accidents, including pedestrian deaths. The Richmond Highway widening and BRT projects will solve these problems, and will also relieve congestion, improve safety, enhance walkability, connect multiple jurisdictions and help residents access employment centers. In addition, they will provide significant “bang for the buck” economic development in the corridor.
It is gratifying to see the strong community support for these projects, and for the new Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Embark Plan coordinates BRT stops with development of the Community Business Centers along the corridor as pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly mixed-use environments, a transformation that has already begun in the northern section of the highway close to the Huntington Metrorail Station.
Thank you very much for your hard work. I appreciate your taking these comments into consideration as you make your funding decisions.
Sincerely yours,
Edythe Kelleher
Executive Director, Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation