The Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation Study
The recommendations from this study are being used to inform and shape the Embark Richmond Highway Project. Click here to learn more.
VDRPT developed a “Multimodal Transportation Alternatives Analysis” for a 14-mile segment of Richmond Highway (U.S. Route 1) from I-495 to Route 123 in Woodbridge, Prince William County. This study defined key transportation issues, established a “needs statement,” and considered a range of multimodal transportation solutions to address those needs. It investigated transportation options such as bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit (LRT), extended Metrorail service, roadway widening, and restructured pedestrian/ bicycle pathways. Read: Route 1 Multimodal Study.
Route 1 Improvements at Fort Belvoir
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with Fairfax County, The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir held a public meeting on December 17, 2013 to discuss Route 1 Improvements at Fort Belvoir.
U.S. Route 1 Improvements at Fort Belvoir Information Website
Richmond Highway Transit Center Feasibility Study
Three potential Bus Transit Center sites are being considered for Richmond Highway by Fairfax County: Dart Drive, Hybla Valley Center, and Buckman Road (South County Government Center). A community meeting to discuss the feasibility study was held on September 18 at the South County Government Center.
Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) Regional Projects
The Virginia General Assembly passed landmark transportation bill HB 2313 that provides new revenue for transportation projects, beginning on July 1, 2013. Northern Virginia is expected to receive $1.9 billion over the next six years, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has been tasked with allocating 70% of this money to regional transportation and mass transit projects. NVTA is organized into five working groups that will address legal, financial, organizational, public outreach, and project implementation issues. NVTA has developed a draft list of projects and wants to hear from you! To learn more about the NVTA projects under consideration, provide comments online, or get involved with additional work group meetings, please visit www.thenovaauthority.org.
Repaving of Sherwood Hall Lane (Route 1 to Fort Hunt Road)
North Kings Highway (VA 241) Intersection Improvement
Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is seeking to develop viable transportation improvements to address traffic issues and community concerns along North Kings Highway (VA 241) within the Penn Daw Community Business Center (CBC). Some of the issues being addressed include cut-through traffic, pedestrian safety and walkability.
For the last two years, FCDOT has been working with a transportation consultant to develop four intersection design options. Community input and feedback received in 2014 showed preference for two (2) of the four (4) proposed options. These preferred options include: 1) Removal of the existing traffic signal at North Kings Highway and School Street; 2) Conversion of School Street to a right-in/right-out access
A presentation can be viewed below that shows the proposed options (8C and 8D) in more detail, as well as the measures of effectiveness for both alternatives (including travel times). Residents are encouraged to submit comments on the alternatives online through November 15, 2015. Visit the Fairfax County North Kings Highway page for more information.
Many transportation projects are needed in Fairfax County, but only some of these projects will receive funding. That’s why the county created a survey to find out which transportation improvements citizens want the most. Projects with the most citizen support will be given higher priority for funding.
SFDC supports widening Richmond Highway from four to six lanes from Mount Vernon Memorial Highway to Napper Road (just south of Costco). Currently, businesses are reluctant to build and invest along this stretch because of the uncertainty that comes with not knowing when the road will one day be widened.
Richmond Highway north of this stretch is 6(+) lanes and the Highway south is already set to be widened to 6 lanes as part of the Fort Belvoir BRAC expansion. If the project is not adopted, a bottleneck will result, causing more traffic congestion than we already have.
Super NoVa Transit/TDM Action Plan
In addition to the Alternatives Analysis specifically for Richmond Highway, VDRPT completed a Super NoVa Transit / TDM Vision Plan in 2012. The Super NoVa study area is quite large, extending south to Caroline County and west to the West Virginia border. This study also recommends light rail for Richmond Highway.
Countywide Transit Network Study
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) finished its third round of public meetings to discuss the proposed High Quality Transit Network concept. This policy proposal, based on the Countywide Transit Network Study, identifies travel corridors where transit systems could be expanded to enhance mobility and access between popular destinations. The proposal includes:
- Expanding Metrorail
- Adding light-rail systems
- Dedicating bus lanes
To learn more visit Fairfax County’s transit webpage.