$10M Grant For Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Accepted By Board

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Ten million in grant funding for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit was accepted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, giving a boost to the future transit system.

The $10 million to partially fund the project comes from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission. The funding comes from the Commuter Choice program from I-95/I-395 Express Lanes toll revenue to support transportation projects in the interstate corridors. Fairfax County had applied for funding to support the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit, a system of nine bus stations connecting residential communities, shopping centers and employment centers through a dedicated median bus lane.

A Bus Rapid Transit system is intended to be faster and more reliable than traditional bus routes through dedicated bus lanes. The county's long-term goal is to have the Bus Rapid Transit lead to a future Yellow Line Metrorail extension to Hybla Valley. Planned stations include Huntington Metro, Kings Crossing, Beacon Hill, Lockheed, Gum Springs, Hybla Valley, Hyland Center, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir.

The total estimated project cost is $937.047 million, according to Board of Supervisors documents. The county received $330 million in Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding from regional revenues and will apply for a federal New Starts/Capital Investment Grant to provide more funding for the project.

Bus Rapid Transit part of a larger Embark Richmond Highway effort to transform the corridor with VDOT's road widening project, bicyclist and pedestrian improvements, land use changes and the Bus Rapid Transit. The VDOT widening of Richmond Highway between Sherwood Hall Lane and Jeff Todd Way is in design, and right-of-way acquisitions are underway. The estimated construction start date is in 2027.

There will be a Jan. 31 public open house to provide an overview of the progress on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project. The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bryant High School's auditorium, 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, VA. There will not be a presentation, so attendees can drop by any time during the open house. Attendees will see a summary of work completed on the project and decisions made for the project. On-site childcare and shuttle transportation from Gum Springs and Hybla Valley Community Centers will be available by emailing Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services at ncscrccregion1@fairfaxcounty.gov.