$1 Million in Additional NVTA Funding Allocated for Route 1 Improvements

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) voted Thursday to provide an additional $1 million for roadway and transit improvements for Route 1 from Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Roy Rogers) to Napper Road (Costco) in their FY 2015-16 program.

“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. Transit improvements will bring new development, residents and businesses to the area and help transform the Route 1 Corridor into a vibrant destination spot in Fairfax County,” Chairman Bulova said in a news release.

Supervisor McKay was happy to make the motion to secure the funding at the Project Implementation Working Group Committee on April 13, and Chairman Bulova voted to approve the amended NVTA program on Thursday.

“As someone who grew up on the Route One corridor and knows it well, I know how long we’ve waited for these improvements to come,” said Supervisor McKay. “I’m glad we can deliver them now and help ensure that we keep up the momentum on the corridor.”

“This is yet another significant step forward in the transformation of the Richmond Highway corridor. The community and elected officials from the Fairfax County Board and General Assembly worked together to achieve this vital investment in Mount Vernon’s future,” said Supervisor Hyland.

Nearly 90 percent of all comments received by the NVTA called for improvements to Route 1. This undoubtedly helped convince elected leaders from other parts of Northern Virginia that we cannot delay improvements to Route 1 any further.

In addition to the newly allocated $1 million, NVTA had previously dedicated $9 million in federal funding to this project in January 2015. In all, $10 million total has been dedicated by NVTA for widening a section of Route 1 from Mount Vernon Memorial Highway to Napper Road. The funds will be used for the design, environmental work and possibly some land acquisition associated with the widening and roadway improvement project. The project will include a center median for bus rapid transit, similar to the dedicated travel way included in the project already under construction between Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and Telegraph Road.

Securing this funding now is especially critical to capitalize on the recent Route 1 Multi-Modal Study, completed by the Department of Rail and Public Transit in late 2014, the supervisors noted. Roadway improvements are an important step toward realizing short-term plans for bus rapid transit and long-term plans for a Yellow Line Metro extension to Hybla Valley, they said. These public investments will also help attract new private investment to the corridor, according to the supervisors.

In the last 12 years, the County has invested millions of dollars in road improvements, sidewalk additions, transit, and other amenities along Route One. The additional $1 million on top of NVTA’s $9 million investment is another step in the right direction for improving and transforming the Route 1 Corridor in Fairfax County.