funding | FFXnow

Route 1 BRT, Elden Street upgrades among transportation projects vying for regional funds

Published April 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is pinning all its hopes for a new round of regional transportation funding on a single major project, but local travelers could also benefit from some of the other contenders.

As authorized last fall by the Board of Supervisors, the county is seeking $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for its planned “The One” bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which would serve nine stations along a 7.4-mile stretch of Richmond Highway, also known as Route 1, from Huntington to Fort Belvoir.

Countywide

Process for prioritizing sidewalk, crosswalk projects needs fixing, Fairfax officials agree

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County Department of Transportation director Gregg Steverson (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County transportation officials think they have found a better way to prioritize and manage sidewalk, trail and crosswalk improvements after several rocky years.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors informally ratified a proposal for Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff to develop a three-year cycle for listing all potential projects, then prioritizing them based on cost and community impact considerations.

News

Federal funding wanted for project to add third railroad line over Occoquan River

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 4, 2026 at 8:30AM

A low CSX bridge over Richmond Highway has been the scene of numerous accidents (via Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors went on record yesterday (Tuesday) supporting state officials’ efforts to cure a major rail-traffic bottleneck.

In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the board asked the federal government to award the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s request for funding to design 4.6 miles of a third mainline track on CSX’s rail corridor in Fairfax and Prince William counties.

Countywide

Fairfax County staff hope to win more Va. transportation funding by thinking smaller

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 26, 2026 at 11:45AM

Virginia Department of Transportation Northern Virginia District office in Legato (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Shut out in the last round of jockeying for state transportation funding, Fairfax County officials are taking steps to be more successful next time.

For the next round of applications for “Smart Scale” grants, due over the summer, county staff intends to “focus on smaller projects” that require no more than $30 million through the program, said Noelle Dominguez, coordination and funding division chief for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT).

News

FCPS receives $13 million held up for a month by Trump administration

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 31, 2025 at 1:45PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid informs the school board about frozen federal grant funds at a July 10, 2025 meeting (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools has received millions in federal funding that was held up for nearly a month by the Trump administration.

FCPS spokesperson Julie Allen told FFXnow yesterday (Wednesday) that the school division has confirmed receipt of the $13.1 million in withheld funding.

Countywide

Fairfax leaders angered at being left out of funding for future Va. transportation projects

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 15, 2025 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County plans to eventually extend Town Center Parkway from Sunset Hills Road to Sunrise Valley Drive via an underpass under the Dulles Toll Road (via Volkert study)

Fairfax County leaders believe they and other Northern Virginia leaders are getting an unfair deal when it comes to state transportation funding.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday (May 13) to send a letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller III, expressing concern about being passed over in the latest round of “Smart Scale” funding for transportation improvements.

News

Richmond Highway BRT, other bus lines set to receive regional transit funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 5, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 5, 2025 at 2:03PM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County’s plan to finance a nearly billion-dollar bus rapid transit (BRT) network along Richmond Highway is about to get another boost.

In June, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is expected to support an additional $10 million in funding for the project. It would be the second installment in a $20 million promise to help the county finance the new bus system.

News

More funding accepted to support Richmond Highway bus rapid transit

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 28, 2025 at 1:15PM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Plans for the nearly billion-dollar planned bus rapid transit (BRT) project in the Richmond Highway corridor took another step forward at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 22.

The supervisors formally accepted $47.7 million in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) in support of the project, which is currently estimated to cost $979 million. The money will come from the Commonwealth’s “Smart Scale” funding pool.

Countywide

Federal spending freeze could have jeopardized student meals, FCPS superintendent says

By James Jarvis

Published January 30, 2025 at 9:00AM

Justice High School cafeteria staff prepare meals for distribution to students during a snow day (courtesy Donnie Biggs/FCPS)

The Trump administration’s plan to freeze federal spending could’ve disrupted free and reduced-price meals for thousands of students if it had taken effect, according to Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid.

The directive, issued Monday (Jan. 27), ordered federal agencies to halt grants, loans, and other aid and review federal financial assistance programs to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, which has prioritized cutting government spending and scaling back diversity and equity efforts, among other goals.

News

Fairfax supervisors urge General Assembly to reject Youngkin’s proposed Metro funding cuts

By Acacia James

Published April 18, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated April 25, 2024 at 5:48PM

A train at the McLean Metro station platform (file photo)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is asking the county’s General Assembly delegation to oppose Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed funding cuts to Metro in the state’s budget.

During a board meeting on Tuesday (April 16), supervisors unanimously approved a letter written by Chairman Jeff McKay, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, and Dranesville District Supervisor James Bierman, asking the delegation to oppose the cuts and retain the funding needed to address the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) estimated $750 million shortfall.