transportation planning | 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

Transportation impacts of new Lofts at Reston Station homes draw scrutiny

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

Pulte Group's concept plan for Lofts II at Reston Station (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County staff are prepared to allow housing on an aging office property near the Wiehle Metro station in Reston with the expectation that the future developer will also deliver some transportation improvements.

The county’s planning commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Wednesday) on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would pave the way for Lofts at Reston Station builder Pulte Group to redevelop three low-lying office buildings at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive with stacked townhouses and condominiums.

Countywide

Compromise on ActiveFairfax plan aims to ease tensions between trail users, nature advocates

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Bicycle riders on trail (via Vito Natale/Unsplash)

Fairfax County staff have revised language in the proposed Active Transportation and Trails Plan in an effort to smooth out friction between advocates for pedestrians/bicyclists and environmental issues.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Wednesday night (March 18) reviewed the proposed changes and recommended approval of the new plan by the Board of Supervisors when the issue is addressed in May.

News

Potential Oakton transportation improvements need more study, residents say

By Emily Leayman

Published March 16, 2026 at 10:00AM

The scope of Fairfax County's Oakton congestion mitigation and safety study (via FCDOT)

As part of a transportation study spurred by a planned redevelopment of the former AT&T campus in Oakton, potential roadway changes were presented at a community meeting on Tuesday (March 10).

The Oakton Congestion and Safety Study was initiated by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a follow-up to its unanimous approval of a comprehensive plan amendment to allow mixed-use development on the company’s now-vacant, 33-acre Oakton office campus in 2025.

News

Board calls for initial analysis of planned Reston Parkway, Hunter Mill intersection projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 8:30AM

Northbound Reston Parkway approaching Bluemont Way (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County might soon start making headway on intersection improvements slated for funding by the Reston Transportation Service District created nearly a decade ago.

The advisory board that provides input on the district’s tax rate and priorities voted without objection on Tuesday (March 10) to request that the county allocate $1 million each to initiate analyses of proposed projects on Reston Parkway at Bluemont Way and New Dominion Parkway as well as one for Hunter Mill Road at Sunset Hills Road.

Countywide

FCDOT seeks feedback on proposed pedestrian, bicyclist improvement projects

By Jared Serre

Published March 11, 2026 at 11:15AM

A crossing on Ridge Heights Road outside Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials are seeking input on how to allocate millions of dollars in funding for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled a list of proposed projects last month and is now actively accepting survey responses until 4:30 p.m. on March 31.

News

New bus funding likely for Fairfax, but proposed Tysons route doesn’t make cut

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 10, 2026 at 10:00AM

Commemorative design on Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County is likely to receive most, but not all, of the funding it is seeking through a regional transit grant program.

The county’s request for just under $4.4 million in funding to support a new limited-stop Fairfax Connector service between the Tysons and Franconia-Springfield Metro stations has been removed from the list of projects being considered for the fiscal years 2027-2028 I-66 Commuter Choice funding cycle.

News

Transit advocates push for use of W&OD right-of-way as new rail line

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

A bicyclist passes a deer standing by the W&OD Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Transit advocates have dusted off a 60-year-old proposal to add transit operations along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Regional Park.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has received more than 60 requests in recent months to consider the concept, executive director Kate Mattice said at the body’s March 5 meeting.

News

Fairfax City sidewalk project rejected for federal funding

By Emily Leayman

Published March 5, 2026 at 3:45PM

Norman Avenue west of the Chain Bridge Road Service Road (via Google Maps)

The City of Fairfax will have to look for other funding means to add a new sidewalk after it missed out on potential financing from the regional Transportation Planning Board.

The city had applied for $3.25 million in funding to construct a sidewalk on Norman Avenue between the Chain Bridge Road Service Road and Hill Street. The funding would have covered a significant part of the project’s $10.8 million estimated cost.