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Transportation Committee
What We Do
The Transportation Committee monitors proposals concerning road or transit construction and modifications and reviews all proposals that establish or expand roadways, busing, rail, and air transportation which affect Fairfax County residents and infrastructure.
For committee-specific inquires, contact our Chair, listed HERE.
Recent Actions
Opportunities for Community Involvement
Transportation Committee Reports to the Membership September 2026
Here are items that may be of interest:
Long Bridge Project
This summer marked a major step forward for the Long Bridge Project. Take a look at the progress made across the project as construction moves forward into fall!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1420827426641015
2026 Fall Transportation Meetings
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will host nine meetings across Virginia this fall and is inviting the public to share feedback on transportation projects and programs related to highway, rail, and public transportation across the Commonwealth. Members of the community may participate by attending public meetings or submitting comments by email or by mail.
The public will have an opportunity to learn and share feedback about top transportation priorities and the vision for transportation in the Commonwealth along with information related to various other initiatives. Representatives from the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will be in attendance to highlight their transportation programs and to discuss your ideas and concerns on Virginia’s transportation network. The meetings will consist of remarks from key officials followed by a town hall session where the public may engage in discussion and ask questions about the various initiatives.
Northern Virginia Public Hearing:Date / Time: Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 2PM
Location: VDOT Northern Virginia District, Potomac Conference Room, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
https://ctb.virginia.gov/planning-funding/2026-fall-transportation-meetings
MWAA board OKs additional $15.5 billion for Dulles Airport upgrades
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board members agreed in August to add $15.5 billion to the authority’s capital spending budget for planned improvements to Dulles International Airport.
MWAA officials also sketched out the anticipated timing and cost of individual components of the improvement plan, which had been pushed as a priority by President Donald Trump.
Without dissent and with little comment before taking action, MWAA board members voted unanimously to support a plan calling for multiple renovation and construction projects that could span two decades and more than quadruple the existing cost for airlines using Dulles.
The improvements will turn Dulles into “a world-class airport,” predicted Mark Uncapher, a Maryland appointee who chairs the MWAA board of directors.
Uncapher said the additional cost, on top of $4.4 billion already budgeted for Dulles improvements, would not put the authority in a financial bind.
“The demographics of our area is very strong, the economy is very strong,” he said at the special meeting on Aug. 19.
https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/08/20/mwaa-board-oks-additional-15-5-billion-for-dulles-airport-upgrades/
New I-66 slugging network launching this fall to help commuters bypass tolls
To encourage commuters along the I-66 corridor to participate in slug lines, organizers will hold an I-66 Slugging Challenge starting Sept. 14.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, the challenge will offer commuters incentives for participation and a chance to win up to $1,000 in prizes for logging their slugging trips.
The I-66 Slugging Network has not set specific goals for participation, but the long-term goal is to make slugging along the corridor a reliable, ongoing commuting option.
https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/07/27/new-i-66-slugging-network-launching-this-fall-to-help-commuters-bypass-tolls/
VDOT sought input on roadway safety
The Virginia Department of Transportation askied the public to provide input on their experiences and concerns about roadway safety.
The results will help guide VDOT’s update of its five-year Virginia’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
The survey asked Virginians to identify the most pressing safety issues within such areas as speeding, pedestrians, bicyclists, occupant protections, impaired driving, aging road users, safe vehicles, and safe roads.
Survey takers are also asked to provide insight on which countermeasures, actions, or strategies they believe would be most effective in reducing or eliminating those concerns.
The Strategic Highway Safety Plan provides direction and focus for road safety efforts in the commonwealth. The steering committee that provides oversight to the update is made up of VDOT, Virginia State Police, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Health, and other state and local agencies and partners.
The updated plan is expected to be released in early 2027.
https://annandaletoday.com/vdot-seeks-input-on-roadway-safety/
FCDOT seeks input on bus route changes in Springfield area, including new Tysons service
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is considering a number of service changes for its Fairfax Connector bus system next spring, including cutting four routes due to low ridership and adding new limited-stop service between the Tysons and Franconia-Springfield Metro stations.
In advance of the service changes, which are concentrated in the Franconia and Springfield area, FCDOT will host two virtual community information meetings: one on Sept. 23 at noon, and another on the same day at 7 p.m. Residents can also leave feedback via an online survey that will be open through Sept. 30.
https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/09/16/fcdot-proposes-bus-service-changes-in-springfield-area-including-new-tysons-route
Data Center Permitting Models Are Forgetting About These Transportation Costs
Op-ed: Local governments need a new framework for evaluating construction‑phase transportation to avoid saddling communities with undisclosed impacts.
https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/data-center-permitting-models-transportation-construction-impacts
Accessible Parking: Pushing Beyond Minimum Requirements to Meet Today’s Demand
While the 2010 ADA Accessibility Standards and Architectural Barriers Act define the minimum number of accessible parking spaces and their design, data from state agencies and community reporting make clear that policy change is required to address a nationwide crisis of accessible parking availability. This session on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 2:30 – 4:00 PM (ET), will review the minimum design requirements for accessible parking and potential solutions to address the needs of those who require it. Presenters will propose improvements that can be made at a state or local government level, including the need to increase the proportion of accessible spaces relative to all parking, educating the public to help make people aware of accessible parking and who needs it, and steps that can improve enforcement and ensure those who need parking can access it.
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/session/?id=111229
Arlington's Draft Multimodal Transportation Plan: Public Comment and Engagement
The draft Multimodal Transportation Plan is now available for review, and an online feedback form is open for community input.
Regional Feedback: We welcome your feedback on the draft plan. Please send any thoughts or comments to me by August 23 so that we can review and address any comments prior to the Board process. We will also share the plan again as part of the formal Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Help us Spread the Word! We will be promoting the draft plan through community events, mailers, and digital outreach. We hope that you can help us by sharing with your communities and networks using the resources on our Toolkit Page.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Plans-Studies/Transportation-Plans-Studies/Arlingtons-Transportation-Future
MWCOG Transportation Planning Board Community Advisory Committee met on 10 September
I've been a member of the CAC since 2010. Applications to serve on CAC for the next two-year term will be available soon. if interested please reach out to me
Agenda Items
• September 2026 Agenda
https://www.mwcog.org/file.aspx?&A=tJTB%2fPGX6zalQxAwS%2f%2bz3NAHQ4v2XcZmgKwf9egN%2bzw%3d
Meeting Summaries
• September CAC Report
https://www.mwcog.org/file.aspx?&A=WBRpk6Kk5EZUA0flBxmZYwU1raE0XFhb0adrF%2fysFEQ%3d
Presentations
• Item #3 -Overview of TPB Technical Assistance Programs for Community Planning
https://www.mwcog.org/file.aspx?&A=JaoycXe8%2bMIBImWL4DyPgvfAzUK98jrEvjvG4SiWIqU%3d
• Item #4 - DMV Moves Update
https://www.mwcog.org/file.aspx?&A=Vpjz2lZJO2Bba7JrUf0y2qp1L8cZ0%2botIvFBUAbm9TE%3d
• Item #5 - State of Public Transportation Report
https://www.mwcog.org/file.aspx?&A=NbQhEKMLpVbeV30eeEZH1PW2D%2b9rCY4YC88vMhR8big%3d
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Transportation Committee Reports to the Membership on 27 May 2026
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The Transportation committee co-chair, Jeff Parnes, and a committee member, Lewis Grimm, briefed the membership based on reports made to the Transportation Planning Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
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Jeff spoke to the TPB’S FY2026 Congestion
MANAGEMENT Process
(CMP) TECHNICAL REPORT -
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Fairfax County Seeks Feedback on Walking and Biking Infrastructure Priorities
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Fairfax County is seeking community feedback to help prioritize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects for funding. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has developed a preliminary list of potential active transportation projects, such as crosswalk improvements and new sidewalks, and is seeking community input to prioritize which projects should receive funding.
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In fall 2021, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set a goal to identify and invest $100 million by 2027 to improve and expand active transportation infrastructure throughout the county. Last fall, the board approved an additional $25.43 million in one-time investment bringing the total amount contributed since 2021 to $82.12 million. These funds are intended to enhance safety, accessibility and connectivity for people walking, biking and using other forms of non-motorized transportation.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the preliminary list of potential projects for their districts and share feedback by participating in an online survey. District project lists, maps and surveys may be accessed on the Active Transportation Prioritization webpage. Survey submissions are due by 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
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FCDOT held two virtual community meetings to review the methodology and criteria used to select eligible projects and to gather input from residents on local priorities. Slides from those meetings are available here
VPRA's Fairfax Community Advisory Group (CAG)
VPRA’s first Fairfax County Community Advisory Group meeting was held Wednesday, 25 February 2026. If you're interested in what transpired, during the meeting, here is a link to the presentation or you can watch a recording of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/TFK2mjAQC-c
These materials are available on their website, as well, on both the Franconia-Lorton Third Track and Franconia-Springfield Bypass pages.
MWCOG TPB Community Advisory Committee
Jeff Parnes, our Federation Transportation Committee Co-Chair, is a member of the TPB CAC
Covered at the 12 March 2026 CAC meeting:;
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Freight Planning at the TPB
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Continuous Airport System Planning (CASP) Program in the Metro DC area
Covered at the 12 February 2026 CAC meeting:;
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FY2027 Commuter Connections Work Program
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Results of the State of the Commute Survey
For more information see his page covering the activities of the TPB CAC at
VPRA Announces Service Changes for Long Bridge Project Construction
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Will impact Amtrak and VRE service:
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) today announced plans for passenger rail service changes to accommodate the Long Bridge Project, the flagship project of the state’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative to expand passenger rail service in the Commonwealth. The completion of the Long Bridge and other TRV projects will bring about generational changes in passenger rail for Virginians, benefiting both passenger rail and freight traffic nationally.
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As the Long Bridge Project enters full construction, major construction activities require daytime “work windows” through the construction zone in Washington, D.C. VPRA has coordinated service planning efforts with Amtrak, NCDOT, CSX, NS, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE), who have jointly developed a plan to preserve service. The construction work must be carried out during the daytime, as noise and vibration ordinances in Washington, D.C., prohibit certain work at night.
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Work windows will begin January 12, 2026, and will continue until the project’s completion in 2030. Schedule changes seek to preserve optimal times for Amtrak service while protecting the highest ridership “peak” for VRE’s morning and evening commuter trains. CSX has also rescheduled its freight traffic to accommodate the work win
Help Shape the Future of Rail in Virginia: DRPT Launches 2026 Statewide Rail Plan Survey
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has officially launched a public input survey to help guide the development of the 2026 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan. The agency is seeking feedback to ensure the updated plan reflects the needs and priorities of passengers, freight partners, and communities across the Commonwealth. The survey will be open from March 13 through March 27.
The Statewide Rail Plan establishes a vision for the future of rail in Virginia, outlining both short-term (6-year) and long-term (20-year) investment horizons. To help shape this vision, the survey gathers public input on potential improvements to passenger rail service as well as freight rail considerations, including impacts at highway rail crossings. Respondents are also invited to share their perspectives on key strategies identified by DRPT to enhance passenger and freight rail service statewide.
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Residents, business owners, farmers, and commuters are encouraged to participate in the survey, which takes approximately five to ten minutes to complete
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In the coming months, DRPT will partner with the University of Virginia’s Institute for Engagement and Negotiation to host a series of public meetings. These meetings will provide an opportunity to review survey findings and gather additional feedback on how Virginians would like to see the rail system evolve. Participants may provide their email address at the end of the survey to receive updates and invitations to these upcoming events.Soapstone Connector in Fairfax County
Soapstone Connector in Fairfax County
This project will extend Soapstone Drive (Route 4720) north by approximately half a mile from Sunrise Valley Drive (Route 5320) to Sunset Hills Road (Route 675) via a new bridge over the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267), Dulles International Airport Access Highway, and the Metrorail Silver Line.
The new roadway will include:
Two lanes (one in each direction).
Painted median.
Shared-use path on the east side.
Two-way cycle track and sidewalk on the west side.
The project also includes:
Upgrading the traffic signal at Sunrise Valley Drive and Soapstone Drive.
Installing a new traffic signal at the new road's intersection at Sunset Hills Road and a potential shared-use path along the north side of Sunset Hills Road between the existing bus stops.
Fairfax County completed an Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) evaluation of the Association Drive Historic District for the project and received a Finding of No Significant Impact from the Federal Highway Administration. Read more and view the documents on the Fairfax County project webpage.
Please note: The location and design public hearing scheduled for April 13 has been postponed; details about the rescheduled hearing will be posted here once they are available.
Shirley Gate Road Extension Project
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is planning an extension
of Shirley Gate Road from Braddock Road to the Fairfax County Parkway. This project will construct approximately 5000 feet 2 lane road with associated storm drainage, sidewalk, shared use paths and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA) compliant curb ramps. These improvements will provide a new connection from Braddock Road to Fairfax County Parkway and provide a better flow of traffic in the area.This project will be funded through a combination of the State revenue sharing funds and Fairfax County funds.
FCDOT will be holding a public hearing for the project on Tuesday April 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Willow Spring Elementary School in the cafeteria. The goal is to inform the public about the project as we prepare to move forward with the design and land acquisition process.
For more information, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/projects/ shirley-gate-road-extension. Project plans are available for review at the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, Virginia. If you
have any concerns or questions, you can reach Dennis Marsh at email: dennis.marsh@ fairfaxcounty.gov or via phone at 703-877-5746.