On February 18, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved nearly $12.5 million in federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) Program funding for seven small-scale projects in Virginia that will support safe walking, transit access, and ADA accessibility.

As the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the metropolitan Washington region, the TPB is responsible for selecting projects using a portion of Virginia’s TA Set-Aside funding. A selection panel consisting of District DOT, Maryland DOT, and TPB staff reviewed and recommended the projects with Virginia DOT serving as a technical resource during the selection process. Projects must meet regional policy criteria to be considered for funding. Criteria include:

• Expanding multimodal transportation options for non-drivers
• Supporting regional activity centers
• Completing the National Capital Trails Network—a regionwide shared use path system covering more than 1,400 miles
• Providing access to high-capacity transit including Metrorail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit
• Increasing transportation access in low-income areas
• Supporting Safe Routes to Schools
• Increasing access for people with disabilities
   

The FY 2027-2028 projects approved for funding include:

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Crossing Improvements Phase II, Alexandria
$2,172,769

This project will enhance student safety and strengthen connectivity to nearby neighborhoods by adding curb extensions with crosswalks, shortening crossing distances, and improving bus stops near George Washington Middle School. In addition, a curb extension and a raised crosswalk will be added near Charles Barrett Elementary School, and a nearby slip lane will be removed.

Columbia Pike Complete Streets, Fairfax County
$534,583

Funding will be used to add a six-foot wide sidewalk along the south side of Columbia Pike from Backlick Road to Tom Davis Drive where a gap currently exists, as well as install a high-visibility crosswalk and curb ramps across Columbia Pike at the west leg of Tom Davis Drive. The project is expected to improve accessibility and have a positive economic impact by improving pedestrian access to the surrounding Annandale businesses.

Safe Pedestrian Passages to School, Loudoun County
$924,795

Eight public schools across Loudoun County will benefit from improved safety, accessibility, and walkability through this project. Various site improvements include adding high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuges, and filling in sidewalk gaps to heighten the visibility of student pedestrians. The locations were identified by county staff with input from Virginia DOT, and the projects are included in the Loudoun County’s FY 2026 adopted Capital Improvement Plan.

Centreville Road Sidewalk, City of Manassas
$2,500,000

The Centreville Road project includes filling in existing sidewalk gaps and building a pedestrian crossing across Centreville Road. The project will design and construct 0.2 miles of sidewalk along Centreville Road between Weir Place and Prim Lane, as well as on Carriage Lane and Reb Yank Drive. The project will help connect a residential community to Weems Elementary School and other commercial businesses along the corridor.

Manassas Drive Shared Use Path, City of Manassas Park
$2,388,529

This project improves connectivity along Manassas Drive by constructing a 0.21 mile continuous shared-use path on the west side of Manassas Drive between Broad Street and Railroad Drive. Additional enhancements include new curb ramps, rail crossing improvements, and installation of pedestrian-scale signs and signal upgrades to improve visibility and safety. These improvements will enhance access to the Manassas Park VRE Station and the city’s downtown.

Old Carolina/Jefferson Street Sidewalk, Prince William County
$2,470,256

Improvements include a safe pedestrian crossing over railroad tracks and completing a missing segment of sidewalk that connects Prince William County with the Town of Haymarket. The project will construct a segment of sidewalk along Old Carolina Road/Jefferson Street from Somerset Crossing to Fayette Street. Additional work includes adding a crosswalk immediately south of the railroad tracks and adding a pedestrian automatic gate at the railroad crossing.

Ayr Hill Avenue Sidewalk Improvements, Town of Vienna
$1,488,564

Funding will improve accessibility along Ayr Hill Avenue by providing an Americans with Disabilities (ADA)-compliant sidewalk along one side of Ayr Hill Avenue where the existing sidewalk is just 36 inches wide. The project will also install switchback ramps at the intersection of Ayr Hill and Center Street. With the addition of this sidewalk, residents will have ADA-compliant access to the bus stops along Lawyers Road, as well as the commercial business along Maple Avenue.

MORE: Presentation to the TPB on the FY 2027-2028 VA Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (Item 7)