City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support Grant Applications to the Virginia Department of Transportation for FY 2033 - FY 2034 SMART SCALE projects. [ROLL-CALL VOTE].
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution to support Grant Applications to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for FY 2033 - FY 2034 SMART SCALE projects.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of up to $35 Million in SMART SCALE applications from the City of Alexandria; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: In 2014, HB2 was signed into law and in June 2016, the program was renamed SMART SCALE. SMART stands for System Management Allocation of Resources for Transportation and SCALE stands for the six-road project scoring attributes: Safety, Congestion Mitigation, Accessibility, Land Use, Environmental and Economic Development. State law assigns different weights to factors based on a project’s location within a region of the Commonwealth. In Northern Virginia, factors are as follows: congestion mitigation is the highest weighted factor at 45%; accessibility at 25%, environmental quality at 10%, safety is at 15% and economic development at 5% each. The goal of SMART SCALE is to ensure the Commonwealth invests limited tax dollars into projects that meet critical transportation needs. The Commonwealth will make awards in June 2027 for projects scheduled for implementation in FY 2033 - FY 2034. To date, the City and DASH have been awarded approximately $154 million in SMART SCALE funding for projects (Attachment 2).
DISCUSSION: Based on the guidelines and criteria outlined in the SMART SCALE process, staff assess previously approved unfunded or underfunded projects that align with the timing of SMART SCALE funding and criteria. Staff identified two City projects as viable and competitive candidates for this round of funding. Full project submissions are due on August 1, 2026. City staff, in coordination with VDOT, will develop more detailed cost estimates over the next several months. At this time, the City is requesting approval to apply for up to the maximum amounts noted for each project.
Project 1: King Street-Bradlee Safety and Mobility Enhancements: Up to $27 Million - This project will construct improvements to the access road and intersections along King Street between Quaker Lane and Menokin Drive. The design will include wider sidewalks, a separate path for people biking, e-biking, and scooting, safety improvements at intersections, and accessible and enhanced transit stops. This project currently has funding available for design. Staff began working with the community in Fall 2023 to understand concerns with the roadway and undertook extensive community engagement through the concept design phase to identify a preferred design. The project was approved by the Traffic and Parking Board on June 24, 2024 and City Council on October 8, 2024. City Council previously approved the submission of this project for an earlier round of SMART SCALE funding in FY 2024, but the project was not awarded funds.
More information on the engagement process and recommended design concepts can be found on the project website at www.alexandriava.gov/go/4769 <https://www.alexandriava.gov/go/>.
Project 2: Mount Vernon Avenue North Intersection Improvements: Up to $8 Million - This project will improve safety benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and bus riders while minimizing impacts to traffic operations and parking. The project includes realignment of the intersections of Executive Avenue and Russell Road as they intersect Mount Veron Avenue to reduce crashes, improve sight lines, reduce vehicle speeds and create safer space for all roadway users. The project includes wider sidewalks, additional crosswalks, improved bus stops, shorter crossing distances and increased greenspace. This project is the result of a case study in 2016 which recommended opportunities to improve the safety of all roadway users along Mount Vernon Avenue, which was incorporated into the 2021 Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan. At the plan’s completion, Transportation Staff undertook a multi-year planning process called the Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets Project, seeking design improvements at four intersections on Mount Vernon Avenue, including Executive Avenue and Russell Road. At each location, city staff solicited feedback from residents, coordinated with property owners and assessed benefits of each design option before selecting a preferred design alternative for the intersection. The final preferred design alternative was approved by the City's Traffic and Parking board in April 2024.
More information on the engagement process and recommended design concepts can be found on the project website at www.alexandriava.gov/go/7865. <https://www.alexandriava.gov/go/>
FISCAL IMPACT: There is not fiscal impact as SMART SCALE grants do not require a local match. The total grant request is for up to $35 million for the two City applications.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: SMART SCALE Funded Projects
Attachment 3: Endorsement Letter
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, Transportation, T&ES
Christina Alexander, Capital Projects Program Manager, T&ES