City of Alexandria, Virginia
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MICHAEL MOON, INTERIM DIRECTOR, T&ES
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution for Submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for Regional Transportation Funding FY 2030 program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution for Submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for Regional Transportation Funding for the FY 2030 program to fund improvements to Eisenhower Avenue and the Van Dorn/Duke Street intersection.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) to approve an application to the NVTA for 70% regional transportation funding for up to $46 million; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager to submit the proposal to the NVTA and enter into any necessary agreements with NVTA to accept the funds.
BACKGROUND: In April 2013, House Bill 2313 was signed into law, levying additional taxes and a fee in Planning Districts that meet population, motor vehicle registration, and transit ridership criteria. The revenues generated in Northern Virginia through these taxes and fees are deposited into a fund managed by the NVTA. Thirty percent (30%) of the funds are distributed directly to member localities to use on transportation projects. The remaining seventy percent (70%) of the funds are distributed by NVTA for regional transportation projects. Since FY 2014, the City has been awarded approximately $214 million in NVTA 70% regional funds, the bulk of which went to the Potomac Yard Metro Station ($70 million) and the Duke Street Transitway ($87 million). The City uses NVTA 30% funds largely for transit capital and operating costs, subject to annual budget consideration by City Council. For a summary of projects and funding, see Attachment 2.
DISCUSSION: This spring NVTA formally requested applications seeking 70% regional transportation funding for FY 2030 and FY 2031 as part of the FY 2026 to FY 2031 Six-Year Program update. In this funding round, the City can only submit projects that are currently included in the NVTA’s approved regional plan, TransAction. Staff proposes that the City submit applications for two projects totaling up to $46 million.
Project 1: Eisenhower Avenue/South Van Dorn Street Corridor Improvements - Up to $24 million. The concept design for this project was endorsed by City Council in October 2024. This project will fund design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction for a variety of mobility, access,and roadway safety design changes on Eisenhower Avenue between South Van Dorn Street and Holmes Run Trail that were recommended as part of the Eisenhower Avenue Transportation Study. The changes include removing one travel lane in each direction on Eisenhower Avenue, diverting left-turns at the Eisenhower Avenue/South Van Dorn Street intersection to Metro Road, installing No Turn on Red restrictions and Leading Pedestrian Intervals, installing protected bicycle lanes, new sidewalks, installing enhanced pedestrian crossings, installing bus boarding islands, adding on-street parking, to enhance mobility, access, and safety for all roadway users while minimizing traffic delay.
City Council previously approved the submission of these projects for funding to the state’s 2030 SMART SCALE program and the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program. These funds were not awarded to the City.
Project 2: Van Dorn/Duke Street Roadway Improvements - Up to $22 million. The City seeks to apply for infrastructure improvements at the Duke Street and Van Dorn Street interchange to complement the Duke Street Transitway. The Landmark/Van Dorn Small Area Plan proposes improvements to this location, and this project will include safety upgrades at the new at grade crossings and a ramp realignment to accommodate the Duke Street Transitway to access the Landmark Mall (now West End) Transit Center. The proposed project would include design and construction of interchange ramp realignments, crossing improvements, exclusive transit ramp and a new sidewalk on Duke Street where one is currently missing. The proposed sidewalk was identified as a priority project in the Alexandria Mobility Plan. Duke Street has also been identified as a high-crash corridor, and this project would support the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by improving safety for all road users. This project will also increase the speed of buses along the Duke Street Transitway, and enhance mobility, access, safety, and comfort for people walking to, from, or adjacent to the future West End Alexandria mixed-use development complex.
City Council previously approved the submission of these projects for funding through a grant application to the state’s 2028 SMART SCALE program. These funds were not awarded to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the City as NVTA 70% funds do not have a local match requirement.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: NVTA Funding Summary
Attachment 3: Endorsement Letters
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Ryan Knight, Division Chief, Transportation Engineering, T&ES
Christina Alexander, Capital Projects Program Manager, T&ES
Alex Carroll, Complete Streets Program Manager, T&ES
Philippe Simon, Grants Coordinator, T&ES