City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: EMILY BAKER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for the FY 2027 State of Good Repair Program
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for the FY 2027 State of Good Repair Program. The City requests approval to submit an application for a competitive grant to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for (1) the FY 2027 State of Good Repair (SGR) Locality-Owned Bridge Program for funding of up to $3,000,000 for planned capital maintenance and repairs and (2) the FY 2027 SGR Local Paving Grant Funding Program for funding of up to $676,486 for capital resurfacing improvements
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 1) to support an application for up to $3,000,000 through the VDOT SGR Locality-Owned Bridge Program for capital maintenance and repair of Van Dorn Street over Backlick Run Culvert;
2. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 1) to support an application for up to $676,486 from the VDOT SGR Local Paving Grant Funding Program for the resurfacing of City-maintained primary route extensions along North Quaker Lane; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to submit this Resolution and enter into any agreements with VDOT that may be required to receive these funds and participate in improvements under these programs should the requested allocations be approved.
BACKGROUND: Through its State of Good Repair Locality-Owned Bridge Program, VDOT provides grant funding for repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement of bridges in poor condition (otherwise known as structurally deficient) or replacement of damaged or deteriorated elements to mitigate future deterioration and prolong the life of a bridge structure in fair condition. This funding is available for bridges maintained by VDOT and those that are locally maintained/owned. Allocation of funding is need-based. The funding is intended to supplement the current level of funding by localities. No local match is required. In the past, only bridges rated as poor or lower were eligible for the funds. However, in FY 2025, VDOT added bridges in fair condition to the SGR Locality-Owned Program for bridges. The bridges eligible for funding are identified by VDOT through the Bridge Condition Reports submitted to VDOT by the City and are assigned SGR scores.
VDOT provides grant funding for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of deteriorated roads through its State of Good Repair Local Paving Grant Funding Program. This funding is available for roads maintained by VDOT and those that are locally maintained/owned. Allocations are on an as needed basis. The SGR Program includes funding for roads called 'Primary Extensions' which are routes maintained by municipalities that carry a primary route number for continuity. In Alexandria, examples include Duke Street (Route 236) and Van Dorn Street (Route 401). VDOT estimates that approximately 55% of primary roads in the Northern Virginia jurisdictions are deficient and funds have been made available to these VDOT identified routes with a Critical Condition Index of less than 60. This VDOT-specific score is consistent with the City's Pavement Condition Index, which was updated as part of a citywide survey in 2022. The local paving grant funding is intended to supplement the current level of funding by localities. No local match is required.
In FY 2021, the SGR Program became federalized, requiring contracts to adhere to federal procurement requirements. The last SGR Locality Owned Bridge Program grant was approved by City Council in November 2024. The last SGR Local Paving Grant Funding Program application was approved by City Council in December 2024.
DISCUSSION: Staff compared the VDOT SGR scores with the City's Bridge Repairs CIP program for FY 2026 through FY 2035. Based on VDOT parameters for this grant, staff identified the Van Dorn Street over Backlick Run Culvert as an eligible candidate to compete for this grant. The cost of the selected culvert aligns with our current FY 2026 capital improvement program. This grant will allow the City to continue implementing the remainder of the capital improvement plan.
In FY 2022, VDOT completed a pavement management inventory in which a condition assessment was performed on primary extension routes statewide, including those in Alexandria. This system, much like the citywide Pavement Condition Index (PCI) performed by the City in 2022, resulted in a condition index score assigned to each route. The streets eligible for funding through this grant are identified by VDOT and are limited to major arterials that have a low PCI rating. Staff compared the VDOT Critical Condition Index scores with the City's proposed three-year paving schedule from the FY 2026 through FY 2035 approved Capital Improvement Program, which are based on citywide PCI scoring, to identify the streets eligible for the FY 2027 grant cycle.
Given these VDOT parameters, staff identified the following sections of roadway that have reached their useful life and need rehabilitation:
• North Quaker Lane from West Braddock Road to Fern Street, Northbound lanes;
• North Quaker Lane from Fern Street to Preston Road, Northbound lanes;
• North Quaker Lane from Preston Road to the entrance of Shirlington Circle, Northbound lanes; and
• North Quaker Lane at Shirlington Circle, Northbound lanes.
FISCAL IMPACT: SGR Program projects do not require a local match. The application reflects the estimated project costs of up to $3,676,486. Funding from this grant will allow the City to repair the Van Dorn Street over Backlick Run Culvert with bridge maintenance funds and allow the City to repair the identified sections of roadway with local street maintenance funds and be eligible for reimbursement of the costs.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
STAFF:
Alex Boulden, P.E., Interim Deputy Director, T&ES
Alicia Wright, Assistant Director, T&ES
Mary Alice Winston, Division Chief, T&ES
Lisa Jaatinen, Senior Infrastructure Program Manager, T&ES
Asi Mbah, Infrastructure Program Manager, T&ES