Funding for better safety on Arlington buses, a new “microtransit” project and upgrades to a crash-prone intersection is included in a new state funding proposal.
Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board is proposing a total of $13.7 million for Arlington projects in Fiscal Year 2026 as part of a draft Six-Year Improvement Program.
This is in addition to a proposed $32 million project to improve the interchange at Washington Blvd and Arlington Blvd, which has been the site of several crashes over the years.
A list of proposed FY 2026 Arlington investments is below.
- $5.7 million to continue supporting Arlington County’s commuter assistance program.
- $4 million to upgrade Arlington Transit fareboxes to meet regional requirements and support transfers between agencies.
- $2.5 million for a microtransit pilot that would use vans or other relatively small vehicles to shore up gaps in Arlington bus routes.
- $1.3 million for other ART changes, including upgrading the security camera system and replacing 15 bus arrival screens.
- $68,000 for an ART intern.
While some projects involve local support, $6.9 million of the proposed funding would come from the commonwealth and $4.6 million would come from the federal government.
Upgrading the Washington Blvd and Arlington Blvd interchange, meanwhile, is one of four Northern Virginia “Smart Scale” projects that state staff are recommending for approval.
Arlington County requested this funding over the summer.
Staff are not currently recommending funding for another project that Arlington County requested, which would bring safety and operational improvements to nine intersections on N. and S. Glebe Road between I-66 and Columbia Pike.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board is collecting feedback on the draft improvement plan, with approval expected in June.
An online comment form is live and a meeting on Northern Virginia projects is scheduled to happen on Thursday, May 8 at 5 p.m. at the Virginia Department of Transportation Building at 4975 Alliance Drive in Fairfax County.
