Arlington’s county manager is holding off on a firm stance regarding local control of roads currently controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
County Manager Mark Schwartz told the Arlington County Civic Federation that he hasn’t ruled out the idea of the county assuming responsibility for Glebe Road and Langston Blvd, which are among the network of local roads under state control.
“We’ve had conversations — conceptual conversations — with VDOT,” Schwartz said on Dec. 9.
For now, “I’m not saying we should or we shouldn’t” move forward in those discussions, he added.
The county government assumed responsibility over Columbia Pike in 2010 following approval by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The action was designed to allow for improvements in the corridor to spur development and potentially pave the way for the planned, but subsequently abandoned, streetcar project.
Now, the Langston Blvd area is moving forward with a redevelopment effort aimed at adding density along specified portions of the 5-mile corridor, which runs from East Falls Church to Rosslyn.
In his remarks, Schwartz said any local takeover of state roads is “going to come with a bill — cost us a good amount of money.” But it could provide more local autonomy on planning and executing improvements. And it could speed up the process.
“I love VDOT, but they are consummate bureaucrats,” Schwartz said. “They have lots and lots of checklists.”
Other Arlington roadways where VDOT has partial or total control:
- Interstate 66: Custis Memorial Parkway
- Interstate 395: Shirley Memorial Highway
- State Route 123: Chain Bridge Road
- State Route 124: Spout Run Parkway (Langston Blvd to Lorcom Lane)
- State Route 233: Airport Viaduct
- State Route 237: Washington Blvd (N. Glebe Road to Langston Blvd)
- State Route 309: Old Dominion Drive
- U.S. Route 1: Richmond Highway
- U.S. Route 50: Arlington Boulevard
The federal government has responsibility for some other roadways in Arlington, including the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Boundary Channel Drive and a portion of Spout Run Parkway.
Budget challenges multiplying
For decades, successive county managers have met with the Civic Federation annually. At the Dec. 9 event, Schwartz also discussed planning for the fiscal year 2027 budget.
An inside joke in local governance is that every year is described as a “tough budget year,” but Schwartz said it will be true this time around.
The economic picture “is going to be towards the bottom — it won’t be at the bottom, but it will be close,” he said. “We are falling short in our revenue.”
In crafting a 2027 budget that most likely will exceed the record $1.69 billion package adopted for fiscal year 2026, Schwartz said he would focus on the economic realities in the county and region.
“I try not to get too excited or too scared,” he said.
As for dealing with the Trump administration, the county manager said it has proved a challenge.
“The uncertainty will drive you crazy,” he said. “Trying to do planning with a federal government changing its plans day by day is a real challenge.”
