Arlington, VA – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) voted Wednesday to allow the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to use nearly $20 million in toll revenues to fund 13 projects that benefit commuters in the I-66 corridor. “We appreciate the CTB’s support as we fund 13 projects that will provide connections to places people want to go, add options for commuter and local bus riders, encourage ridesharing and make it easier to choose transit,” said NVTC Executive Director Kate Mattice. “The projects funded through I-66 Commuter Choice will save Northern Virginia commuters approximately 485,000 hours of travel delay each year and move over 3,000 additional people through the corridor during rush hour,” she said.
The highly competitive application process resulted in a slate of projects that improve transit service, move more people and enhance transportation connectivity in Northern Virginia. About 87 percent of the funds, or $17 million, will support four new bus routes and improve the services of five existing bus routes. Three of the approved bus route projects will continue successful services initiated during the first I-66 Commuter Choice program launched in 2017. The remaining 13 percent, or $2.6 million, supports transit incentives, alternative travel options and program administration.
NVTC previously funded 25 projects, totaling $21.8 million in the I-66 corridor, including popular bus service between Gainesville and the Pentagon; Fairfax County Government Center and downtown Washington, D.C.; and Loudoun County’s Stone Ridge park-and-ride lot and the District. I-66 Commuter Choice, a 40-year partnership between the Commonwealth and NVTC, is designed to move more people, enhance transportation connectivity, improve transit service, reduce roadway congestion, and increase travel options for commuters in the corridor.