Prince William planning commission backs six NVTA funding applications, staff urge public outreach before final submissions

Prince William County transportation staff told the Planning Commission on June 11 that they plan to seek Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) 6‑year program funding for six county projects and outlined next steps for community engagement and application timelines.

Megan (transportation staff) summarized NVTA’s funding structure and how the county screens candidates. “This is funded about 18 projects in the county since it started in 2013,” she said, adding that NVTA returns roughly 30% of revenues to member jurisdictions and allocates the remainder competitively through its six‑year program.

Staff said they screened approximately 65 Transaction‑sponsored projects down to about 50 candidates and then applied internal and NVTA criteria to identify the most competitive proposals. “Based on that process, we are recommending four of these projects for application this year,” Megan said, adding that district priorities produced two additional recommended applications.

The six recommended projects are: the Route 15 railroad overpass and associated intersection improvements (Gainesville/Haymarket); the Route 1123 interchange (previously funded for design); Van Buren Road North extension (environmental assessment complete, Finding of No Significant Impact); Old Bridal/Gordon Boulevard interchange (in design, with a remaining funding gap); a Route 234 trail within the Innovation small area plan (with options to extend the trail if NVTA eligibility allows); and a Dale City transit priority project focused on dedicated/priority bus lanes and commuter‑lot improvements.

Staff explained the competitive reasoning behind each selection. For the Route 15 overpass, Megan said adding intersection improvements at Route 15 and Route 55 should raise congestion‑reduction scores that previously left the project uncompetitive when evaluated chiefly for safety and pedestrian benefits. Route 1123 received NVTA design funding in 2021 but was held from a 2023 submission over community‑support concerns; staff will hold a July 1 town hall to test public sentiment before requesting construction funding. For Van Buren, staff reported earlier smart‑scale estimates were about $200,000,000 under federal assumptions but noted that regional‑fund estimates frequently come in lower; “we have about $10,000,000 that have already been allocated to the project,” Megan said.

Staff also flagged the Old Bridal/Gordon Boulevard interchange’s remaining shortfall — roughly $75 million — and recommended requesting full NVTA funding to close the gap. On the Route 234 trail, staff said they will apply for the portion unambiguously eligible inside the Innovation small area plan and continue working with NVTA on whether a corridor extension can be included; a pedestrian bridge could be eligible within the small area plan scope.

The Dale City transit priority proposal would request design funding only this round, staff said, noting coordination with OmniRide and that dedicated bus lanes on state‑owned secondary roads are novel and would require VDOT review.

Commissioners asked about plan alignment with regional long‑range plans, phasing versus single‑project funding, coordination with VRE and OmniRide, and whether flyover ramps or other interchange solutions should be pursued countywide. Staff advised that major mobility chapter updates are resource‑intensive and that targeted Comprehensive Plan Amendments are used when misalignments emerge; they reiterated that NVTA technical scoring is rigid and community support can tip projects that already score well.

Next steps: staff will continue stakeholder engagement (including a July 1 town hall for the Route 1123 project), present recommendations to the Board of County Supervisors in July, and submit NVTA applications by the August 1 deadline.