CVTA technical advisory committee approves Option D, backs Fulton Yard and downtown transfer hub funding

The Central Virginia Transportation Authority Technical Advisory Committee voted unanimously on a special-call meeting to approve “Option D,” directing unallocated CVTA funds toward a mix of projects and confirming support for the Fulton Yard rail layover facility and the downtown transfer station.

Committee members recorded unanimous “aye” votes after a motion by Miss Smith and a second from Miss Inman. The roll call recorded ayes from Town of Ashland (Miss Mertz Gwynn), Charles City County (Miss Adams), Chesterfield County (Miss Smith), Hanover County (Mister Vaidunas), Henrico County (Miss Smidler), New Kent County (Miss Inman), Powhatan County (Mister Webb), and City of Richmond (Mister Wagner). The chair announced, “Motion passes.”

The decision follows extended public comment urging the TAC to prioritize transit projects over road expansion. Jacob Sherrod, a Henrico resident and community coordinator with Strong Times RVA, told the panel: “I think we ought to ask ourselves whether the goal of the CVTA is to reduce traffic or improve transportation.” Sherrod argued that highway extensions offer only temporary congestion relief and recommended funding transit projects such as the downtown transfer station and the Fulton rail layover facility.

Kevin Cianfarini, co‑lead of Climate Change Makers RVA, pressed the committee not to redirect transit-eligible funds to highway projects. “We strongly oppose redirecting any any unallocated funding towards road and highway expansion projects like the Poway Parkway extension,” he said, and urged the TAC to fund the $13,500,000 match for GRTC’s BUILD grant and the Fulton Railyard project.

Environmental and planning advocates voiced similar positions. Fatima Kamara of the Virginia Conservation Network said transportation is Virginia’s largest emissions source and urged funds go to transit, bike‑pedestrian and rail infrastructure. Richard Hankins of the Partnership for Smarter Growth called the Fulton Yard and downtown transfer hub “smart-growth options” that would increase regional rail capacity. Lee Williams of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group said CVTA’s $48 million surplus should be used to expand transit and active-transportation infrastructure rather than widen roads.

During deliberations committee members identified areas of consensus and outstanding trade-offs. Members said the Fulton Yard facility had near-universal backing at $15,000,000 across the options under consideration. The downtown transfer station’s requested amount drew debate: some members and stakeholders said $13.5 million was the best match to strengthen a BUILD grant application, while City of Richmond staff confirmed they could work with a reduced figure. A City representative stated that $10 million would be “the bare minimum” to proceed, and several members signaled support for that level during the discussion.

Local jurisdictions also discussed project readiness and whether to reallocate funding from projects that had scored in the earlier evaluation. Hanover described trimming its Route 33 funding request from $20,000,000 to $4,000,000 for preliminary engineering so it could return in a later round to request construction funds. New Kent and others emphasized sticking to the scoring framework and prioritizing projects that are ready to advance.

With Option D approved, committee members and agency staff thanked partners and said they would incorporate the recommendation into materials for the full authority. The committee noted two written comments submitted in advance would be included in the minutes. The TAC set its next meeting for March 9 and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Option D — Mover: Miss Smith; Seconder: Miss Inman; Outcome: approved (unanimous).