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Arlington trail-widening plans and project eligibility draw criticism at NVTA hearing
Summary
Several speakers at NVTA's May 14 hearing argued that proposed Custis Trail widening and other bicycle/pedestrian projects do not meet Code of Virginia criteria for NVTA regional funding and urged the authority to reconsider or audit slow-moving projects.
Multiple commenters at the NVTA May 14 public hearing contested whether certain trail-widening applications meet the authority’s statutory mission and questioned whether NVTA should fund projects that, they argued, do not demonstrably reduce regional congestion.
Audrey Clement of Arlington noted NVTA's statutory duty to prioritize projects that provide congestion reduction relative to cost and argued trail widening on the Custis Trail "does not meet the funding requirements of Virginia code," adding that recent repaving calls into question the project's cost-effectiveness. Bernard Burn (virtual) cited the NVTA enabling language and contended that bicycle and recreational trail projects are not "significant" transportation projects under that statute.
Speakers also raised concerns about project performance and accountability. Frank Putsoe (Alexandria) and others pointed to slow spending and schedule slippage on the Duke Street Transitway, arguing that NVTA should not award additional funds without an audit of why the project has not progressed and how scope and budgets have changed.
NVTA members acknowledged the concerns and noted the authority evaluates projects using congestion-reduction analyses and public-comment input. Staff reiterated that project eligibility and evaluation methodology are part of the packet materials and that committees will review applications and public feedback before the July adoption of the six-year program.
No formal action on the contested projects was taken at the May 14 meeting; speakers asked NVTA to withhold awards for projects with significant progress or statutory questions until further review.
