NVTA Update
June 2021
As we reach the halfway point of 2021, NVTA activities are abuzz much like the cicadas surrounding us these days. Check out the highlights from the past month so you can stay in the know!
On Thursday, May 13th, the Authority adopted the eight strategies of the inaugural Transportation Technology Strategic Plan (TTSP) and its Action Plan. With the guidance of the Transportation Technology Committee (TTC) and input from other NVTA Committees, the TTSP was developed as a tool for establishing a proactive approach to innovation, which keeps congestion reduction top of mind. The full TTSP will be maintained as a living document, to reflect the continued evolution of transportation technologies, and to allow NVTA staff the flexibility to update and refine it as necessary.
Since adoption, we have been working to deepen the connection between the TTSP and TransAction, Northern Virginia's long-range transportation plan. Over the next two months, we'll begin drafting processes and templates to use in future collaborative efforts to develop regional transportation policies, as well as in evaluating technologies as they enter the region. The TTC will be provided an update on all of this work during the next Committee meeting, which has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 14th.
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Virginia Transportation Secretary, Shannon Valentine, and Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Director and Authority member, Jennifer Mitchell, invited NVTA Executive Director, Monica Backmon, to host the May 12th Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Annual Conference “Blue Ribbon Virtual Reception,” gathering transportation leaders and dignitaries from across the country.
On May 20th, LEADVA hosted a panel discussion at JBG Smith's Arlington offices on the “National Landing: Rail Gateway to VA” during which Ms. Backmon was a featured panelist, along with Dallas Richards, Chief Engineer, Virginia Railway Express, and Jay Corbalis, Vice President, Public Policy, JBG Smith.
The focus of the discussion was on railway investments impacting the region, including Long Bridge, VRE Crystal City Station and the WMATA Station in Crystal City. Ms. Backmon also spoke about NVTA’s investments in National Landing and provided background on NVTA’s origins.
While we celebrate transportation everyday here at NVTA, we worked with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), Virginia Railway Express, and PRTC/OmniRide, on a collaborative promotion as part of Celebrate Transportation Day in Virginia on May 27, 2021. Did you know that for the first time in history, women chair these NoVA transportation agencies simultaneously, including NVTA Chair Phyllis J. Randall and NVTC Chair and Authority member Katie Cristol?
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Since participant tents could not be set up beside the pitstop tents this year, continuing to keep social distancing in mind, NVTA participated virtually in Bike to Work Day on May 21, 2021, producing a video highlighting participation with cyclists in years past. NVTA staff plan to participate in-person once again next year and we can't wait to see you out there!
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Project Spotlight
On May 26, 2021, the Authority, City of Manassas, and Virginia Department of Transportation, co-hosted a groundbreaking event on the City's Route 28 widening project, anticipated to reduce traffic congestion, increase safety, and include a bike/pedestrian shared use path. Speakers included Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor, City of Manassas, and member of the Authority; Monica Backmon, NVTA Executive Director; and Dic Burke, VDOT Transportation and Land Use Director. This is the sole NVTA regionally-funded transportation project (totaling nearly $70M) sponsored by the City of Manassas.
On May 27th, the Town of Hillsboro in Loudoun County announced it is officially reopened to 2-way traffic 24/7! This important NVTA-funded traffic calming/pedestrian safety project was completed in just a little over a year. The Town of Hillsboro will be hosting a Route 9 reopening ribbon-cutting celebration on June 18, 2021, declared by the Town as NVTA Day. The Route 9 traffic calming project is one of the first transportation projects in the Authority’s inaugural FY2018-2023 Six Year Program to start and finish construction. |
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On February 4, 2021, the Authority celebrated with the City of Alexandria and DASH Bus, the completion of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects, via a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following up on the milestone celebration, as part of a collaborative effort, the City of Alexandria, NVTA and DASH Bus have unveiled a brief animated video explaining new Transit Signal Priority (TSP) projects in the City, how they operate and how travelers will be impacted. The Authority has invested more than $2 million in Alexandria ITS projects.
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NVTA in the News
Herndon awards contract for new signal, sidewalks at Elden-Center Street intersection
Reston Now, May 14, 2021
Fairfax City adopts its FY22 budget
Fairfax Connection, May 16, 2021
Cicadas in Virginia: What's happening now?
AnimalsMeal.com, May 16, 2021
Manassas kicks off widening of section of Route 28
INSIDE NOVA, May 26, 2021
NBC 4 (ran 2-minute segment during evening news on the Route 28 groundbreaking in City of Manassas; no clip available)
NBC 4, May 26, 2021
Route 28 widening project now extends into Manassas
Potomac Local, May 26, 2021
Route 28 widening project groundbreaking
Prince William Living, May 26, 2021
Upcoming Route 28 project will reduce congestion in Manassas/Prince William County
WDVM-TV, May 26, 2021
Piece of the puzzle: Groundbreaking in Manassas aims to improve Va. 28 commute
WTOP, May 26, 2021
Route 9 through Hillsboro reopened in full
Loudoun Now, May 27, 2021
Herndon awards contract for new signal, sidewalks at Elden-Monroe Street intersection
Reston Now, May 27, 2021
Route 9 reopens in the Town of Hillsboro (clip no longer available)
WEPM Radio, May 28, 2021
Route 9 project complete: Road through Hillsboro open for two-way traffic
Loudoun Times-Mirror, May 28, 2021
Work begins on Route 28 widening project
What's Up Prince William, May 28, 2021
Work begins on Route 28 widening project
The Patch, May 31, 2021
Hillsboro reopens Route 9 to two-way traffic on schedule
Spirit of Jefferson (subscription required to view), June 2, 2021
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS AT NVTA
* Authority Meeting *
June 10, 2021, 7:00 p.m. | Virtual: NVTA's YouTube Channel
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Governance and Personnel Committee
June 10, 2021, 5:30 p.m. | Virtual: NVTA's YouTube Channel
Finance Committee Meeting
June 17, 2021, 1:00 p.m. | Virtual: NVTA's YouTube Channel
Technical Advisory Committee
July 21, 2021, 7:00 p.m. | Location: TBA
Planning Coordination Advisory Committee
July 28, 2021, 6:30 p.m. | Location: TBA
Transportation Technology Committee
July 14, 2021, 8:30 a.m. | Location TBA
Planning and Programming Committee
Next Meeting Details TBA |
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ADDITIONAL UPCOMING MEETINGS, EVENTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES
VTRANS Trends Analysis Webinar: Vulnerability Assessment
June 15, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
Click here for more details.
VTRANS Trends Analysis Webinar: Long-term Needs Development
June 29, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
Click here for more details.
Arlington County Transportation Commission Meeting to Discuss Crystal City Metrorail East Entrance Project
July 1, 2021 at 7 p.m.
*NVTA-Funded Project*
Details to be announced here.
Community Meeting - ART Operations and Maintenance Facility (Arlington County)
June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
*NVTA-Funded Project*
Click here for more details.
Public Facilities Review Committee (Arlington County) to Discuss ART Operations & Maintenance Facility
June 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
*NVTA-Funded Project*
Click here for more details.
Route 9 Reopening Ribbon-Cutting Celebration (Town of Hillsboro)
*NVTA-Funded Project*
June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
Route 7 at Battlefield Parkway Interchange Ribbon-Cutting (Town of Leesburg)
*NVTA-Funded Project*
June 28, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.
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