A two-year program outlines priorities for projects over the next 2-10 years. The funding application cycle is a long process in Virginia, and in order to be considered for many sources of public funding allocated in one, two or even six years, the City has to apply now. While we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of planning, we also do not want to miss the opportunity to receive public dollars for important projects.

The City is developing a list of transportation projects that we are interested in submitting for funding consideration that includes bicycle, pedestrian, trail, transit, intersection, and roadway projects. We are collecting feedback to prioritize new regional projects eligible for regional funding. This includes funding needed to complete ongoing projects as well as funding for new projects. However, the City will also prioritize local funding for local projects and will pursue funding needed to complete ongoing projects.

We need to think strategically about what projects will help improve livability in the City and make our commutes more predictable. Since it can take several years to fund and construct a project, we also need to think about what we might need in in the future.

As we think about this program, consider the facts below:

	The region is expected to grow by more than 1 million people in the next 20 years.
	Traffic in northern Virginia is already congested, and more than 68,000 trips pass through Fairfax each day.
	We have limited space and cannot expect to build our way out of congestion but can make improvements to provide more options and increase the reliability of our roadway system.
	Around 20% of trips in the region involve commuting; the rest involve trips to help us meet our other daily needs, such as shopping, socializing, and running errands. Some projects may improve our commutes but others could help with the rest of our trips.
	Around 1/3 of all trips in the region are less than a mile, and currently more than half of these short trips are driven. Some projects could provide more options to walk, bike, or take transit for these short trips instead of requiring a car.

As we develop the next two-year program we will consider these and other factors in our project prioritization.

There are many different sources of transportation funds. Each has different specifications such as:

• Project eligibility requirements
• Application timelines (annual, biannual)
• Funding available (1, 2, 6 or 7 years in the future)
• Local match requirement
• Complexity of application
• Source of funds (federal, state, regional)
• Funding maximum

At right is a graphic illustrating the two-year timeline for transportation funding (click the image to expand).

Some funding applications occur annually; others occur bi-annually. Funding applications that are due in odd calendar years are shown on the top half of the circle, and applications due in even calendar years are shown on the bottom half of the circle. Each funding source is represented by a unique color band. Hatching at the start of the band indicates the application period. The band ends when the funding allocations are final. The asterisks indicate when the City Council resolution of support is required for each application (if applicable).

The Transportation Funding Overview chart below provides more detailed information about the funding sources and is color coded to match the timeline graphic. (Click the image to expand.)

• City Council Work Session: April 23, 2019
• City Council Work Session: June 25, 2019
• City Council Work Session: April 20, 2021 
• City Council Work Session: June 1, 2021 
• Adopted FY2022-FY2023 Two Year Transportation Program Project List (June 22, 2021) 
• City Council Work Session: March 14, 2023 
• City Council Work Session: June 6, 2023
• City Council Meeting: June 13, 2023