1. Tolled I-66 ‘Express Lanes’ to open on expressed timeline
2. Simulated service for Silver Line Phase Two to begin next month but opening date uncertain
3. Business Coalition urges NOVA Transportation Authority to approve entire TransAction Plan
4. FAQ: NFIP Expires September 30, 2022
5. Draft Reston Comprehensive Plan outlines future of development, but some questions remain
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth and on Capitol Hill.
1. Tolled I-66 ‘Express Lanes’ to open on expressed timeline
Prince William County is about to get another corridor of high-occupancy toll lanes – this time cutting through Gainesville and Manassas. A 9-mile section of the tolled, Interstate 66 Express Lanes are expected to open sometime this coming weekend, with the target opening on Saturday, Sept. 10, Virginia Department of Transportation officials announced late last week. A new sign announcing the I-66 Express Lanes, a portion of which are set to open this weekend on or around Saturday, Sept. 10. The exact opening date had not yet been announced as of Wednesday, Sept. 7, and will depend on final, weather-dependent preparations, according to a VDOT news release.
2. Simulated service for Silver Line Phase Two to begin next month but opening date uncertain
Phase two of the long-awaited Silver Line is likely slated for a late fall opening. At a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board meeting today (Thursday), efforts are underway to complete safety and certification requirements, according to Theresa Impastato, WMATA’s executive vice president and chief safety officer. But an exact date remains uncertain.
3. Business Coalition urges NOVA Transportation Authority to approve entire TransAction Plan
The Northern Virginia Transportation Business Coalition – an alliance of 25 business and civic organizations from across Northern Virginia – is urging the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to approve the entire proposed project list for TransAction, the Authority's long-range transportation plan. The Authority’s plan includes 429 multimodal transportation projects worth a total of $75 billion. Every project in TransAction is a part of either a local or multi-jurisdictional transportation plan. Projects must be included in TransAction to be eligible for funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
4. FAQ: NFIP Expires September 30, 2022
Without Congressional action, the program will expire. See what this means for upcoming closings. Plus, steps your clients can take in the interim.
5. Draft Reston Comprehensive Plan outlines future of development, but some questions remain
After more than 50 meetings, Fairfax County will present draft amendments to Reston’s comprehensive plan at public meetings this fall, advancing the first major update to the planning document since 2015. The process kicked off in 2020 to determine how new development will impact the community, public infrastructure and growth-related issues. Reston has seen more than 50 rezoning applications since the last update in 2015, prompting concerns about growth management.