Recent Blog Posts
Working Together Across the Region
It is no secret the Washington, DC Metropolitan region is one of the most traffic-congested areas in the country. While many Virginians choose to travel by rail to move about the region, it is important to offer a variety of modal options to get people to their destinations faster. But no one person, jurisdiction or agency can do it alone.
Created by the General Assembly in 2002, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) works with 
jurisdictions and agencies across the region to prioritize and fund regional multimodal transportation investments that will reduce congestion and improve mobility in Northern Virginia as a whole, rather than just one jurisdiction or locality. In a rapidly growing metropolitan area, it truly takes a collaborative effort that looks beyond jurisdictional lines, to reduce congestion and get people home to loved ones faster.
NVTA’s member jurisdictions, comprising the four counties and five cities in Northern Virginia, are eligible to apply for funding to be allocated to transportation projects impacting the entire region. These member jurisdictions include the Counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Prince William, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. In addition, the five largest towns in Northern Virginia (Towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville and Vienna), transit agencies such as VRE and Metro, and selected Commonwealth of Virginia/regional agencies such as Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), may also apply.
In fact, on July 9th, NVTA adopted the FY2020-2025 Six Year Program, the Authority’s fifth funding program and the most competitive to date. $1.44 billion in multimodal transportation funding was requested by 13 Northern Virginia localities and agencies, including VRE and DRPT, with $539 million in Authority regional revenues available. The Authority unanimously voted to fund 21 of the 41 transportation projects submitted for funding consideration, for full or partial funding. VRE was awarded $15.8 million in regional revenue funds for the VRE Crystal City Station Improvements Project.
Additionally, another railway project in Northern Virginia, the Franconia-Springfield Passenger Rail Bypass, sponsored by DRPT, was awarded $22,958,821 in partial funding. Through the new funding Program, and four previously adopted funding programs, the Authority is investing more than $243 million in regionally significant rail projects located in Northern Virginia, benefitting the region at large.
From the counties and cities that make up the Northern Virginia region, to transportation and transit agencies, to advocacy groups, to the business community, to the citizens the Authority serves, NVTA thanks everyone involved for making this milestone happen. Through a collaborative and regional approach, together we’re addressing the region’s traffic woes and moving Northern Virginians forward.
- Operation Lifesaver Infographic
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Track Safety: Learn the facts. Exercise judgement. Teach others.
It is not only dangerous to walk on train tracks, it is also ILLEGAL. Trains are quieter than ever, and always move faster than they appear.
- Head Phones & Announcements
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We understand that riders wish to be as comfortable as they can while riding our trains. But remember, train announcements are there for a reason and if you hear them playing, you may wish to take a second and listen. If you do wear headphones, please keep a few things in mind ...
- Rippon and the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
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Recent construction at the Rippon station to allow public access to a wildlife refuge has been completed. The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent to this VRE station, is a National Wildlife Refuge established with the purpose to protect the features of a contiguous wetlands area.
- The Circus Train
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Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up and witness the final bow to what was once the greatest ride on Earth! The Circus Train! The RBBX circus trains were more than one mile in length and consisted of 60 railroad cars, which is the equivalent of 120 trucks.
- Feet on the Floor
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The next time you’re out walking, pay attention to what you are walking on. You just might notice that the ground isn’t exactly clean, with the mud, grass, wet leaves, gum, glass, and general yuck.