Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Summary
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is a regional body that funds and coordinates transportation projects across Northern Virginia, including surface transportation grants, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) planning, and concession funding recommendations. The City of Fairfax has an ongoing relationship with NVTA across several workstreams. On December 10, 2024, the City Council unanimously approved (6-0) a submission to NVTA for $1,000,000 in FY 25-30 Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding. On November 18, 2025, the Council again unanimously approved a submission to NVTA for $1,000,000 in FY 27-32 RSTP funding. Separately, NVTA developed a Bus Rapid Transit Action Plan identifying 28 corridors across Northern Virginia; the NVTA Planning Coordination Advisory Committee was scheduled to vote on endorsing this plan on June 25, 2025, and NVTA CEO Monica Backman later presented the plan to the City, noting NVTA has invested $5 billion regionally, including $125 million in the City of Fairfax. A more contentious matter involved $4,600,000 in Transform 66 Outside the Beltway concession funding for the George Snyder Trail: NVTA recommended approval to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on November 13, 2025, the CTB approved it on January 6, 2026, but the City Council's corresponding supplemental appropriation resolution failed on a 3-3 tie vote on January 13, 2026.
Open questions & options on the table
- Whether the City will bring back or reconsider the failed $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation, given that NVTA and CTB approvals are already in place and the funding remains available.
- Whether any BRT corridors from NVTA's 28-corridor Action Plan will be advanced through or within the City of Fairfax, and what the City's role in that planning will be.
- Whether the City's legislative program language will be updated to align with the DMV MOVES/SJ28 framework referencing NVTA and WMATA funding, as staff was recommending a revision as of December 2025.
What members have said
Councilmember Peterson briefed the Council on June 24, 2025 about the NVTA BRT Action Plan, noting the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee would vote on endorsement the following day and that the plan includes the City of Fairfax. Peterson voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation. A colleague noted at the February 10, 2026 meeting that Peterson may have more detailed knowledge of the BRT corridor specifics than other members.
Voted 'yes' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.
Voted 'yes' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.
Voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.
Voted 'yes' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.
Voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[7c] The City's submission to NVTA for $1,000,000 in FY 25-30 Regional Surface Transportation Program funding was approved.
[5a] NVTA's Planning Coordination Advisory Committee meeting on June 25, 2025 at 2600 Park Tower Drive, Suite 601, Vienna, VA was noted as the venue for the BRT Action Plan endorsement vote.
[6f] The City approved its submission to NVTA for $1,000,000 in FY 27-32 Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding.
[7e] Staff noted that NVTA recommended approval of the $4.6 million funding request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board on November 13, and the CTB approved it on January 6, 2026, prior to the failed City Council vote.
failedApprove the supplemental appropriation resolution in the amount of $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail✓ Amos✓ Bates✕ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✕ Peterson