Lack of cash could stall improvements to Fairfax corridor

Max Smith, wtop.com

With many drivers sitting in traffic, there are plans to make it easier to get up and down the Fairfax County Parkway, plans that could be scuttled by budget problems.

Several projects on the parkway have already been completed, or are near completion, like the Fair Lakes/Monument interchange. But Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Tom Biesiadny says there is a lot more that can be done.

“There’s definitely some additional interchanges that are on the comprehensive plan,” Biesiadny says.

And long-term plans call to widen the road to expand capacity. Bus service could also be added, he says.

“We would like at some point to add transit service along the Fairfax County Parkway. We think that’s a great market that we really haven’t had the opportunity to tap yet,” he adds.

“A lot of it boils down to funding, so that will be a major emphasis with the county in the General Assembly this year to try to secure some more funding to help us move the transportation projects forward,” Biesiadny says.

Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova says during the next 10 years, Fairfax County could be $300 million short on transportation funds a year, unless there are changes.

Other elected leaders have expressed similar concerns about the parkway’s future, even after a full-scale repaving.

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