The Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is moving forward and acquisition of properties to make room for the initiative will start soon, according to Fairfax County officials.
The BRT Project is the planning and building of a new transportation system from the Huntington Metro to Fort Belvoir that could include as many as nine stops along the way. Enhanced amenities for those biking and walking along the highway will also be constructed as part of the development.
The project is divided into two sections: Section I runs down Richmond Highway from the Huntington Metro to Gum Springs, and Section II runs from Gum Springs to Fort Belvoir.
The project is currently wrapping up the submission of an environmental report that is expected to be approved by the Federal Transit Administration this winter. The designs for the project are approximately 30 percent complete. The design phase is expected to last through 2023. Construction of utilities could begin in 2023 with completion of the bus lanes and stations for revenue service not expected until 2030.
The Right of Way Acquisition process, which is how the County will obtain property along Richmond Highway that is necessary for the building of the BRT project, is slated to begin soon and was the main topic of an Oct. 20 virtual meeting with community members.
The first group of affected property owners will start receiving letters in February 2021.
As many as 225 properties along Richmond Highway will be affected by the process through complete or partial acquisition. Fairfax County will be required to pay “just compensation” to affected property owners. Anybody affected by the Right of Way Acquisition Process is encouraged to read A Guide for Property Owners and Tenants and email the County for more specific information at DOTBRT@fairfaxcounty.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be conducting a widening of Richmond Highway in conjunction with the BRT project. The widening will create extra driving lanes in addition to the center bus lane. This project is separate from the BRT project and more information can be found here.
Future public meetings to provide updates on the BRT project are scheduled for November and December. The November meetings will address station design while the December meetings will deal with BRT branding. Find out more about the Richmond Highway BRT project and sign up for email updates at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/richmond-hwy-brt.
