First Draft of Transportation’s Six-Year Improvement Program Plan
James River Train Bridge, Andre Eanes
What’s Happening?
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) recently shared their Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2030 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) draft plans with the Commonwealth Transportation Board. As required by law, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) allocates public funds to transportation projects over six-fiscal years, comprising the Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). The CTB updates these plans yearly to best prioritize funding transportation projects. The program allocates public funds to various transportation projects, including highway, road, rail, and public transit projects.
How Will This Affect Transportation Funding?
The draft plan allocates $6 billion of SYIP funds for rail and public transit projects, including:
- Public Transportation, including $3.5 million for GRTC to remain fare-free
- Washington Metro Area Transit Authority, providing continued funding for rail and public transit in the Washington metropolitan area
- Virginia Railway Express, separating it from public transportation funding and allocating about $16.8 million annually
- DRPT Rail, providing continued funding for rail transportation
- Transforming Rail in VA (VPRA), providing funding for rail expansion projects in Virginia
- Transit Ridership Incentive Program, including $15.8 million for passenger amenities and $1.3 million for public safety efforts
How to Support Public Transit Funding
The public is invited to provide comments on the draft plans. This is a great opportunity for communities to see what is planned to be funded in their areas and voice their thoughts on specific projects and the overall direction of transportation funding in Virginia.
VDOT and DPRT will be accepting public comments through May 20th on their draft Six-Year Improvement Plan. VDOT will be hosting in-person public hearings throughout the state on the draft plan through May 9th.
- Lynchburg: May 1st
- Hampton Roads: May 2nd
- Bristol: May 6th
- Salem: May 7th
- Culpeper: May 8th
- Fredericksburg: May 9th
DRPT will also be hosting additional public meetings on May 16th. Individuals may participate by providing comments virtually or attending DRPT’s in-person meetings in Richmond and Alexandria.