Alexandria Transportation Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026

The Transportation Commission convened on March 19, 2026, in a hybrid format at 2900 Business Center Drive and via Zoom. The meeting covered public comments, approval of previous minutes, a discussion of the proposed FY 2027 city budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a presentation on the 2025 Alexandria Moves transportation survey, approval of the 2026 annual work plan, and updates from commissioners. Key themes included pedestrian safety, bicycle infrastructure, transit funding, and snow removal.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the January 21, 2026 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Avarelle Talbot expressed concerns about inadequate lighting along Duke Street and requested better bicycle paths connecting the King Street Metro and Old Town Alexandria. She was aware of the Duke Street Transitway project but sought broader discussion.
• Carolyn Mohan (neighbor of Ms. Talbot) expressed confusion about the Duke Street Transitway (local vs. express bus service) and the Duke and Telegraph intersection changes. She uses Dash bus and walking for most trips and was unclear if local bus routes (e.g., Dash 30) would continue. Staff clarified that the Transitway is under engineering design, with bus lanes in the center, and that a public meeting on the Duke/West Taylor Run project is upcoming.

Discussion Items

• FY 2027 Operating Budget & FY 2027-2036 CIP: Staff presented the city manager's proposed budget (approximately $1 billion operating, $2 billion CIP). Key transportation highlights: increased Dash funding (for Eisenhower Avenue line 3+1 and collective bargaining), an 11% increase in WMATA operations funding (attributed to a calculation error from previous years), $14.5M for complete streets, $8.5M for safe routes to school, $9M for sidewalk maintenance, $67M for street reconstruction, and $192M for WMATA capital. A principal planner position that has been vacant since August (and effectively since May) was eliminated. Commissioners discussed snow removal funding (noting sidewalks and bike lanes were not cleared in a timely manner after recent snowstorms) and suggested frontloading safety spending. They also expressed concern about vacancies hampering project execution. The commission authorized the chair to draft and sign a letter reflecting the discussion to be sent to city council before the April 18 tax rate hearing.
• Alexandria Moves Transition Survey (2025 Results): Carson Lucarelli presented the biennial transportation survey by Polco. Key findings: work-from-home dropped from 40% (2021) to lower levels; Metro Rail and walking are up; bus use is recovering; biking (personal) has declined 20% since 2016 possibly due to Capital Bikeshare growth; 90% of residents know Dash is free, but only 18% are aware of Go Alex. Barriers across modes include safety, lighting, directness of routes, and frequency. School transportation trends show fewer students walking and more being driven. Commissioners questioned the grouping of active transportation modes, the timing of the survey (Nov-Dec, which may overemphasize lighting needs), and the sampling methodology. They suggested better categorizing bike share/e-scooters and refining survey headers.
• FY 2026 Annual Work Plan and Commission Calendar: Staff presented a revised calendar based on prior feedback, moving Vision Zero, complete streets, and safe routes to school to November to avoid conflicts. The Long-Range Planning (LRP) item was postponed due to staff vacancies. The commission approved the revised calendar unanimously after adjusting colors.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Letter: Motion carried to authorize the chair to draft and sign a letter to city council conveying the commission's budget perspectives (safety frontloading, snow removal funding, principal planner position restoration, and appreciation for stable WMATA contributions). The letter will be sent before the April public hearings.
• Annual Work Plan: Approved unanimously with edits.
• Transportation Survey: No formal action; input will be used for future survey refinements.
• Election of Officers: Postponed to the next meeting (April) to allow current members to vote; new commissioners expected in May/June, but decision made to proceed with election for continuity.
• Commissioner Updates: Traffic and Parking Board approved Braddock Road bike lanes (6-0) but it has been appealed to city council (likely May hearing). Planning commission discussed housing 2040 parking requirements (commissioner advocated for eliminating parking minimums). State legislative news: Virginia did not pass DMV Moves transit funding bills, but D.C. and Maryland did; Virginia budget still under development.