Transportation Commission Meeting – June 22, 2026

The meeting began with a discussion of quorum issues; commissioners proceeded with presentations and discussions but deferred a vote on the Go Alex budget to the September meeting. Hillary Lower, Director of Transportation, presented the city's smart mobility program and related projects. A public hearing was held for the FY2027 Go Alex TMP budget and work plan, with no public testimony. Commissioner updates included departures and staffing challenges.

Discussion Items

• Smart Mobility Program Presentation: Hillary Lower outlined a five-layer strategy: foundation (fiber backbone, CCTV, traffic management center), connected infrastructure (adaptive signals, transit and emergency vehicle priority), smart applications (sensors, digital curb data), cloud intelligence (AI dashboards with Virginia Tech), and a virtual city layer (digital twin project). Projects include smart corridors under construction, smart signals for transit priority, digital curb management (curb data specification), Smart Scan pavement scanning (testing four companies), and the digital twin. Commissioners asked about coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, parking wayfinding, staff capacity to handle new data, and legislative opportunities (automated enforcement expansion) and challenges (autonomous vehicle preemption). Lower noted that while scanning technology can also detect work zones, the city is focused on integrating data into asset management systems. She emphasized that adaptive signals will not eliminate congestion but can manage it to deter cut-through traffic.
• Go Alex TMP Budget and Work Plan Public Hearing: Josh Attim presented the FY2027 budget. The fund balance as of July 1, 2026 is projected at $1.37 million (including $492,000 carryover from FY2025 and $877,000 in FY2026 contributions). Of that, approximately $558,000 is designated for small area plans (e.g., Braddock Road Metro Station $62,000). Proposed expenditures include $200,000 for neighborhood complete streets, $50,000 for development-specific requests, grant matches (fare-free WAMATA bus for students, travel training, bus stop improvements), and bike education classes (resuming in FY2027). Commissioners discussed the breakdown of funds and clarified that older TMPs may still operate shuttles (e.g., The Carlisle) but city-managed funds are not used for shuttles. No vote was taken; the commission will vote in September. Attim noted some expenditures may occur before September.

Key Outcomes

• No vote on Go Alex budget: Decision deferred to the September meeting.
• Public hearing opened and closed: Motion to open and later to close passed unanimously.
• Commissioner Casey announced departure: Stepping off the Traffic and Parking Board and Transportation Commission; Christian will replace.
• Commissioner Chris announced last meeting: Leaving city employment next week.
• Staffing updates: Several vacancies remain (Go Alex position, smart mobility, complete streets). The long-range plan update is postponed due to staffing shortages.

Commissioner Updates

• Jim: Dash bus charger groundbreaking at Alexandria West Transit Center on June 30; redevelopment of the Jenon plant (HRP) approved by city council with TIF funds.
• Melissa: Planning Commission approved Blocks B and C of the PRG redevelopment, which will introduce a shared street (Wunder) and improve the rail park. The project will also open a connection to Slater's Lane.
• Leslie: No update.
• Matthew: No update.
• Note: Commissioner expressed disappointment that the Traffic and Parking Board was not included in the Street Smart event at Holland Lane; suggested better coordination for future events.