Alexandria Transportation Commission Summary for October 22, 2026

The Alexandria Transportation Commission convened on October 22, 2026, to receive updates on the Duke Street Land Use Plan’s mobility chapter, deliberate on fiscal 2028 budget priorities, and share updates from various city boards and commissions. The meeting featured discussions on regional transit funding, traffic management, and long-term planning for the Duke Street corridor.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from its September 2026 meeting by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public were present in the room or online. No public comment was received.

Discussion Items

Duke Street Land Use Plan Mobility Chapter

• Staff from the Neighborhood Planning division (Christian Brandt, Michael) and Transportation Department (Sarah Brantbro) presented the draft mobility chapter of the Duke Street Land Use Plan. The plan area stretches from Alexandria Union Station to Van Dorn Street.
• Community Engagement: Over 70 pop-ups were held, along with contact with 250 businesses, over 4,000 residents, and roughly 100 ACPS students.
• Traffic Analysis: The corridor sees 30–40% regional through traffic between Quaker and Telegraph Roads. The 20-year traffic study found the planned density would not significantly increase traffic, drawing a comparison to Potomac Yard where added development coincided with reduced traffic on Richmond Highway.
• Transitway: The Duke Street Transitway is in the design phase, with construction anticipated around 2028. The plan concentrates density around planned transit stops.
• Safety and Infrastructure: The plan proposes a future street grid for redeveloped sites with wider sidewalks, on-street bike lanes, and multi-use paths. Areas identified for future safety study include the intersections of Holmes Run and Van Dorn, and Cambridge and Roth, and multimodal improvements along Wheeler Avenue.
• Shade as an Equity Issue: Commissioner Melissa McMahon argued that shade along Duke Street is an equity issue rather than an amenity, urging that cross sections include sufficiently large soil volumes to support mature tree canopies to mitigate the heat island effect.
• Regional Connectivity: Staff noted the transitway could connect with future BRT systems, such as the Fairfax County Route 7 BRT. Commissioner Dan inquired about coordination with the 395 interchange project and VDOT to address local traffic impacts on the corridor.
• Process and Next Steps: Chair Dan noted the item should have been a public hearing and was not properly noticed; thus, no vote was taken. A letter endorsing the plan will be brought forward for a vote at the November 2026 meeting. The public comment period remains open until November 13, 2026.
• Date Discrepancy: The public notice read at the start of the meeting referred to the “October 21st, 2026 meeting of the Transportation Commission,” while definitive meeting documentation provided to the AI specifies October 22, 2026.

Fiscal 2028 Budget Priorities

• Commissioners reviewed the City Manager’s stated focus areas for the FY2028 budget: employee retention, youth and education, public safety, eliminating community disparities, stable affordable housing, CIP debt, and diversifying the tax base.
• Top Priorities Identified:
  1. Sustainable, ongoing funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and regional transit support.
  2. Maintaining funding for DASH transit services; a recent accounting error demonstrates the system requires higher investment than previously allocated to maintain current service levels.
  3. Sustained investment in Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School programs as essential alternatives to driving amid economic pressures and high fuel prices.
• Funding Solutions: Commissioners discussed several avenues to support priorities, including the state-permitted penny sales tax option and automated traffic enforcement revenue. Councilman Chapman advised against specifying a tax increase in the November letter, recommending it instead encourage the city to “look at all the available tools on the table.”
• Advocacy Role: Commissioners expressed interest in having the Transportation Commission directly advocate for these priorities with state and regional bodies, coordinating with city council’s legislative agenda.
• Next Steps: Staff will draft a letter for the November 2026 meeting summarizing these priorities and the call to explore all funding tools. The letter is due to the City Manager by November 20, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• September Minutes Approved: The minutes were approved by voice vote.
• Duke Street Endorsement Deferred: The vote on an endorsement letter was deferred to the November meeting to allow for proper noticing. Staff will update the draft letter to reflect the meeting’s discussion.
• Budget Letter in Development: A letter outlining FY2028 budget priorities (WMATA, DASH, Complete Streets/Safe Routes to School, funding flexibility) will be drafted and presented at the November meeting for approval before the November 20 submission deadline.
• Meeting Format Change: The Commission agreed in principle to conduct the December 16, 2026 meeting fully virtually due to the holiday season.
• Future Advocacy: Commissioners sought to formalize the Transportation Commission’s ability to advocate for city transportation priorities at the state and regional level with city council support.

Commissioner Updates & Other Business

• Environmental Policy Commission (EPC): Commissioner Dan met with EPC Chair Mark Deshans to discuss potential joint letters on EV sidewalk charging, the flood resilience plan, and the NOVA hospital construction engagement.
• Youth Recruitment: The Commission discussed challenges in filling its young adult (18–30) seat. Suggestions included outreach to ACPS government teachers, NOVA’s student body, the Chamber’s Young Leaders Network, and city council-hosted youth forums.
• DASH Service Survey: Commissioner Dan noted an open public input survey on potential DASH service reductions (closes November 10) ahead of a November public hearing.
• Traffic Violence Remembrance: Commissioner Kristen Phelps announced the Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Traffic Violence on November 15, 2026, at Woodson High School.
• West End Open House: An upcoming city open house will highlight street and infrastructure projects on the West End, with 34 staff members available to answer public questions.