On December 17, 2024, Jeff McKay, the Chair of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, wrote to the MCA in response to a resolution the MCA passed in November 2024 asking the County to establish a dedicated funding program for active transportation projects, e.g., non-motorized, self-propelled, transportation such as walking and biking.
Chair McKay advised that he was "committed to working with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, including the Dranesville District Supervisor, and the community to develop a budget that invests in our community’s priorities in light of the challenging fiscal environment" and acknowledged that "[i]nvestments in advancing active transportation across the County are of great value."
The MCA's resolution expressed concern about inadequate Fairfax County funds to pay for needed infrastructure improvement projects related to active transportation. Fairfax County has identified hundreds of high-priority active transportation projects in need of funding. However, in the past few years, the County has spent only a small fraction of its transportation budget for such projects. As a result, the County has only funded a limited number of high priority projects, putting school children, other pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk due to incomplete and unsafe sidewalks, trails and crosswalks.
On November 6, 2024, the MCA Board of Directors passed a resolution that urges the County to establish a dedicated funding process to ensure adequate construction of needed active transportation infrastructure projects, consistent with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. If needed, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BoS) should hold a bond referendum for the 2026 election cycle that includes funding dedicated solely towards active transportation projects. Such a bond would help ensure Fairfax County can meet its goal of creating a safer, more connected, and pedestrian and bicyclist-friendly environment.
To see the resolution, please click here: 2024-11-06-TR-Resolution Supporting Funding For Active Transportation