WMATA rail station projects recommended for Smart Scale funds

Eight northern Virginia transit projects — including two related to rail — have been recommended for funding under Virginia's Smart Scale program.

The bus, bike, pedestrian and rail projects could receive a combined $183.9 million in funding if the Commonwealth Transportation Board adopts staff recommendations, according to a press release issued by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).

One project calls for construction of a second entrance to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) Crystal City Metrorail Station in Arlington. The $90.8 million project could receive $52.9 million in Smart Scale funds. The new entrance would be situated at the northwest corner of the Crystal Drive and 18th Street South intersection.

Another project calls for the creation of a new transit plaza at South Washington Street and Hillwood Avenue in Falls Church. The plaza would support multimodal transportation options, increase pedestrian accessibility, and connect the area to the city's center and WMATA's East Falls Church Metrorail Station. NVTC staff recommended $2.8 million in Smart Scale funds for the $9 million project.

The Smart Scale program scores transit and highway projects based on an objective, outcome-based process. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold public hearings on the proposed projects before voting on the funding recommendations in late spring, NVTC officials said.