Alexandria lands $2.17 million in federal funds for school crossing safety upgrades
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved the grant today as part of a nearly $12.5 million package for seven Virginia projects
Alexandria will receive more than $2.17 million in federal funding to improve pedestrian safety near two of its public schools, following a vote today by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.
The board approved $2,172,769 for Alexandria’s Safe Routes to School Crossing Improvements Phase II project as part of a nearly $12.5 million federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program package covering fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The seven funded projects were selected from 16 applications submitted across Northern Virginia totaling more than $27.6 million in requests — meaning the panel had to turn away more than half of what was sought.
The Alexandria project, which was funded at its full requested amount, centers on improvements identified through Safe Routes to School walk audits at two city schools. Near George Washington Middle School, the work will add curb extensions with high-visibility crosswalks, shorten crossing distances and upgrade bus stops. Near Charles Barrett Elementary School, a curb extension and raised crosswalk will be added and a nearby slip lane will be removed. The changes are designed to strengthen connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods while making it safer for students to walk and access transit.
A selection panel made up of representatives from the District DOT, Maryland DOT and COG/TPB staff reviewed and scored applications on two tracks — a professional assessment worth up to 80 points and a regional criteria score worth up to 80 points — before jointly reaching consensus recommendations. Projects were evaluated on their ability to improve roadway safety, expand transportation options for non-drivers, support regional activity centers, increase access to high-capacity transit and serve low-income communities, among other criteria.
Alexandria’s allocation was the second largest among the seven approved projects. Following today’s board action, TPB staff will forward the approved projects to the Virginia Department of Transportation for inclusion in the Commonwealth’s Six-Year Improvement Program for Transportation. The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board is expected to consider additional Northern Virginia applications later this spring using statewide set-aside funds.
Additional information is available through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments at mwcog.org.