Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a Comprehensive Plan Amendment known as Embark Richmond Highway. After two years of work, the amendment modifies the recommendations for the Richmond Highway Corridor with a goal of adding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from the Huntington Metro Station, down North Kings Highway to Richmond Highway, and terminating at Fort Belvoir. Ultimately the plan envisions a two-stop extension of Metro’s yellow line. The plan recommends increased density along the corridor in order to support BRT and includes recommendations on building heights, a grid of streets, multi-modal facilities, parks, and other public facilities around 9 proposed BRT station locations. The amendment provides the opportunity to revitalize an aging, car-centric thoroughfare that is best known for terrible traffic, low-budget motels, and car title loans.
VDOT has begun preliminary design work to widen a 3-mile stretch of Richmond Highway from Jeff Todd Way to Napper Road to accommodate the future BRT. VDOT plans to hold design public hearings in Fall 2018.
