Our Mission

Performance-Based Prioritization

All transportation projects and investments are not equal and should not be treated as such. The Commonwealth of Virginia operates the nation’s third largest state highway network (60,000 miles). The metropolitan Washington region and Northern Virginia rank #1 nationally in traffic congestion. The state, region and sub-region have lists of hundreds of transportation projects (wants), but no short lists of performance based priorities (most important needs).

For over a quarter century the Alliance’s focus has been on those transportation investments that will move the most people in a cost effective manner and provide a regional framework to support intelligent land use decisions.

Goals & Policies

The Alliance is focused on developing, funding with new reliable sources and implementing  a performance-based, multi-modal plan for the expansion of our transportation infrastructure while maintaining our current transportation investments.

In keeping with that mission, we have the following overarching transportation goals and policies.

Adopt a Regionally Focused, Prioritized Transportation Plan for Northern Virginia

• Regionally Focused Planning – Encourage the public agencies to develop and adopt transportation plans that are regional in focus – that serve the current and future needs of the region including the recognition of external traffic desiring to pass through or around the region, and move the most people in the most time-efficient manner with the least amount of congestion
• Performance Based Prioritization – Support preparation of a prioritized, multi-modal, regional transportation plan based upon performance measures such as the ability to improve travel times, reduce congestion, connect communities and activity centers, and move the most people and goods in the most cost-effective manner
• Airport Accessibility & Capacity – Support improved access to Washington Dulles International Airport to ensure the airport is able to meet projected passenger and freight demands. Support the Dulles Development Plan (D2) to full completion.
• Regional Security – Require federal, state and regional officials to prepare and fund a package of security-related transportation projects to facilitate activity center evacuation and emergency response mobility in the wake of a homeland security emergency
• Transportation Oriented Development – Support land use policies that encourage higher density, mixed use development near major transportation corridors and public transit hubs to maximize past and future transportation investments

Establish Reliable & Sustainable Funding

• Allocation Formula Equity – Adjust the state funding formula to provide greater equity to Northern Virginian
• Regional & Statewide Funding Sources – Ensure the sufficiency of regional funding and work to increase sustained state funding for maintenance and construction
• Transportation Trust Fund – Restore public confidence with a protective constitutional amendment or other legislative measures to prevent diversion of transportation revenues from construction or maintenance

Protect & Advance Future Options

• Strategic Right of Way Preservation – Support the Commonwealth taking a more aggressive role in identifying and protecting new regional and interstate transportation corridors
• High Occupancy/Toll (HOT) Lanes – Support appropriate use of HOT Lanes at the regional and state level, providing resources necessary for VDOT to efficiently evaluate and implement proposals, keeping tolls at reasonable levels and requiring the state to ensure facility designs meet overall transportation network needs.