Engineering and construction firms STV and RK&K have joined to provide program management consulting for the proposed Fairfax County bus rapid transit (BRT) system serving the Richmond Highway Route 1 corridor.
STV and RK&K aim to consult on the development of station, vehicle, and guideway design, as well as prepare a financial implementation program.
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The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation conducted the Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis in 2015, signalling a need for major improvement projects on the Richmond Highway over the next 10 to 25 years.
The bus rapid transit project is among the first wave of improvements, working to connect approximately 2,000 households located within half a mile of the Richmond Highway without an automobile. The BRT is planned to connect to major employment and shopping centers, as well as residential areas. Proposed amenities include pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.
The amount of stations that will be placed along the Richmond Highway has yet to be determined, pending completion of environmental and design phases of the project, and may be subject to public input.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.