Virginia transportation improvement plan approved at $28.5B

The Virginia transportation improvement plan, approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, totals $28.5 billion and allocates project funding for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

Virginia transportation improvement plan project scope

Effective July 1, the Six-Year Improvement Program⁠ covers more than 4,300 projects across Virginia. It assigns funding to roads, bridges, rail infrastructure, transit systems, and bicycle and pedestrian paths. DRPT officials said the program is revised annually.

Across the six-year period, $930 million is planned for public transportation programs⁠. That amount includes support for Virginia Railway Express and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The plan also provides about $19.7 million in state funding for rail planning and freight-rail projects.

DRPT budget includes transit and rail funding

DRPT’s budget for fiscal year 2027 was set at more than $1.1 billion, with most of the money directed to transit services, according to DRPT officials. Nearly $931 million is assigned to transit initiatives, while $37.7 million is set aside for rail projects and $181.1 million is allocated to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

Context

The final FY 2027–2032 SYIP followed a staged state budget process, including a draft budget in December 2025, a preliminary six-year financial plan in February 2026 and public meetings in April–May 2026. The approved program rose from a draft total of $27.9 billion to $28.5 billion, with $21.1 billion assigned to highways and $7.4 billion to rail and public transportation. VDOT also lists new investments across public transportation, State of Good Repair bridge and paving programs, Revenue Sharing, Transportation Alternatives, and rail planning and freight-rail programs. (ctb.virginia.gov⁠)