$100 Million for VRE for Franconia-Springfield Bypass
The Federal Railroad Administration announced recently that it will advance more than $1.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority will receive up to $100 million to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, a critical bridge that will alleviate congestion on one of busiest railways in Virginia.
In the meantime, the comment period for a proposed increase to Virginia Railway Express (VRE) fares, and other components of the rail service’s preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget (https://bit.ly/3Qa0N1T), is open and runs through 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.
VRE’s draft FY 2025 operating budget totals $119.9 million, which includes operations, maintenance, and existing debt service. This is an increase of $11 million or 10 percent over the approved FY 2024 operating budget. The budget includes increases to fares of 5 percent and the jurisdictional subsidy of 14 percent. VRE’s last broad-based fare increase was 3 percent in FY 2020.
The proposed budget provides for the first-ever operation of VRE weekend service. It also includes proposals to allow children 18 and under to ride free, make permanent the current $5 fare for travel between zones 1, 2 and 3, and simplify fare payment.
Individuals interested in providing comment may do so at the in-person public hearing on Oct. 26 in Fredericksburg, or via mail, email, telephone or fax. Public hearings are scheduled for:
Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6-7 p.m., Fredericksburg City Hall (walking distance from VRE’s Fredericksburg station), 715 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Dates for two other in person hearings have passed.
A virtual public presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 12-1 p.m. via VRE’s YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/3PQDCcv)
The VRE Operations Board will vote to refer the FY 2025 budget to the rail service’s two parent commissions on Friday, Dec. 15. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission’s boards will vote to adopt the proposed budget at their January 2024 meetings. If the budget as currently proposed is approved, a 5 percent fare increase would take effect Monday, July 1, 2024. The inauguration of weekend service would be dependent on agreements to be worked out with VRE’s three host railroads.
VRE connects Central and Northern Virginia with the District of Columbia. Additional information is available at www.vre.org.
Public comment may also be provided by:
Mail: VRE FY 2025 Budget Public Comment, 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, VA 22314
Email: publiccomment@vre.org
Telephone: 540-524-2662
Fax: 703-684-1313
Different Kind of Sticker Shock
Saturday, Oct. 21, the City of Alexandria will “shock” local shoppers with the Project Sticker Shock Campaign. This youth-led event will kick off with a press conference at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) at 10 a.m. featuring youth and community leaders speaking about preventing underage alcohol access.
Following the press conference, teams of youth and adults will place warning stickers, provided by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, on multi-packs of alcohol to highlight the legal consequences of providing alcohol to anyone under 21. Participating retail stores will receive a certificate in recognition of their partnership.
This campaign aims to reach community members ages 21 and older who might purchase alcohol for a person under age 21 – also referred to as a second-party sale. If a retail employee observes activity of a second party, such as passing of money, participation in selection, or bringing the alcohol to the counter, ID should be requested of the second party.
In Virginia, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to provide alcohol to a minor. Adults can face the following penalties upon conviction: a $2,500 fine per young person provided an alcoholic beverage; up to 12 months in jail; loss of the driver’s license for up to 12 months.
This event is hosted by the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA), the Alexandria Police Department; the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; the Department of Community and Human Services; the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities; and the Alexandria City High School U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC).
Visit alexandriava.gov/SAPCA to learn more.
Mental Health First Aid Training Available Online
Mental Health First Aid training teaches the initial help given to a person showing signs of a mental health crisis. City of Alexandria residents and employees can complete the two-session eight-hour course virtually to earn a MHFA certification. Sessions will be held on Nov. 13 and 14, and on Dec. 13 and 14.
The course teaches risk factors, warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders; the effects of the illnesses and an overview of treatments; and a five-step action plan for helping someone with symptoms.
This training does not prepare someone to diagnose or provide treatment. It is designed to help paraprofessionals and laypersons provide support until an individual is linked to professional resources. Mental Health First Aid is not recommended for licensed mental health providers.
Registration is open until filled. Visit alexandriava.gov/DCHS to register. To learn more about MHFA, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
Walkathon for Access to Higher Education
The 24th Annual Project Discovery Walkathon at Fort Ward Park (4301 W Braddock Rd.) is on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Based at Alexandria City High School and the Minnie Howard 9th Grade Center, Project Discovery prepares and motivates low income and first-generation college-eligible students to access opportunities in higher education. Through workshops and trips to college campuses, Project Discovery provides vital information about how to set and achieve educational goals.
Walkathon registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a warm-up at 9 a.m. followed shortly after by the walk. Both individuals and teams can sign up to participate. All proceeds go to Project Discovery Alexandria. This is a pet-friendly event, co-sponsored by Your Dog’s Best Friend, and will include raffle prizes. Organizations are invited to register to serve as exhibitors.
The Walkathon is one of Project Discovery’s biggest fundraisers of the year. The program is supported by the Project Discovery Advisory Board whose mission is to raise funds, promote community involvement, and foster positive public relations.
To sign up or donate, visit the Project Discovery Pledge Sign-Up webpage. Registration and donation opportunities will also be available the day of the event.
For more information, call Tashana Pulliam at 571.645.1942 or visit alexandriava.gov/ProjectDiscovery.
Bring Questions, Concerns for City Council to Upcoming Town Hall
The second in a series of City Council Town Halls is Saturday, Oct. 21. Mayor Justin Wilson and members of City Council will be present to address the questions, concerns and feedback submitted by community members. Questions can be submitted in advance through the registration form or in person at the event via question cards, which will allow Council time to respond to as many questions as possible.
The Town Hall will take place at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.) on Saturday, October 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is strongly encouraged.
Register for the Curbside Food Waste Composting Pilot
Residents receiving City trash and recycling services can register for the Curbside Food Waste Composting Pilot. This eco-friendly program was launched in the spring of this year, aimed to reduce and compost food waste, generate finished compost, and promote sustainability.
In spring of 2023, the City of Alexandria was selected by the USDA as one of the 2023 Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreement recipients. With this federal funding support, the City has been piloting a food waste composting program for residents receiving City trash and recycling services. This program is separate from yard waste collections, and participants have been composting food waste at the curb every week.
Registration for the pilot program is open to residents. As part of this program, the City has also been conducting a Food Waste Reduction outreach campaign to provide residents with everyday tips to reduce food waste.
For residents who are not receiving City trash and recycling service, free farmers' market composting services is available to everyone. There are six locations in the City with the newest farmers’ market addition at the Southern Towers Farmers’ Market.
For additional information and how to register for the Curbside Composting Pilot, Farmers’ Market Composting, and Food Waste Reduction Tips, visit alexandriava.gov/FoodWaste.