Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board recently approved $5.5 million in federal funding for roadside and path improvements in Northern Virginia.
The state received more than $17 million from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program for 89 projects, 15 of which were in Northern Virginia, said Ryan Hall, a Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman.
Fairfax County Park Authority’s Cross County Trail received the highest allocation of $435,000 toward a $2.2 million trail rerouting project between Lake Accotink to Hunter Village Drive.
The steep trail would be better aligned for Springfield-Franconia Metro station customers, made more accessible during all types of weather and moved into the woods, farther from neighboring homes, said Judith Pederson, a Fairfax County Park Authority spokeswoman.
Rippon Lodge and Ben Lomond’s estate received funding for landscaping and trails, said Brendon Hanafin, Prince William County’s historic preservation chief.
Trails will connect various buildings within Rippon Lodge, which received $5,000 and will connect the site to the Potomac National Heritage Trail, Hanafin said. Stone walls and historic roads through the Lomond property will be recreated with the $76,000 award, he said.
Chapman’s Mill, known locally as Beverley Mill, received $300,000 in funding for landscaping, trails and public facilities.
“The $300,000 is going to enable us to do the site development for the eastern side of the mill, and we’ll be able to open to the public,” said Ellen Percymiller, executive director of the mill’s renovation campaign.
The mill, the world’s tallest stone structure at seven stories, has been closed to the public since 1952.
Roadside Funding
» Arlington: Child and Adult Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Classes and Brochure; project total $50,000; received $40,000 award
» Fairfax: Mason Neck Trail extended between Gunston Hall Plantation to Pohick Bay Regional Park; project total $1,630,000; received $272,000 award
» Prince William: Pedestrian paths in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center; project total $930,000; received $250,000 award
» Prince William: Surveying and archaeology of Buckland’s roads and roadhouses; project total $426,500; received $147,000 award
» Haymarket: Brick sidewalks, street lights, bicycle lanes and landscaping on Washington Street between Madison Street and the town’s east end; project total $1,692,000; received $210,000 award
