TAGS supports a variety of initiatives that have an impact on the Greater Springfield community.

Legislative Priorities and Government Advocacy

Greater Springfield is just emerging from the Springfield Interchange road project, one of the largest highway construction projects in the U.S., having a price tag of $676 million.

Just as Greater Springfield is breathing a sigh of relief, the Pentagon’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) announced that it will be relocating employees to Ft. Belvoir and the Engineer Proving Grounds (EPG). TAGS is working to educate businesses and residents and involve them in the planning process to help insure that a balanced transportation network is included in the final BRAC plans for EPG: bus and rail service, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and ridesharing, to name few.  Most importantly, we are your voice to ensure that Greater Springfield’s transportation issues are adequately represented. We will continue to study and ascertain our community’s transportation needs and advocate the best course of action.

TAGS has been engaged in a grass roots initiative to campaign for much needed dedicated funding for transportation in Northern Virgina. After years of work to boost transit funding, the transit community has much to celebrate at the conclusion of the '07 Virginia General Assembly legislative session. Transit was definitely a major winner in the package. The first significant transportation funding package for Virginia in more than 20 years was passed after legislative approval of Gov. Tim Kaine's amendments to transportation funding bill, HB 3202.

The legislation authorizes $3 billion in transportation bonds for statewide construction projects, as well as regional funding plans for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia that could raise $200 and $400 million a year, respectively. If all the bill's funding mechanisms are implemented it would result in more than $1 billion a year for transportation.

Though the passage of the transportation funding bill is a significant step in moving Virginia forward, it is only the beginning. As recognized by many of the legislators that supported HB 3202, the legislation does not solve Virginia's long-term highway maintenance, secondary and urban road, or rail needs. TAGS will continue its efforts in the pursuit of a statewide, long-term transportation funding solution that will improve the quality of life for all Virginians.

“Connections Springfield” - TAGS participated in a research initiative conducted by the Urban Land Institute. Among many other things, the study reviewed proposals for transportation changes and enhancement in Central Springfield including those associated with KSI Midtown Springfield, the Springfield Mall revitalization and BRAC. View results of study.

Projects of interest to our community

Completion of Fairfax County Parkway
TAGS fully supports any innovative solution which will allow for the successful completion of the Fairfax County Parkway project. The construction and completion of the Fairfax County Parkway is critical to the effective functioning of traffic flow in the Greater Springfield area and the overall Northern Virginia multi-modal transportation solution today and in the future

Bus Stop Map/Route Project - Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is currently installing information guides at selected bus stops in the Greater Springfield area. These guides feature a map that shows the location of that specific stop and the bus routes that are available in the immediate area. Look for the guides in bright yellow frames that will be installed on bus stop sign poles during March. In addition, Fairfax County is working with WMATA (Metrobus and Metrorail) to coordinate the future installation of additional information guides at Metrorail stations and selected on-street shelters throughout the County.

Pedestrian Task Force for Pedestrian Safety Study – Fairfax County
The final report is the result of more than a year of work by the task force to fulfill its mission to develop a plan for implementing safe and effective pedestrian facilities and a coordinated and collaborative education/outreach program.

Regional Bus Stop Improvement Project – WMATA
Strategies for this project will develop/implement upgrades within MetroRail system to improve MetroBus information levels, examine bus stop amenities, and establish regional standards for upgrading bus stops. Read Final Report (PDF)