Evaluation Process

NVTA selects and approves multimodal transportation projects, including roadway expansions, transit enhancements, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure, through a comprehensive process that includes eligibility review, data-driven analysis, and public input. 

 Application

Call for Regional Transportation Projects (CfRTP)

During the application phase, Northern Virginia jurisdictions and agencies are invited to apply for NVTA Regional Revenue funds. Eligible applicants include the region’s counties, cities, five largest towns (with a population of 3,500 or more), transit agencies and other state/regional governmental entities. Individual applicants are encouraged to follow their own local processes for selecting candidate projects and determining how much funding to request. This may include coordinating with other jurisdictions/agencies depending on project location.  

The CfRTP encourages applicants to consider regional transportation projects that reduce congestion, increase accessibility and improve resiliency. In anticipation of a large funding request, NVTA encourages applicants to highlight how well their candidate projects complement one another and those in adjacent jurisdictions. Applicants are encouraged to highlight how their candidate projects will align with NVTA’s Core Values of Safety, Equity and Sustainability.  All projects considered for Regional Revenues are subject to a comprehensive evaluation process that uses multiple inputs and does not rely on a single metric. 

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Verification

During the verification phase, NVTA staff will conduct multiple eligibility reviews for each application. 

In compliance with the Code of Virginia, any candidate project submitted for funding must be included in TransAction, NVTA’s long-range transportation plan for Northern Virginia.  

NVTA’s process for accepting applications necessitates each applicant’s governing body, typically a County Board of Supervisors or a City/Town Council, has officially endorsed them. The requested amount noted on the resolution(s) can either be a precise amount or a ‘not to exceed’ value. Applications that do not include a governing body resolution or request a higher amount than stated in the governing body resolution, are ineligible. Projects located in multiple jurisdictions require a governing body resolution from all jurisdictions. 

Evaluation

During the evaluation phase, NVTA staff will conduct detailed reviews of each application and prepare summaries of quantitative and qualitative evaluations. NVTA staff will review the project applications, request clarifications, and prepare information for the modeling and other analytical work, including congestion reduction relative to cost calculations. 

Staff from each jurisdiction/agency will be invited to meet with NVTA staff to present their respective applications and to provide an early opportunity for NVTA staff to request clarifications. It is noted that project details may change during the evaluation phase to reflect any updates that are received by NVTA staff.  

Once the evaluation is complete, NVTA staff will share initial findings with select NVTA committees for review and feedback.  Committee meetings are always open to the public. 

• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) 
• Planning Coordination and Advisory Committee (PCAC) 
• Planning and Programming Committee (PPC) 

Public Engagement

During the public engagement phase, community members are invited to provide feedback on candidate projects under consideration for funding. NVTA publishes the full candidate project list along with the evaluation results for the public’s review. Once the official public comment period opens, community members can provide feedback via an online form, postal mail, or voicemail. NVTA will also host a Public Hearing where the public is invited to speak in-person or virtually before Authority members. All public comments received will be recorded.  

Recommendation

During the recommendation phase, NVTA staff develop and present project recommendations to three NVTA committees (TAC, PCAC, PPC), which in turn, provide final recommendations. If the committees decide to alter the recommendations, NVTA staff will make updates before finalizing the recommendations to present to Authority members.  

Adoption

The final step of the Six Year Program process is the presentation of NVTA staff and NVTA committee recommendations to Authority members for review and consideration. Once the Authority adopts the Six Year Program, NVTA staff will publish the final funding program details. 

What Happens After a Project is Adopted in NVTA’s Six Year Program?

• Funding Appropriation: When the project sponsor is ready to begin utilizing NVTA funding, a request for appropriation is made during NVTA’s annual budget cycle. NVTA appropriates the total approved funding amount in that fiscal year’s budget, even though projects typically take several years to complete. 
• Agreement is Signed: The project sponsor and NVTA sign a Standard Project Agreement (SPA). The SPA is a contract for the completion of the project. 
• Reimburse Expenses: NVTA reimburses the project sponsor for approved expenses per the SPA as the project advances. 
• Ongoing Oversight: NVTA tracks progress through monthly status updates provided by project sponsors. Visit the NoVA Gateway for real-time project details and updates. 
• Project Completion & Celebration: Once a project comes to fruition, project leaders typically mark the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony. 
• Public Benefits: Once implemented, the project starts delivering benefits to the public.