WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to pass the INVEST in America Act, which includes more than $22.7 million in federal resources for Virginia’s Seventh District that U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger successfully secured in the legislation.

The proposed surface transportation reauthorization bill includes more than $22.7 million for transportation and infrastructure improvements in Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Louisa County, Powhatan County, and Spotsylvania County. Spanberger pushed to include these priority projects after gathering feedback directly from Central Virginia community leaders earlier this year.

The INVEST in America Act will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration before being signed into law.

“As Central Virginia rebuilds from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to both address longstanding needs in our communities and maintain the momentum of our economic recovery. These proposed investments in Central Virginia would provide much-needed infrastructure improvements, support good-paying jobs, and foster the right conditions for future economic growth,” said Spanberger. “I am proud to see more than $22.7 million pass in the House today for these key Central Virginia projects, and I would like to thank the many community officials across our district who partnered with our office to help secure these potential awards. These infrastructure investments would help improve the day-to-day lives of our neighbors, keep our businesses running smoothly, and make sure our communities stay connected.”

In order to identify the highest priority local transportation needs in Central Virginia, Spanberger’s office requested project submissions from all 10 counties in Virginia’s Seventh District and from the Virginia Governor’s office. Additionally, her office sought input from the Virginia Department of Transportation and from regional planning organizations that have jurisdiction in Virginia’s Seventh District.

The following “Member Designated Projects” submitted by Spanberger were passed in the U.S. House today: 

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

Project Name: I-95/Willis Interchange Improvements
Project Location: Chesterfield County, Virginia, located north of a large urban development area at the northeast quadrant of Route 1 and Route 288
Project Sponsor: Chesterfield County
Funding Requested: $3,200,000
Funding Included: $3,200,000

Project Name: Transit Enhancement and Expansion Along U.S. Route 1
Project Location: Chesterfield County, Virginia, 7th Congressional District, bus line located along U.S. Route 1
Project Sponsor: Chesterfield County
Funding Requested: $5,861,000

Funding Included: $4,688,800

GOOCHLAND COUNTY

Project Name: I-64 at Oilville Road (Rt. 617) Interchange Improvements
Project Location: The interchange of I-64 and Oilville Road (Rt. 617), Goochland County, VA, 23102, 23129, and 23146
Project Sponsor: Goochland County
Funding Requested: $3,436,000
Funding Included: $3,436,000

LOUISA COUNTY

Project Name: Intersection Safety Improvements at the intersection of Route 22 and Route 780
Project Location: Davis Highway, Louisa, Virginia 23093
Project Sponsor: Louisa County 
Funding Requested: $2,050,000
Funding Included: $2,050,000

Project Name: Intersection Safety Improvements at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 250
Project Location: Three Notch Road, Troy, Virginia 22974
Project Sponsor: Louisa County
Funding Requested: $5,082,700
Funding Included: $5,082,700

POWHATAN COUNTY

Project Name: Red Lane Road/Rt. 60 Intersection Reconfiguration to Continuous Green T
Project Location: The intersection of Red Lane Road (Rt. 628) and Anderson Highway (Rt. 60), Powhatan County, VA
Project Sponsor: Powhatan County
Funding Requested: $3,932,079
Funding Included: $3,145,663

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Project Name: Rt. 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive Intersection Improvement (UPC 110987)
Project Location: Courthouse Rd (Rt. 208) and Hood Drive (Rt. 636), Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Project Sponsor: Virginia Department of Transportation (project submitted by Spotsylvania County)
Funding Requested: $1,151,000
Funding Included: $1,151,000

BACKGROUND

In March 2021, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure announced that it would accept requests for specific highway and transit project designations, as part of its 2021 surface transportation authorization legislation. These requests — known as Member Designated Projects — provide local leaders with the opportunity to identify local surface transportation priorities for potential inclusion in the U.S. House of Representatives’ surface transportation authorization legislation.

To ensure accountability, Members must describe in their request why the requested project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds by detailing the value to the community and the local, regional, and/or state approvals that already support the project. Additionally, Members must affirm that neither the Member, their spouse, nor any immediate family member has a financial interest or the potential for financial gain from any of the requested projects.

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