This Funding Will Help Complete the Lambert Way-Woodman Road Extension & Make Major Improvements at GRTC Transit Stops in Henrico County

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden yesterday signed into law U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger’s legislation that will provide $6,275,000 for Henrico County to move forward with two key infrastructure and transportation projects — the Lambert Way-Woodman Road Extension and new bus shelters at Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) stops in the County.

The major funding — which Spanberger successfully secured as part of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate-passed fiscal year (FY) 2023 end-of-year government funding package — will provide $5,000,000 for Henrico County’s completion of the Lambert Way-Woodman Road Extension. This investment will allow for the creation of a second access point to Glover Park and be directly tied to Interstate 295 and Route 1. In response to increased traffic congestion in this section of Henrico County, this project will ease this congestion and allow visitors to enter and exit more smoothly. Additionally, the road will feature a 10-foot-wide bike and pedestrian path that will connect to a similar path on the extended portion of Woodman Road — and ultimately the Fall Line Trail.

Additionally, Spanberger secured $1,275,000 for Henrico County to construct bus shelters and benches at GRTC transit stops throughout the County. The four main transit corridors in Henrico County are served by more than 200 bus stops — many of which do not have shelters, benches, or ADA-compliant accessibility due to a lack of sidewalks and ramps. This investment would go directly towards the installation of shelters for approximately 31 transit stops in the County and benches for approximately 50 transit stops — as well as installation of concrete pads, ADA access, and trash receptacles.

“Henrico County’s residents, businesses and overall quality of life will benefit greatly from the federal funding to enhance our transit stops with shelters, benches and ramps to ensure ADA-accessibility,” said John A. Vithoulkas, Henrico County Manager. “As a county and a region, we continue to invest in and expand our transit system, and we recognize that the rider experience is just as critical as the location and frequency of routes and stops. Congresswoman Spanberger has been an incredible partner in Washington on this and many other efforts, and we appreciate her leadership and service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the citizens of Henrico County.”

“Henrico appreciates Representative Spanberger’s assistance in securing federal funding for Lambert Way – a critical road project that underscores our commitment to enhancing connectivity and promoting active transportation, recreation and economic development through sports tourism,” said Patricia S. O’Bannon, Chair, Henrico County Board of Supervisors & Representative, Tuckahoe District. “Lambert Way and its accompanying bike/pedestrian path will extend a half-mile between the new extension of Woodman Road and Glover Park. Lambert Way is named in honor of the late-Donald L. Lambert, a Henrico Police captain who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in 2021. Lambert Way is a fitting tribute to Captain Lambert’s life and public service, as it will ensure that pedestrians and bicyclists can travel safely between Glover Park, nearby communities and the planned regional Fall Line Trail.”

“Smart and localized physical infrastructure improvements are a responsible use of federal dollars. As Henrico County contends with busy roadways, an increase in sports tourism, and a higher demand for public transportation, this investment will provide a much-needed solution to address the longstanding infrastructure needs of the county,” said Spanberger. “More than $6.2 million is now headed to Henrico to ease traffic congestion, expand access to Glover Park for an increasing number of visitors, improve public transportation for residents, and further economic growth in the region. I am grateful to the Henrico County officials who worked directly with my office to move these projects forward, and I look forward to seeing these federal dollars make a direct impact in the community.”

BACKGROUND

For FY2023, the U.S. House of Representatives allowed Members of Congress to submit Community Project Funding requests — as it did in FY2022. This allowed for specific, community-driven requests — like the Lambert Way-Woodman Road Extension and Improvements at GRTC Transit Stops in Henrico County. Spanberger worked directly with community leaders in all 10 counties of the Seventh District to gather community-focused requests for her submissions. Click here for the full list of her submissions.

The Community Project Funding process was created to ensure that Members of Congress, in concert with the communities they represent, may submit direct applications for federal funding to support locally planned projects as part of the yearly appropriations process.

To be eligible, projects must be sponsored by local or state government entities or non-profit organizations and must be projects that would otherwise meet the qualifications to apply for federal grant funding. The purpose of Community Project Funding is to ensure direct, local engagement as part of the federal appropriations process. In line with this goal, funding applications needed to demonstrate significant local support for the projects.

Earlier this year, President Biden signed into law funding for 10 Virginia projects that Spanberger successfully secured as part of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate-passed FY2022 appropriations bill.

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