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To express the City Council’s support for and request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to provide funding for the City’s SMART SCALE Round 7 candidate projects for 2026.
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WHEREAS, the policies of the Commonwealth Transportation Board require that a locality applying for funding for a transportation project under the prioritization process set forth in section 33.2-214.1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, submit a resolution of support for the application for such project duly adopted by its governing body;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council hereby expresses its support for and requests the Commonwealth
Transportation Board to provide funding for the SMART SCALE candidate projects to be
submitted in 2026 that are set forth on the document entitled “City of Richmond, VA, Smart Scale Program Candidate Projects for Round 7,” a copy of which is attached to this resolution.
O&R REQUEST
DATE: December 9, 2025 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Bobby Vincent Jr.; Director of Public Works
FROM: M.S. Khara, P.E.; City Engineer
RE: TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SMART SCALE - ROUND 7 PROGRAM AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY CITY AND/OR STATE AGREEMENTS RELATING TO VDOT SMART SCALE - ROUND 7 PROGRAM PROJECTS.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To request the City Council’s approval for the City of Richmond participating and supporting the proposed projects related to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Smart Scale - Round 7 Program, and to authorize Chief Administrative Officer or his designee, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute all necessary City/State agreements relating to such. An approved Council Resolution indicating the Council’s request for participation and support of the identified potential projects is required in order to participate in the VDOT Smart Scale - Round 7 Program.
BACKGROUND: The General Assembly directed VDOT to establish several initiatives aimed at accelerating road construction and providing funding assistance for the improvements to their transportation system. One such initiative is the Smart Scale Program; under which the City of Richmond is eligible. The City has successfully applied for these funds every year since the program’s inception.
A City Council resolution in support of the proposed projects is required to participate in the program. The program will provide funding for construction of certain eligible transportation projects within the City. If project gets funded, a formal City/State agreement will be required by VDOT before the City can begin design and construction of the approved projects. The intent of this resolution is to provide City Council authorization to participate in the program and authorize the CAO to execute all necessary City/State agreements required if the projects are funded.
Virginia’s SMART SCALE (§33.2‐21.4) is about picking the right transportation projects for funding and ensuring the best use of limited tax dollars. It is the method of scoring planned projects included in VTrans that are funded by HB 1887. Transportation projects are scored based on an objective, outcome‐based process that is transparent to the public and allows decision‐makers to be held accountable to taxpayers. Once projects are scored and prioritized, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has the best information possible to select the right projects for funding. More information about the SMART SCALE project prioritization process, including a technical guide for applicants, is available at www.vasmartscale.org <http://www.vasmartscale.org>.
VDOT’s Smart Scale program has provided approximately $350M in the first six rounds of the program to the City of Richmond projects. No city match is required; however, leveraged funds boost the ranking as the City projects compete with other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Smart Scale program allows maximum of 10 projects to be submitted by the locality. The list of potential projects (attached) is estimated at $475million. Estimated cost may change after VDOT review and with the use of VDOT Project Estimating software.
The deadline to submit the City’s pre-applications to participate in the Smart Scale Round 7 Program is April 1, 2026, with final VDOT approved applications to be submitted on August 1, 2026. Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will adopt and fund the selected projects in June 2027. Approved funding will be available in FY32/FY33.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: A formal public hearing of this paper will be conducted through City Council’s Land Use and Transportation Committee. Previous public hearings on several project applications that are being resubmitted were held during Smart Scale Round 6 process. The Department of Public Works recommends approval of this resolution.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Richmond 300 Master Plan; Richmond Connects; No other governmental entity needs to review.
FISCAL IMPACT: None. Not participating in this program eliminates the possibility of receiving up to $475M through FY32/FY33 if City projects are selected for these important Capital Improvement Projects. Approved funds are 100% reimbursable.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: February 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: February 23, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee meeting (February 17, 2026).
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Public Works; Law Department; Planning & Development Review; Public Utilities; Assessor; Finance; Budget and Strategic Planning; Economic Development; Fire Department; Police Department; Mayor’s Office; CAO’s Office; DCAO Operation Office; City Attorney Office.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Sample City Resolution for Smart Scale Program Round 7
List of Smart Scale Program Round 7 Candidate Projects
STAFF: Prepared for: Mr. Bobby C. Vincent, Jr., Director, DPW 646-6444
Prepared by: M. S. Khara, P.E., City Engineer, DPW 646-5413
Coordinated by: Michael B. Sawyer, P.E., City Transportation Engineer, DPW 646-3435