SMART SCALE

What is SMART SCALE?

Transportation resources are scarce. To distribute limited state transportation funds fairly, transparently, and effectively,
Virginia created a scoring method to determine which transportation projects should receive state funding.
MPOs, localities, planning district commissions, and transit agencies submit projects for state funding consideration.
Projects that score the highest are most likely to receive state funding. The scoring method is known as SMART SCALE,
which is an acronym. SMART stands for: System for the Management and Allocation of Resources for Transportation.
SCALE conveys the key factors used in evaluating a project’s merits: Safety, Congestion reduction, Accessibility, Land use,
and Economic development and the Environment.

How are transportation projects selected for state funding?

Submitted projects are individually and objectively scored based on the project’s impact on specific key factors: safety, congestion reduction, accessibility, land use, economic development, and environmental impacts. After the projects are scored, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) selects the projects that will receive state funding and includes these projects in the state’s Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP).

What are the steps of the selection process?

In a nut shell, localities and entities like FAMPO’s Policy Board determine which of their transportation projects are eligible for SMART SCALE. They then submit their eligible transportation project applications to the state. Next, the state scores and prioritizes submitted projects. Finally, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) uses the scores to select the right projects for funding. The projects are included in the Six-Year Improvement Program and are fully funded through construction.

What is the score based on?

SMART SCALE scores are determined for each transportation project. Scores are calculated by considering how the project impacts the following factors: safety, congestion mitigation, accessibility, environmental quality, economic development, land use and project cost. These factors are weighed differently based on the SMART SCALE category of a region. For a complete understanding of how projects are scored, visit the SMART SCALE website, here.

FAMPO signed a resolution in November 2019 requesting the state move FAMPO from category A to category B which means the factors above will be weighed differently than in the past. Studies have shown this switch will improve our project scores.

What is a SMART SCALE "round?"

A “round” refers to one full SMART SCALE cycle. Currently, there are two years between cycles.  SMART SCALE is fairly new, so round numbers are low. We are currently in round five of SMART SCALE.

Staff are currently working on applications for Round 5. View the latest presentation to learn more. For questions, email Kari Barber at barber@gwregion.org

Further information on SMART SCALE Round 5 can be found here.

Round 4 Project Submissions

Listed below are the transportation projects that have been submitted to the state for SMART SCALE Round 4 consideration for areas within the George Washington Planning District 16. The state has finished scoring these projects and the projects which scored high enough to likely receive funding are indicated by a red asterisk.

  • View all project scorecards and project details here. Fredericksburg District projects start on page 83.
  • You can learn more about SMART SCALE funding for Round 4 here.

Round 4 Project Submissions

* Indicates the project will receive state funding. 

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

  1. Route 208 Operational and Multimodal Improvements *
  2. Exit 126 STARS with VRE Feeder Bus from Route 208 PNR Lot to Fredericksburg VRE *
  3. Garrisonville Road Widening
  4. Lafayette Blvd Study Multimodal Improvements with Transit and Bike/Pedestrian *

George Washington Regional Commission

  1. US 17 Bus STARS Study Improvements *
  2. US-1 Turn Lane Extension & Shared Use Path (STARS)
  3. Onville Road Widening *
  4. US-301/Rte 207 Study Crossover Improvements

City of Fredericksburg

  1. Gateway Boulevard, extended
  2. U.S. Route 1 STARS improvements – Augustine Avenue Intersection *
  3. U.S. Route 1 STARS improvements – Route 3 off-ramp/Spotsylvania Ave improvements *
  4. Idlewild Blvd to VCR Trail Connector *

FREDericksburg Regional Transit

No project submissions

Stafford County

  1. Shelton Shop Road Improvements *
  2. Mountain View Road Improvements (Choptank Road to Stefaniga Road)
  3. Mountain View Road Improvements (Stefaniga Road to Kellogg Mill Road)
  4. US 1 & Layhill Road Improvements

Spotsylvania County

  1. Rte 2/17 Widening from City Line to Shannon Airport Area *
  2. Harrison Road VCR Trail
  3. Rte 1/208 Area Multimodal Improvements
  4. Rte 1/208 Area Multimodal and Revitalization Improvements *

King George County

  1. Route 206/Route 610 (Indiantown Road) Roundabout Intersection
  2. US 301 and Route 206 Quadrant Intersection
  3. US 301 and Port Conway Lane Improvements
  4. US 301 and Route 205 Median U-Turn

Caroline County

  1. Improvements for CHS/CMS/County Park
  2. Rt. 207/639 Improvements
  3. Rt. 207/722 Improvements
  4. Town of Bowling Green & US 301 Improvements *

 

Round 3 Project Submissions

Listed below are the transportation projects that have been submitted to the state for SMART SCALE Round 3 consideration for areas within the George Washington Planning District 16. The state has finished scoring these projects and the projects which scored high enough to likely receive funding are indicated by a red asterisk.

  • View all project scorecards and project details here. Fredericksburg District projects start on page 97.
  • You can learn more about SMART SCALE funding for Round 3 here.

Round 3 Project Submissions

* Indicates the project will receive state funding. 

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

  1. I-95 Exit 126 STARS Study Improvements
  2. I-95 NB Widening & Exit 126 STARS Improvements
  3. I-95 SB Widening: Exit 130 to Exit 126
  4. I-95 SB Widening with Exit 126 SB Aux. Deceleration Lane

George Washington Regional Commission

  1. Route 3 STARS Study Improvements
  2. Rt 3 STARS Study and I-95 off-ramp improvements *
  3. US 17 Bus. STARS Study Improvements and New PNR Lot
  4. I-95 Exit 136, Centreport Pkwy, US 1 & Enon Rd Improvements

City of Fredericksburg

  1. Lafayette Blvd/Kenmore Ave/Charles St Roundabouts *
  2. Dixon Street/Lansdowne Road Intersection Improvements *
  3. S. Route 1/Fall Hill Avenue Intersection Improvements *

Fredericksburg Regional Transit

  1. FRED Transit-Shelters and Benches *
  2. New Commuter Parking Lot on Route 3

Stafford County

  1. Stefaniga and Mountain View Road Intersection Improvement *
  2. Route 1/Enon Road Intersection and Roadway Improvement *
  3. Winding Creek Road Widening
  4. Eskimo Hill Roadway Improvement

Spotsylvania County

  1. Harrison Rd & Salem Church *
  2. Rt 2 & 17 from Lansdowne Rd past Shannon Airport
  3. Rt 1 and Rt 208/Lafayette Blvd
  4. Germanna Point Dr & Spotsylvania Avenue

King George County

  1. Route 301 University Drive/Market Ctr Double RCUT *
  2. Route 301 and Route 3 Median U-Turn Intersection *
  3. Route 206 and Route 218 Right Turn Lane *
  4. Route 301 and Route 206 Median U-Turn Intersection

Caroline County

  1. I-95/207Safety Improvements
  2. Bowling Green Route 301 Corridor Safety Improvements
Round 2 Project Submissions

Listed below are the transportation projects that have been submitted to the state for SMART SCALE Round 2 consideration for areas within the George Washington Planning District 16. The state has finished scoring these projects and the projects which scored high enough to likely receive funding are indicated by a red asterisk.

  • View all project scores here.
  • You can learn more about SMART SCALE funding for Round 2 here. 

Round 2 Project Submissions

* Indicates the project will receive state funding. 

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

  1. Rappahannock River Crossing – Northbound (I-95 CD Lanes)

George Washington Regional Commission

  1. Twin Lake-Kensington Bike/Ped Connector *
  2. Improve Brooke and Leeland VRE Sta, Const PS VRE Station *
  3. New Commuter Parking Lot for Route 3 East (Stafford)

City of Fredericksburg

No project submissions

Fredericksburg Regional Transit

No project submissions

Stafford County

  1. Route 1/Enon Road Intersection and Roadway IMP”
  2. Butler Road Widening
  3. 1/Eskimo Hill Rd/American Legion Rd INT IMP
  4. Decatur Road Reconstruction

Spotsylvania County

  1. Lafayette Blvd and Harrison Road *
  2. Route 208 and Hood Drive Intersection Improvement *
  3. I-95 Exit 126, Route 1 Southbound onto Southpoint Parkway *
  4. Route 208 and Breckenridge Drive Intersection Improvements
  5. Widening of Smith Station Road at Courthouse Road
  6. Bridge over I95 and Widening of Harrison Rd – Salem Church Rd

King George County

  1. Naval Base Dahlgren Turn Lane Extension Route 301 South
  2. 4 Lane Widening (Divided) Rt. 3 East At Rt. 301 Intersection

Caroline County

  1. Chilesburg-Route 738/639 Intersection Safety Improvements *
Round 1 Project Submissions

Listed below are the transportation projects that have been submitted to the state for SMART SCALE Round 1 consideration for areas within the George Washington Planning District 16. The state has finished scoring these projects and the projects which scored high enough to likely receive funding are indicated by a red asterisk.

  • View all project scorecards and project details here.
  • You can learn more about SMART SCALE funding for Round 1 here. 

Round 1 Project Submissions

* Indicates the project will receive state funding. 

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

  1. Rappahannock River Crossing (Southbound) *
  2. Rappahannock River Crossing (Northbound)

George Washington Regional Commission

  1. New Commuter Parking Lot for Route 1 at Commonwealth Drive *
  2. Expansion of Commuter Parking Lot East of Exit 140 on I-95 *
  3. VRE Brooke and Leeland Station Improvements

City of Fredericksburg

  1. Virginia Central Railway Trail Bridge *

Fredericksburg Regional Transit

No submitted projects

Stafford County

  1. Route 1-Courthouse Area Corridor Road Improvements *
  2. Stafford Route 1 at Potomac Creek Drive *
  3. Safety Improvements on Rte 1 @ Woodstock Ln and Telegraph Rd *

Spotsylvania County

  1. Rt 606 West *
  2. Rt 17, I95 Bridge to Hospital Blvd *

King George County

  1. Turn Lane Extension North Bound Dahlgren Naval Base *

Caroline County

  1. Widening of Route 639 Ladysmith Road *