Transportation networks do not start and end within a single jurisdiction. In Northern Virginia, there are many regional bodies with representation from Alexandria City Council. Staff also coordinate with these bodies on a variety of initiatives and projects. This page describes these regional bodies and major regional projects and provides links. 

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC)

NVTC serves as a regional forum for discussion and analysis of transit issues that are critically important to our economy and quality of life. Founded in 1964, in part to represent the interests of the Commonwealth during the establishment of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Agency (WMATA), NVTC is charged with the funding and stewardship of WMATA and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), which it co-owns. Because Northern Virginia is also home to six bus systems, NVTC works across jurisdictional boundaries to coordinate transit service.  

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA or Metro)

WMATA provides Metrorail, Metrobus, and paratransit service in the region. The Metro Board of Directors determines agency policy and provides oversight for the funding, operation, and expansion of transit facilities within the Transit Zone. The Metro Board of Directors is composed of eight voting and eight alternate directors. Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and the federal government appoint two voting and two alternate directors each. 

VRE Operations Board 

VRE provides commuter rail service into Alexandria and Washington, D.C. The VRE Operations Board draws its members from each of the nine jurisdictions that fund the commuter rail service, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Those jurisdictions are the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Fairfax and Arlington, and the cities of Manassas Park, Manassas, Fredericksburg and Alexandria. 

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority 

The Authority is responsible for long-range transportation project planning, prioritization and funding for regional transportation projects in Northern Virginia. The NVTA’s policies and priorities are guided by two overarching goals: reduce congestion and move the greatest number of people in the most cost-effective manner.  

Transportation Planning Board 

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for metropolitan Washington. Working with local, state, regional, and federal partners, the TPB coordinates future plans, provides data and analysis to decision makers, and coordinates regional programs to advance safety, land-use coordination, and more. The TPB is housed at and staffed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). 

Learn more about projects in the region sponsored by our partners.