What’s Happening on Richmond Highway? Updates on Transportation, Demolition, and Bus Rapid Transit

By: David Griffin, Marketing & Communications, Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Transportation is one of the most important factors driving economic development, and in southeastern Fairfax County, significant investments are being made to improve mobility and support local business activity along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Fairfax County has committed nearly $1 billion to transform this vital stretch of Route 1, with significant progress already underway to make way for a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system known as The One. If you’ve noticed buildings coming down recently, you’re not alone—those demolitions are part of a strategic and forward-looking plan to reshape the region’s future.

Demolitions Pave the Way for Transit Growth

In a public meeting held earlier this year, Fairfax County transportation officials reported that nine buildings have already been demolished to prepare for the BRT. Another 21 structures are slated for demolition by the end of 2025, including a mix of commercial and residential properties. These efforts are part of a broader right-of-way acquisition process that will eventually clear space for construction, expected to begin in 2028.

Commercial and residential parcels already fast-tracked for acquisition include hotels, banks, a pet hospital and more. The county has already acquired 37 parcels of land, with more on the horizon, according to Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) planner Vanessa Aguayo. These demolitions may be bittersweet for some, but they represent the early phase of a transformative infrastructure upgrade that’s set to benefit residents and businesses alike for decades to come.

Introducing “The One” – Bus Rapid Transit

So what’s replacing these properties? A state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transit system that promises to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and support economic revitalization along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Nicknamed The One, this system will feature:

• Dedicated bus-only lanes
• Nine modern BRT stations
• Fully electric buses
• Improved pedestrian and bike infrastructure

The BRT project is being split into two segments:

• Fairfax County will oversee the section from Huntington Metro Station to Sherwood Hall Lane.
• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will manage the segment from Sherwood Hall Lane to Fort Belvoir as part of its own Richmond Highway widening initiative.

Together, these efforts are expected to reduce construction time by 16 months and keep the overall project on track for completion in 2033.

What It Means for Local Businesses

As Richmond Highway continues to evolve, local businesses have a major opportunity to grow alongside this infrastructure investment. Improvements to roads, transit, and walkability not only help employees and customers get around more easily, they also increase property values, attract new development, and make the region more appealing to employers of all sizes.

In fact, transportation infrastructure is one of the top reasons companies choose to expand or relocate. With BRT and road widening in progress, southeastern Fairfax County is positioning itself as a forward-thinking, business-friendly destination.

Learn More at Our September Business Breakfast

Want to hear directly from the experts? Join us at the September Business Breakfast for a full update on Richmond Highway’s redevelopment:

Thursday, September 11, 2025
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria

Speakers include:

• Dan Reinhard, VDOT Project Manager
• Vanessa Aguayo, FCDOT Project Manager (invited)