At its November meeting, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) voted to approve the 2016 Amendment to the Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan (CLRP), which includes all regionally significant transportation projects and programs that are planned in metropolitan Washington through 2040. These transportation projects or programs must be included in the plan in order to receive federal funding.

The amendment featured a variety of updates, including:

• I-395 Express Lanes (VA)
• VRE Haymarket Extension (VA)
• Crystal City Transitway: Northern Extension (VA)
• 16th Street Bus Priority Project (DC)
• DC Dedicated Bicycle Lane Network (DC)

While the TPB does not exercise direct control over funding and does not implement projects, it performs a range of activities that promote an integrated approach to transportation development and ensures compliance with federal laws and requirements.

The TPB is required to show that the region will have adequate funds to build the projects listed in the CLRP. In addition, the TPB must make sure that the projects in the long-range plan, taken collectively, contribute to air quality improvement goals for the region.