The Falls Church City Council voted unanimously tonight to divert $4.125 million in Virginia Department of Transportation funding, originally designated  for its City Center Transportation Plan, to streetscape and landscape improvements that are ready to go on North and South Washington Streets, including at the intersection of Rt. 7 and 29 and some on W. Broad St.

With the City Center plan on indefinite hold due to the recession, the Council took action to free the VDOT “Six Year Improvement Program” money for some “ready to go” transportation-related projects that could have some immediate benefits for the community and for economic development.

“We need to do this to maintain some momentum in public projects,” Councilman David Snyder said. “Putting the money to implementation of existing streetscape and landscape plans will help spur economic development while encouraging bicycle and pedestrian use, helping the environment, and providing better protection from the elements at bus stops. Let’s get going.”