Editing Springfield, Virginia (section)

==Transportation==

===Roads===
Central Springfield is dominated by the [[Springfield Interchange]], popularly known as the "Mixing Bowl" or the "Melting Pot", a name taken from an earlier interchange near [[the Pentagon]]. The interchange includes three [[Interstate Highway System|Interstates]] ([[Interstate 95 in Virginia|I-95]], [[Interstate 395 (District of Columbia–Virginia)|I-395]], and [[Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway)|I-495]]), with two exits less than a half mile apart, and two surface roads—Commerce Street and [[Virginia State Route 644 (Fairfax County)|Route 644]] (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road)—crossing I-95 in close succession. The interchange is further complicated by a separate, reversible [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]] (HOV) facility passing through the center of two of the interstates, which has since been integrated into the region's Express Lanes network.

Built between 1999 and 2007 at a cost of $676 million, the Springfield Interchange Improvement Project was finished on time and on budget, according to the [[Virginia Department of Transportation]], and was officially dedicated on July 18, 2007, by Virginia Governor [[Timothy M. Kaine]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bowl-ed over|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/jul/19/bowl-ed-over/|access-date=15 April 2018|work=The Washington Times|date=19 July 2007}}</ref>

As of the 2020s, the interchange handles over 430,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest highway junctions in the Mid-Atlantic region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Springfield Interchange|url=https://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/springfield-interchange.asp|website=Virginia Department of Transportation|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref> To accommodate growing demand and improve traffic flow, recent upgrades have included:
* Integration of Express Lanes: The reversible HOV lanes have been incorporated into the dynamically tolled I-95 Express Lanes system, extending south toward Fredericksburg and connecting north to I-395 Express Lanes toward Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|title=95/395 Express Lanes|url=https://www.expresslanes.com/|website=Transurban|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>
* Pedestrian and bicycle improvements: Fairfax County has implemented plans to improve crossings and create safer pedestrian and bicycle connections across Route 644 and Backlick Road, with long-term goals of encouraging mixed-use development near Springfield Town Center and Franconia–Springfield station.<ref>{{cite web|title=Springfield Community Business Center Revitalization|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/springfield-cbc|website=Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

Other major roads serving the Springfield area include:
* [[Virginia State Route 644 (Fairfax County)|VA Route 644]] (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road)
* [[Backlick Road]]
* [[Rolling Road (Fairfax County, Virginia)|Rolling Road]]
* Commerce Street
* [[Fairfax County Parkway]] (VA 286)

These roads support both commuter and freight traffic and are closely tied to Springfield’s economic development and transportation planning.

===Mass transit===

====Rail====
[[File:Covered walkway at Franconia-Springfield Metro Station seen from the parking garage.jpg|right|thumb|[[Franconia-Springfield (Washington Metro)|Franconia–Springfield Metro Station]]]]

Springfield is served by two major commuter rail systems that provide connectivity to Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia suburbs.

* The [[Virginia Railway Express]] (VRE) operates two stations in Springfield on its [[Fredericksburg Line]]:
** [[Backlick Road (VRE station)|Backlick Road station]] offers limited weekday service and is primarily used by local commuters from North Springfield and Ravensworth. It includes a small parking lot and sheltered platform.<ref>{{cite web|title=Backlick Road Station|url=https://www.vre.org/service/stations/backlick-road/|publisher=Virginia Railway Express|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>
** [[Franconia–Springfield Station]] is a full-service regional hub shared by VRE and the Washington Metro. It includes a large parking garage, kiss-and-ride area, bus bays, and bicycle facilities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Franconia–Springfield Station|url=https://www.vre.org/service/stations/franconia-springfield/|publisher=Virginia Railway Express|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* The [[Washington Metro]]'s [[Blue Line (Washington Metro)|Blue Line]] terminates at the [[Franconia–Springfield (Washington Metro)|Franconia–Springfield station]]. The Metro station provides access to downtown Washington, Arlington, the Pentagon, and connections to the Yellow and Orange Lines.<ref>{{cite web|title=Franconia–Springfield Metro Station|url=https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/franconia-springfield.cfm|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

====Bus====
Springfield is a transit hub served by several local, regional, and intercity bus services:

* [[Fairfax Connector]] provides local and express bus routes connecting Springfield to Burke, Lorton, Tysons, and the Franconia–Springfield Metro station. Notable routes include 306, 321/322, and 334.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fairfax Connector Schedules|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/schedules|publisher=Fairfax County Department of Transportation|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] (WMATA) operates several Metrobus routes through Springfield, including 18G/H/J, 17M, and 29K/N, which connect to the Pentagon, Landmark Mall, and Old Town Alexandria.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrobus Maps & Schedules|url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/|publisher=WMATA|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* [[OmniRide]], operated by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, offers commuter buses between Prince William County and the Franconia–Springfield Metro station, primarily during peak hours.<ref>{{cite web|title=OmniRide Express Schedules|url=https://omniride.com/service/express/franconia-springfield/|publisher=OmniRide|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* [[BestBus]] provides intercity service to New York City with occasional seasonal stops in the Springfield area, depending on demand and ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web|title=BestBus – About Us|url=https://www.bestbus.com/about-us/|publisher=BestBus|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] operates regional and long-distance bus services from the Franconia–Springfield Transit Center, with direct routes to Richmond, Raleigh, and New York.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greyhound – Franconia–Springfield Station|url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-station-760460|publisher=Greyhound|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

The Franconia–Springfield Transit Center serves as a multimodal hub integrating Metro, VRE, Fairfax Connector, Metrobus, and intercity services. It is part of Fairfax County’s ongoing plans for transit-oriented development in the Springfield Community Business Center.<ref>{{cite web|title=Springfield Community Business Center Plan|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/springfield-cbc|publisher=Fairfax County Government|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

===Airports===
Springfield is served by three major commercial airports and several smaller regional airports suitable for general aviation and military-connected travel.

* [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] (DCA) is the closest commercial airport, located about 13 miles northeast in Arlington County. It is the most convenient option for domestic flights and short-haul business travel, with service by all major U.S. carriers. It is accessible via the Washington Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|url=https://www.flyreagan.com/dca/about-dca|publisher=Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* [[Washington Dulles International Airport]] (IAD), about 27 miles northwest in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, is the primary international gateway for the region, with nonstop service to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Since November 2022, it has been served by the Washington Metro’s Silver Line.<ref>{{cite web|title=Washington Dulles International Airport|url=https://www.flydulles.com/iad/about-dulles|publisher=MWAA|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Metro’s Silver Line extension to Dulles opens after years of delays|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/15/metro-silver-line-extension-dulles/|work=The Washington Post|date=November 15, 2022}}</ref>

* [[Baltimore–Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport]] (BWI) is located about 40 miles northeast in Linthicum, Maryland. BWI serves as a major hub for Southwest Airlines and offers both domestic and limited international service. It is accessible via Amtrak and MARC rail at the BWI Rail Station, with shuttle service to the terminal.<ref>{{cite web|title=About BWI|url=https://www.bwiairport.com/about-bwi|publisher=Maryland Aviation Administration|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

====Regional and military-accessible airports====
Several smaller regional airports serve the Springfield area and are commonly used for general aviation, private aircraft, and Space-Available (Space-A) military flights:

* Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), located about 25 miles west of Springfield, is the largest general aviation airport in Virginia. It supports charter flights, corporate jets, flight training, and private aircraft, with full-service fixed-base operators (FBOs) and U.S. Customs availability upon request.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manassas Regional Airport|url=https://www.manassasva.gov/airport/index.php|publisher=City of Manassas|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* Davison Army Airfield, located within [[Fort Belvoir]], just south of Springfield, is a U.S. Army airfield that occasionally supports Space-A military flights. Access is limited to DoD cardholders, and travelers must check with the Joint Base Andrews or Fort Belvoir passenger terminals for availability.<ref>{{cite web|title=Space-A Air Travel – Military OneSource|url=https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/new-to-the-military/space-available-travel-what-you-need-to-know/|publisher=Military OneSource|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

* Joint Base Andrews (ADW), located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, approximately 25 miles from Springfield, serves as a major hub for Space-A travel and military charter flights. It also hosts VIP and Air Force One operations. Service members, retirees, and their families can register for Space-A flights depending on mission availability and category.<ref>{{cite web|title=Passenger Terminal – Joint Base Andrews|url=https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/Terminals/CONUS-Terminals/Joint-Base-Andrews-Passenger-Terminal/|publisher=Air Mobility Command|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

These general aviation and military facilities offer additional flexibility for Springfield residents, particularly military families and federal employees who frequently travel on official or leisure status.